Adrift: Our Story
We are an outdoor adventure guiding company, based out of Taupo and Ruapehu located in the centre of the North Island.
We specialize in trekking, hiking and canoeing adventures throughout the Whanganui and Tongariro National Parks, including New Zealand’s best day one-day walk, The Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the famous Whanganui River. We operate all year, summer and winter and whether you’re a novice or keen adventurer we have a tour to suit.
Professionally we have had 21 years of experience and personally far more with qualified instructors. Adrift is qualified and is registered with NZ Worksafe DoC Qualmak and has yearly 3rd party external safety audits. Our guides will ensure your safety whilst explaining the geography, history, culture and flora and fauna of the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks, and New Zealand.
We guide every day with wind, rain, snow and even brilliant sunshine. All tours depart from the Adrift Tongariro base, 53 Carroll St, National Park Village. Our base – on the border of both National Parks, has its own shop, bathrooms and retail.
Meet Our Guides
Get to Know the People Behind the Adventure
Our guides are the heart of everything we do here at Adrift Tongariro. They’re passionate about the outdoors, have rich local knowledge, and love sharing their favourite tracks and stories. Get to know the people who lead the way — what they enjoy most about guiding, their connection to this incredible landscape, and a few things you might not expect.
Stew
Mountain Man & Chief of the Pack
Known locally as “The Mountain Man,” Stew has completed the Tongariro Crossing over 3,000 times. “I can’t imagine ever tiring of walking the Crossing and see it through new eyes every time we guide a group of trekkers.”
He had a life-changing moment on a 20,000-foot peak in the Andes and, soon after, moved to National Park to turn his passion into a way of life. Since founding Adrift, he’s built a team of passionate guides who share his love for the outdoors. Stew is known for his love of the wild and admits, “I’ve always had a reputation of going down ‘no exit’ roads to see what’s around the corner.”
When he’s not guiding, he’s out cycling, drinking coffee, spending time with family, or relaxing at home with a view of three mountain peaks. Stew loves the quieter seasons, snow-covered trails, and seeing people of all ages experience the magic of Tongariro. His go-to snack? Carbs — the carrot diet doesn’t make it up the mountain.
Quickfire Q&A
- What made you fall in love with Tongariro / the outdoors?
It gave me the chance to start a new career that combined my love for the outdoors, fitness, and earning a living doing what I enjoy. - Favourite part of the Crossing?
From the top of the staircase to the northern side of Blue Lake — right in the heart of the maunga, away from all the trappings of humanity. - Most memorable guest or tour?
An 82-year-old Japanese gentleman who completed both Tongariro and Ruapehu without a word of English — just an incredible smile. On Ruapehu, he out-slid the young ones in the snow! - Top tip for first-timers?
Slow and steady wins the race.
Kenny
Tiaki of The Tongariro
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Taupo-nui-atea te moana
Kia Ora I’m Kenny
From Kakahi / Taumarunui, Kenny brings true local knowledge to his guiding. He has been guiding with Adrift Tongariro since 2017, following 12 years as a Tiaki Ranger in both Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks. “I love sharing the Ketetahi side of the Crossing and believe in taking it slow and steady — safety always comes first, take no risks.”
One of his most memorable experiences was guiding an 89-year-old woman and her 85-year-old brother across a winter Crossing.
When he is not on the track, you’ll find him camping with whānau, hitting the gym, running, mountain biking, and celebrating Māori culture. His go-to snack? Four boiled eggs. One word to describe Tongariro: magical.
Leah
Mountain Motivator
Originally from Tauranga, Leah now calls Ohakune home with her husband and two young girls. Her path to guiding began through fellow guide Ant, whom she met at Parkrun. After mentioning she’d love to join him on the Tongariro Crossing, his response was simple: “Why don’t you come and be a guide?” A few shadow tours later, she was hooked.
Leah’s love of the outdoors started young and eventually led her to Mt Ruapehu at 16. Snowboarding brought her back weekend after weekend, before trail running, hiking and mountain biking made the region a year-round playground. For Leah, guiding combines two things she loves most — movement and nature — while giving her the privilege of sharing Tongariro with others.
Off the track, Leah is usually outdoors with her family, snowboarding, skiing, trail running, mountain biking or practising yoga. She also works for St John Ambulance and is an aerial yoga instructor. One word for guiding in Tongariro: extraordinary.
Quickfire Q&A
- Favourite part of the Crossing?
The valley before Soda Springs, the view from Red Crater, and the descent overlooking Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupō. Don’t make me choose just one! - Wish every visitor knew:
The weather can change in an instant. Be prepared and respect the advice of those who know the mountains. - If Tongariro were a person:
Humble, wise, mysterious and beautiful. - Always in her pack:
Wet wipes – carried back out, of course! #mumlife - Go-to hiking snack:
Pure Delish Primal Bars. YUM! - Fun fact:
She’s an aerial yoga instructor. - Top advice:
Every step is worth it. Stay positive and keep moving, steady is strong. - First-timer tip:
Bring easy-to-eat food, plenty of water and light, warm layers. Merino is a favourite.
Ant
The Friendly Pathfinder
Originally from the south coast of England, Ant joined Adrift Tongariro in 2024 after, in his words, “answering an ad and getting handed an ice axe.” With a childhood spent roaming wild, guiding felt like a natural step.
He loves the ever-changing nature of the maunga — weather, colours, people — and is especially drawn to the Mangatepopo Valley, where the shifting light reminds him of a Turner painting. A highlight was guiding a visually impaired guest across the Crossing, an experience he found humbling and inspiring: “She showed so much courage and trust all the way over. Kia kaha to her.”
Off the track, Ant sells houses, trail runs with his dog, adventures in a van with his wife, and paints landscapes. His go-to snack? Homemade energy balls. One word for guiding in Tongariro: privileged.
Quickfire Q&A
- Wish every visitor knew:
Completing the Crossing isn’t a given — many factors come into play. - Top advice:
You have to earn this. Train beforehand and you’ll enjoy it far more. - Always in his pack:
A flip-out Stanley knife. - First-timer tips:
Layer clothing, bring plenty of food, water and a way to communicate – better to have it and not need it.
Luke
Born for the mountains
Born and bred in Waikanae, Luke joined Adrift Tongariro in November 2025 after meeting some of the guides while hiking to see Silver Lake, who encouraged him to join the team.
His passion for the mountains began in 2016 when, as a teenager, he headed into the bush at Ōtaki Forks and ended up climbing his first mountain, Mt Hector. The views and sense of achievement sparked a love of alpine terrain that has only grown since.
For Luke, the best part of guiding is seeing the sense of accomplishment on guests’ faces when they reach the top. And when he’s not guiding? Easy — he’s climbing mountains. One word for guiding in Tongariro: exhilarating.
Quickfire Q&A
- Favourite part of the Crossing?
A clear summit day when the views seem endless and you can see the volcanic landscape stretching into the distance. - Most memorable guests?
A 79-year-old Kiwi couple reaching the top of Mt Ruapehu with tears on their faces, and an 81-year-old Danish boxer who completed the Crossing without breaking a sweat. - If Tongariro were a person:
Moody and shy — often hiding in the clouds before blowing you away with its mighty breath. - Always in his pack:
Scroggin. He’s always hungry. - Go-to hiking snack:
Bumper Bars — but a Gregg’s hot chocolate at the end of a rough day is hard to beat. - Top advice:
H₂O. Stay hydrated. - First-timer tip:
Bring electrolytes and find a steady pace that won’t burn you out.