Meet the team!

Aroha Luxury New Zealand Tours is owned and operated by Veronika Vermeulen, the person you can expect to greet you upon arrival in this country. Whether in the company of Veronika or one of her hand-selected guides you will feel personally assured you are in the best hands this country has to offer. This European-born "Kiwi" has earned her tour business an exceptional reputation as a leader in NZ's tourism trade, both here and abroad.

Eden is an AUT graduate focusing on tourism and sustainability with a bachelor's degree in international tourism management. With a background in sustainable consultancy, Eden strives to assist in sustainable and cultural development within Aotearoa's tourism industry. Eden is fascinated by the synergy between nature and humankind, aspiring to preserve natural and cultural environments to amplify the human experience."

Originally from the UK, I moved to New Zealand after seeing the stunning scenery in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I came for a three-week holiday and then moved permanently six months later. I have now called this beautiful country home for over ten years. I have a degree in Business and Tourism and a background in administration and project management, working in both the public and private sectors. I have travelled extensively around NZ and now called Wanaka home, where I live with my partner and two young children.

Mariana was born on a desert farm in Namibia, so she never complains about the rain. "I love the beautiful pure nature and, most of all, the rain in New Zealand, as I know how precious water is." By running her business in Namibia for more than 15 years, she has all the experience to support the team behind the scenes - organising all the logistics and supporting Veronika. "It puts a smile on my face knowing I am contributing to visitors enjoying their holiday."

Since a young age, I Zuzana loved crossing borders and exploring new horizons. So as soon as I finished University, I left home for good and went on a life-long adventure... and after years of travelling, moving, living in various parts of the World, and immersing herself in different cultures, she finally settled here in New Zealand some 15 years ago. I now live in Cromwell, Central Otago. Her background is in education, snowsports, event management and corporate planning. She worked in the top-end luxury tourism market as a travel organiser for six years before becoming a devoted Tour Guide who endeavours to live life to the fullest. Her passions are yoga & well-being, creative arts, nature and travel. Suppose you are looking for a personable, light-hearted, yet professional companion to showcase this beautiful country. In that case, Zuzana is your Driver/Guide, offering private and small group touring services where the focus is ALWAYS on YOU and your wants & needs. 

Steve had a long career as a musician in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, but some years ago, he moved to Wanaka in the beautiful mountains of the South Island. He has driven and guided several companies but now devotes his time to Aroha Luxury Tours and travels all over the country throughout the year. Steve has travelled to many parts of the world and driven extensively all through Europe on countless occasions, but New Zealand is his passion, and he loves to show it to visitors and share his knowledge and stories. He says....." I can't think of a better way to spend a day than with good company and watching beautiful New Zealand passing by!" "We also want Steve to take us on any trips we go on in the future. We can’t imagine a holiday without him helping and organising every tiny detail with us. We can’t imagine life without him. He has made it so relaxing and perfect for us.”

Born in Trier, Germany's oldest city, Jurgen has a passion for history. He enjoyed working with international visitors in his grandparent's B&B on the famous Mosel River from early childhood. He had his first job as a tour guide in Jerusalem, Israel, where he worked as a volunteer with the German Peace Corps. After guiding for twenty years in all continents, Jurgen gained an international diploma in tourism and worked as destination manager for leading German tour operators. "I fell in love with New Zealand on my first visit in 1989 - I have travelled and walked extensively exploring the awesome sights this country has to offer. My passion is to share all I have experienced by guiding small groups. Aroha Tours is a great company “to get off the beaten track” - we offer a backstage pass to this beautiful country with all possible comfort to make your holiday unforgettable." Jurgen lives in Christchurch when not on the road. He is currently studying horticulture and also works as a Nature Guide at the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch. Apart from English and German, he is fluent in French and Spanish and has basic Hebrew knowledge. "On all our trips (3), Jurgen was our guide. He did an awesome job! To say his knowledge of the country is extensive is actually an understatement. But, most of all, his friendliness and humor make him a perfect companion for such a tour",

"New Zealand is the country that finally captured me after travelling and Tour Guiding in some of the most beautiful countries on this planet. My love for the outdoors, my fluency in 6 languages and my vast experience in leading different tours over the past 15 years make me the perfect host for discovering the hidden and most exciting corners of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Even though I was not born in this country, it is a mission and privilege to do all I can to transmit my uncommitted love and passion! As a result, my work has been highly rated by organisations such as National Geographic Television, renowned french guide book Le Guide Du Routard (Sicily), Rough Guides Sicily, as well as VIP customers like Hollywood stars such as Andie MacDowell during private guided excursions in extreme places like the active Volcano Stromboli (Sicily)."

Kristin loves making our Manuhiri (guests to NZ) feel taken care of and ensuring they have fun. Being a tour Guide for many years, she has a genuine enthusiasm for meeting new people, and she loves to share my knowledge of New Zealand. Kristen has lived her entire life in the South Island of New Zealand. She can't wait to introduce you to all my favourite places, people, and scenery. Raised in the art world, married to a Canterbury farmer, Being a Mum to our three adult Children. I look forward to taking you on an incredible expedition here in Aotearoa. 

After many years working as a corporate Accountant, Meghan realised her real passion lay in exploring New Zealand and bringing it to life for others through her photography and adventures. She is head over heels in love with New Zealand. She is passionate about visitors having a truly authentic experience, whether that’s finding an incredible sense of awe in our amazing landscapes or enjoying the activities and cultural experiences that make our country so unique. Despite travelling extensively overseas, she remains convinced that New Zealand is the best country in the world. As an award-nominated landscape photographer, she helps travellers to create their own beautiful photographic memories of their time here. In her words….“I’m happiest when I’m on the road exploring and sharing my love of Aotearoa, and it’s my greatest privilege to see my guests falling in love with New Zealand more every day.

Keni is a fourth-generation Taiwanese-born, New Zealand-raised Kiwi; he landed in Aotearoa with his family in the summer of 89’. Keni majored in business and marketing and has almost 20 years of career experience as a senior executive and corporate consultant in many Asia Pacific countries. Growing up in New Zealand has made him an adventurer, practitioner, and explorer. He is ridiculously Epicurious and has a great loud voice; he loves music and enjoys singing in his leisure time. Keni’s outgoing character makes him fun to be around, and his pursuit of exceptional quality and service standards makes him ideally placed with Veronika and Aroha Tours.

I'm James Beckett, the heart and soul behind Manawa Tours. My journey is deeply rooted in a profound passion for my Maori heritage and an intrinsic connection to the land of Aotearoa. This connection isn't just a part of my professional life; it's woven into the very fabric of my being. In my spare time, you'll find me immersed in our oceans and forests' natural beauty, hunting and gathering, diving, and fishing. These activities are more than hobbies for me – they are a way of life, a means to sustain, and a path to stay connected with the ancient practices of my ancestors. I am blessed with a young whanau and a family that is my world. One of my deepest desires is to pass on the knowledge and traditions of our people to my children. We were raised with the ethos of living off the land, respecting its bounties, and understanding its cycles. I am committed to imparting this wisdom and way of life to my kids. My passion extends beyond my personal life into my professional endeavours. At Manawa Tours, I have the privilege of teaching and showing our guests the beauty and depth of Maori culture. It's an honour to share the practices of sustainable living, the richness of our traditions, and the stories of our land with visitors from around the world.

We are Tangata Tiriti here in Aotearoa and are the founders of Tiaki Tours. We are Enger Pelosi Fear and Michael Hygemann based in Hāwea, Wānaka, Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island of NZ). We are committed to the nation's Tiaki Promise and the concept of regenerative tourism. We believe that tourism can do a lot better in terms of giving back to  Tangata Whenua and the land of Aotearoa and Te Waipounaumu.  Our aim is to honor our commitment to this beautiful place as lifelong kaitiaki of place, whenua, and all activities we engage in as a newly established business.

Today, New Zealand Wine Navigator is America’s #1 New Zealand wine specialist, satisfying wine lovers across the United States with special, hard-to-find New Zealand wines from small, family estate producers. We ship the wine in bulk to a temperature-controlled warehouse in California ready for quick and cost-effective delivery to your home or office. Graham set out to source the finest small-producer wines New Zealand has to offer. Small production, premium, family estate wines were the benchmarks. We work in partnership with our wineries to help them get their wines to the world because small, local production is the backbone of New Zealand’s economy. To achieve the perfect selection of wines in our portfolio, we enlisted the help of Cameron Douglas, our Master Sommelier. His carefully curated selection of premium labels from New Zealand is ready for you to drink now or cellar. If you are after exceptional wines from small out-of-the-way winemakers from a small, out-of-the-way country, you’re in the right place!

One of his earliest childhood memories is my parents showing visitors from overseas around our sheep farm near Dunedin. With this background, the great outdoors and international visitors have always been part of his life. He is also a professional photographer and has been published in many magazines, guide books, calendars. His team appreciates how very, very lucky we are to call New Zealand home and consider ourselves fortunate to be able to share some of Wanaka's hidden scenic and historical secrets to visitors from all over the world. Not a day goes by where he doesn't stop and appreciate the simple pleasures of living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

His history has always been about adventure. He spent my youth with either a rod or rifle, skis or scuba in hand, which developed his love and need for the outdoors. He started working on boats from the tender age of 12 while growing up in Taupo was special. As soon as he was old enough, he sat his skipper's ticket. Having spent 20+ years as a deer hunting guide, thousands of hours chasing game fish and diving around the Pacific, or being up one of the many spectacular rivers fly fishing, his passion has always been about being out in the open. Being able to share his love of the outdoors with everyone and the people he loves is just so special.

Chris Brennan was born and bred in the Taupo region of New Zealand's North Island. His knowledge of local fly fishing waters and hunting areas is unparalleled. Chris has been guiding full time since the age of 17 and has forged relationships with large property owners in the area and has access to vast tracts of private land for your enjoyment. It's Chris’ philosophy that people make the experience, with Chris you get someone with a genuinely recognised reputation as a fishing and hunting guru. You also get a young man with a genuine passion, humility, and desire to provide the ultimate experience for his guests.

With over 40 years’ experience in aviation, Hank is a flying enthusiast and one of the longest serving to General Aviation (G.A.) in the area. Growing up in nearby Te Anau, Hank moved to Queenstown in the early ’70s to begin an Aircraft Engineering apprenticeship with Mt Cook Airlines (now owned by Air New Zealand). Like many kids, however, the dream was always to pilot the machines he so meticulously cared for. During the ’80s and ’90s Hank flew for the Hollyford Tourist Company and Mt Cook Airlines, sharing his passion for the Fiordland outdoors with the travelling public. In the year 2000 he and wife, Kerrie, took sole ownership of Air Milford calling on all of their business skills to develop the company into the successful, 5-aircraft operation that it is today. Hank has not lost sight of his goal to offer personalised sightseeing tours, which is reflected when customers are personally shuttled to the airport by Kerrie, and quite often share the privilege of flying with Hank.

Phil was born and brought up in the UK and moved to New Zealand almost 10 years ago, beginning his flying career in the hills and over the ocean at Kaikoura on the South Island’s East coast. A love of mountains since childhood steered him towards the scenic mountain flying that he now enjoys every day with Air Safaris, one of New Zealand’s original and largest scenic charter companies. Phil came to Air Safaris in 2006, and considers he has struck gold with a job that he loves, working with a great team in a place that he wants to live! "The constantly changing weather patterns, the beauty and excitement of the terrain and the mixed fleet of fantastic aircraft are key attractions of the job, and the fact that our passengers are having a great time makes for a very happy environment in the aircraft cabin! Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realise how good I have it!"

Sandro is a professional athlete, crowned top 5 at Mr. Universe in Brazil 2017, and has been involved in the wellness industry for over 20 years. He is passionate about changing other people’s lives. Sandro specialises in restorative breathwork, for Elite Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and anyone, young or old, experiencing any type of Trauma in their lives. Allow yourself to dive deep and discover a version of yourself you never knew existed. Experience the benefits and application of a full, deep, connected being. Sandro is an award-winning wellness coach with over 16 professional qualifications, crowned top 5 Mr Universe, professional physique athlete in 2017. He is the creator of Sandro-mota breathwork, and has helped thousands of clients throughout his career.

After stepping up to a bigger kart, he soon achieved respectable results, both regionally and nationally. Some of his notable results were South Canterbury Champion and runner-up in the South Island Championships two years running. Then, at the age of 10, he progressed to purpose-built tarmac karts, a totally different level, based out of Carrs Road in Christchurch. All the karts were identical, and weight restrictions were imposed to make the competition as close as possible. Hayden thrived on the challenge, though, and was immediately at the front of the field. He managed 3rd in the Canterbury Champs in 1997, followed by becoming Canterbury Champion in 1998, and then runner up in the 1999 Canterbury Club Championship (consisting of 10 months of competition). He was PWRC world champion in 2011 and won the New Zealand Rally Championship in 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2018.

A young couple, who due to their passion for flying planes, met as commercial pilots, flying fixed-wing aircraft in Wanaka. They specialised in mountain flying training, flying over the rugged Mount Aspiring National Park and Haast UNESCO World Heritage area, and passing on survival skills to pilots. Ruth and Wayne previously owned a scenic flight and flight training company in Wanaka for 14 years. They often gazed down at the magnificent West Coast landscape that they were flying over and in 2007, a chance meeting lead them into the world of backcountry jet boating, and Waiatoto River Safari was formed