ABOUT US
Based in the South Island of New Zealand - Te waipounamu and New Zealand-owned by Maree Carson and Julian Tovey, we have a deep knowledge and passion for the places we visit. Since 2004, Driftwood Eco Tours have fostered close relationships with locals, who will share their experience of farming, conservation, history, culture and their personal lives.
To thank these rural communities, we support organisation near and dear to our hearts by way of an annual donation.
OUR TEAM
Travel to new places with the Driftwood family.
Our friendly team are all highly trained, with many years experience and research into the fascinating places we tour. We are passionate about creating once-in-a-lifetime, authentic adventures for all our valued customers.
All our guides have current first aid certification and passenger endorsement licenses.
Maree Carson
Co-owner, Customer Service, Tour Logistic & Administration
Growing up on a farm in Whiteman’s Valley, where her parents ran a kennels and cattery, Maree’s childhood was full of outdoor adventures. Her father also operated a fishing charter business in the Marlborough Sounds, where she developed a love for the ocean, spending many weekends catching blue cod and swimming with dolphins.
Maree has always had a passion for travel, with vast experience in the travel industry since 2006, she’s become an expert at planning memorable and well-organised trips. Her attention to detail and ability to create seamless experiences ensures her customers enjoy stress-free journeys. As someone who is visually impaired, Maree brings a unique perspective to her work, ensuring that the trips she arranges are inclusive and accessible for all.
Maree is dedicated to making every trip a success behind the scenes. She enjoys staying active through tramping, running, tandem pack rafting and has even cycled the length of New Zealand with her partner, Julian, on their tandem mountain bike. Together, they’ve explored the beautiful backcountry at their own pace, proving that adventure is for everyone, no matter the challenge.
Maree’s warm approach and passion for travel make her an invaluable part of the team, ensuring that every tour is thoughtfully planned and tailored to provide a fantastic experience.
Julian Tovey
Co-owner, Operations & Guide
Growing up in Nelson, Julian spent his childhood on his mountain bike exploring the backcountry. His love for adventure led him to spend 16 years in South Westland, where he took on a vast array of roles from a Glacier Guide, shuttle driver to a Community Relations role with the Department of Conservation (DOC). He spent his spare time traveling, volunteering for search and rescue, and learning to fly a helicopter. Julian also spent a few seasons working in the Yukon as a gold buyer, melting and shipping gold. In more recent times, he has been the public safety ranger for DOC at Tongariro National Park. His most recent role saw him coordinating search and rescue operations throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific at the Rescue Coordination Centre.
Julian’s diverse background, from glacier guiding to coordinating search and rescue operations, gives him a wealth of experience that makes him an exceptional tour guide. Julian’s approach to guiding is both relaxed and informative, offering guests a unique perspective on the natural beauty around them. Whether leading you through rugged terrain or sharing his wealth of stories, you can be sure you’ll be in safe hands on your journey!
Sam Rutherford
Lead Guide
Sam Rutherford’s extensive rural and farming background forms the foundation of his work with Driftwood’s Eco Tours, especially those exploring the Molesworth and North Canterbury regions. Farming a high-country property at Hanmer Springs until 1987, Sam’s deep ties to the land are a defining part of his approach. The Rutherford family owned the Molesworth property in the 1900s, and Sam, a former president of Federated Farmers, has a wealth of local knowledge to share. Through his tours, he offers guests personal stories and insights about North Canterbury's history and landscapes.
One of Sam’s favourite tours is the St James Horse Sale, held every two years. “I’ve mustered the St James horses and been deeply involved in the process for many years. It’s really my home patch,” he says.
In 1988, Sam shifted gears and spent over three decades in the IT industry before stepping away in 2019. Seeking new adventures, he travelled around the UK for three months in a caravan, which sparked a new passion for touring in New Zealand. These days, Sam’s focus is on exploring parts of New Zealand he hasn’t yet visited. Meeting people along the way and hearing their stories has become a major source of inspiration for him.
Nic Nation
Guide
Nic Nation is the newest member of the Driftwood team. In her previous job as a Marlborough wine tour guide, she met Will while waiting to pick up clients from a cruise ship and was thrilled to be asked to work with him and Rose. Her first tour was to D’Urville Island, where she learned as much as the clients.
“Their different itineraries incorporate all the things I am interested in and love doing. I have a working knowledge of New Zealand flora and fauna but always new things to find in the different areas!”
Nic grew up on Mt Albert Station, a high country property near Wanaka, then spent 28 years farming and raising a family in Hawke’s Bay before moving to Taupo in 2000, where she worked for an outdoor adventure company.
There, she crewed on large charter boats, which took clients from all over the world trout fishing before enjoying their catch no board, cooked on the bbq or as sushimi. Besides fishing, Nic also did clay bird shooting, bar, food and general hospitality work.
“As well as being crew on the boats, hiking guiding was also part of my job description, including bird watching walks. I spent time too as camp mother cooking for hunters at a private lodge out on the Wairarapa.”
In 2018, Nic relocated to Marlborough and found part time work doing trips with Marlborough Wine Tours.
Her interests include photography, hiking out in the hills and bush, boats and fishing, gardening and being involved with two of her children and their families who live in Marlborough.
OUR PROMISE
To provide ‘Sustainable’ Exclusive Experiences in Aotearoa, New Zealand
All our tours are created with sustainability and the protection of our valuable land, culture and wildlife at heart. We show our Manaakitanga through respect, humility, kindness and honesty. Some of the ways we do this include:
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Financial support by sponsoring projects near and dear to our hearts
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Protecting nature and our environment in all we do
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Reducing our carbon footprint by planting native trees
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Partnering with like-minded businesses
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And much more