MEET OUR TEAM
Our friendly team are incredibly passionate about facilitating a once-in-a-lifetime, authentic adventure for all. Get to know more about each member of our team below!
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.
Bob Kingscote
Guide
Bob originally from Christchurch, started working life in the family wine and spirit business, Fletcher Humphreys.
After 12 years in the intense role of marketing and sales, the business was sold and Bob with his wife Mary started farming at Toppesfield, in Waiau, between Kaikoura and Hanmer. They lived, worked and raised their family on the sheep beef and deer farm for an impressive 36 years.
Bob and Mary have recently sold their beloved farm and have now retired to Kaikoura.
Will and Rose were quick to seize the opportunity to bring Bob into the fold of the Driftwood family. Bob’s pursuits when not guiding for Driftwood are playing golf, biking, fishing and spending time with friends and family; including his 7 grandchildren.
Penelope Tee
HQ maintenance
Penelope was raised in Hamilton. Her first job as at the L’Aroma Café Frankton. On the encouragement of her parents, she attended an 8 week course in Barista, graduating with the much sort after ability in the art of making a lifesaving coffee. This skill later was to become an ‘essential service’ for ED doctors at Waikato Hospital when she managed a mobile coffee truck. “Where are you Penelope!”
Working in a range of hospitality businesses from niche cafes to high end restaurants, Penelope completed a management course and went on to run the popular Café Nina on the Esplanade at Whitianga.
Moving with her family to Kaikoura in 2018, she has two fast growing boys Codey and Flynn who keep her on her move.
Penelope hopes to visit Bali again, a place she visited annually when she was a child.
“I am still trying to make that perfect curry”.
Penelope is an essential member of the team, keeping vehicles and the headquarters running in ship shape fashion. Often the cry is heard “Where are you Penelope!"