Meet our guides;
We employ local guides and drivers who intimately know the area for which they call home.
Each guide brings their own stories and knowledge of local history, weather, fauna and wildlife to the track to make your adventure with us memorable and unique.
Summar Tasker
Born and raised on the rugged West Coast, Summar embodies the spirit of Kiwi adventure. She is a well respected Guide across NZ/Australia and is all about getting people stoked on Mother Nature. With a deep-seated passion for the great outdoors, she is your go-to guide for exploring the untamed beauty of the West Coast wilderness.
From the moment you meet her, she exudes a laid-back, easygoing vibe that instantly puts everyone at ease. She brings a friendly and welcoming approach to every hiking excursion (and lots of bad jokes). Summars love for outdoors knows no bounds. Whether she is riding waves in the ocean, riding her motorbike, climbing towering cliffs or embarking on epic hikes, she is in her element. She can't wait to share that zest for life with you on your Paparoa Track experience.
Summar radiates sunshine and always has a big, cheesy smile too. She is also a nature nerd at heart, constantly acquiring knowledge of NZ's flora and fauna. Expect to be bombarded with her fun facts during your hikes. So, if you're looking for an unforgettable outdoor adventure join Summar on a journey through the stunning landscapes of the West Coast, and let her show you the magic of the Paparoa Track.
Trev Hayes
Trev grew up in Queenstown, where his love of the great outdoors, and tramping began. Now, with 40 years of tramping behind him (including multi-day hikes in Norway, Morocco, U.S.A and Spain), he has a wealth of experience under many different conditions.
He has been living in Punakaiki for over 30 years, so has an intimate knowledge of the area’s natural wonders, as well as it’s history and culture. He’s always keen to share his knowledge about the place he loves. Aside from being a tramper, Trev is a keen surfer, gardener, musician, and poet. He holds a BA in English literature and Spanish language, and an MA in creative writing from the International Institite of Modern Letters at Victoria University, Wellington. He has a small book published and another in the pipeline, so don’t be surprised if he occasionally breaks into a recital!
Trev is also the father of a 5 year old daughter, so is active in working to protect and preserve the planet’s remaining wilderness. Being a guide aligns with this passion for conservation, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable outdoor journey with Trev as your guide.
Lauren Dunlay
Lauren has a profound passion and love for the outdoors, focusing her energy on hiking, climbing, yoga and skiing. But most importantly, loves drinking her morning cup of coffee with a beautiful view.
Lauren loves being in nature, surrounded by Aotearoa’s truly unique native fauna and flora - whether that’s spotting the Pekapeka bat (NZ’s only native land mammal), or being amongst the flowering Rimu trees (which only flower every 5-6 years). Being in the backcountry is a genuine joy for her while experiencing life’s simplicity and richness at the same time.
Lauren is currently studying Biological and Environmental Science, learning life’s molecular details, and Earth’s natural processes only grows her love for the outdoors.
With Lauren as your guide, expect to learn plenty about Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna, indigenous knowledge, and how conservation can be such a strong component for mitigating climate change.
Lauren is a self-described plant nerd, who loves all things related to plants including, weaving, eco-dying, foraging, and cooking. She loves learning new things, challenging herself outside of her comfort zone, traveling and meeting new people. Lauren is a deeply compassionate person, that cares for the future of the planet, and all the people that inhabit it. The perfect guide to your Paparoa Track experience.
Ellis Walker
Ellis grew up in the bustling metropolis of Timaru, where the winters are long and they raise them strong. He grew up a sporty chap, never too far from a footy field or basketball court.
While doing his apprenticeship as a painter decorator, Ellis did some work painting in Fiordland, where he fell head over heels for the beauty the National Park had to offer. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, he moved down to Queenstown where he worked 5 seasons as a guide and lodge attendant on the Milford & Routeburn Tracks.
During his time working in Fiordland, Ellis gained a real love and appreciation for Aoteroa's unique flora, fauna & natural history and it's a passion he enjoys sharing with as many people as he can. Ellis particularly loves looking & listening out for birdlife when out in the bush! So keep your camera close!
In between seasons on the tracks, Ellis spent time backpacking & hiking around the U.S.A, U.K, France, Spain & Japan. Having explored through Yellowstone & Northern Cascades National Parks, the Scottish Highlands, the Pyrenees and clambering up Mt Fuji Ellis brings a wealth of experience to the guiding team.
Edward Cochrane
Edward is the Owner/Operator of Paparoa Guided Walks, forming the business in 2020. His time is now spent running the operations of the business, but when given the opportunity he is quick to strap the boots on and get out on track. Ed has hiked the full Paparoa Track 43 times (and counting), knowing each bend and corner intimately.
Ed studied a Bachelor of Valuation and Property Management at Lincoln University while on a full golf scholarship, destined to be doing property deals on the golf course before he found himself walking up a different fairway.
When working his summer holidays on the Routeburn and Milford Tracks, Ed developed a deep appreciation for the wild places in New Zealand. The uniqueness of New Zealand’s flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world fascinated him, and developed a thirst for knowledge that will no doubt continue for the rest of his life.
Having had the opportunity to travel the world and guide in unique locations such as the USA’s Yellowstone National Park and in Australia’s Alice Springs, Ed has been able to combine all the favourite aspects of each guiding company he’s worked for in order to create an experience along the Paparoa Track you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Now based in Barrytown, be sure to expect a huge smile from Ed at the pre departure briefing, because he’ll be out of the office for the next 4 days!
