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About us

First Light Travel was the brainchild of Brent Narbey and Nigel Williamson. Both were passionate about travel and promoting New Zealand as a superb tourist destination, but wanted to do something different from the traditional type of travel - unique itineraries that offered the best activities and experiences New Zealand had to offer, with an educational and cultural element.

After much research First Light Travel was born, and from humble beginnings is now a leader in New Zealand adventure travel.

One part of what makes us unique is that the awesome people that work with us, plus the fact that the guides we use for our hosted tours and our activity advisors are only the best we can find in their fields. Whether they are world famous photographers, oceanographers or Olympic athletes, these characters will ensure your experience is truly unique with an educational spin. Below are just a few of the guides and activity consultants we work with.

Mirjam McLiver
Verity Paterson
Chrissy Sun
Laureen Bourdon
Shelley Kimber
Kirsten Orlandini
Ingrid Visser

Brent Narbey

Brent has been involved in tourism for over 20 years. He owned an agency in London for 7 years (Global Connect Travel) running `high end' adventure tours in East Africa and diving holidays in the Red Sea, along with other activities and destinations around the world.

Nigel Williamson

Nigel has also been involved in tourism for over a decade. Working as a tour guide in Africa, Nigel literally enjoyed it so much that he ran the company – becoming the London based Operations Manager.

After completing his MBA and spending 3 years as a Management Consultant, Nigel felt it was time to get back to the good life - travel!

Mirjam McLiver

If travel could run through someone’s veins then Mirjam would have it! Bought up in Holland, she has traveled extensively and is about to head off to Europe for 5 weeks with hubby and 2 young daughters in tow. Plans include the Bierfest in Munich, Fraulein Maria (Sound of Music) in Salzburg, espresso in Italy, and Rugby in France. Mirjam has worked in travel for over 15 years and wouldn’t consider doing anything else!

Verity Paterson

After selling NZ as a destinaton while working in the UK for seven years, Verity realised it was time to come home and start ticking the list of 'places to see and things to do' herself.

Now with husband, Matt, and three children, organising the ultimate NZ experience has become a passion.

Whether it be skiing holidays in Queenstown and Wanaka, road trips around the South Island or searching for the perfect beach in the Coromandel and Bay of Islands, there is always another adventure in the planning !

Chrissy Sun

Life is all about enjoying it to the max!

Its all about family & friends, good food & wine, and experiencing as much of the world as possible!

Chrissy has a young family, is an avid photographer and has traveled extensively internationally & domestically. She appreciates how lucky New Zealanders really are. “ We have it all in our backyard !”

Laureen Bourdon

Since her childhood, Laureen has been living all around the world: Africa, Middle East, South America, Eastern Europe... Originally from France, she came to New Zealand after studying tourism for a few years.

She discovered a stunning country, with heaps of adventures to do and amazing people. Now, her pleasure is to offer travellers the opportunity to fall in love with New Zealand too!

Shelley Kimber

Bitten by the travel bug when she started in the travel industry at the tender age of 17, Shelley has since travelled extensively throughout the world with most recently two years spent backpacking and living in Europe followed by five years in the USA. Whilst in the USA, she worked for several major companies specialising in travel to NZ and Australia before returning home to continue bring people 'down under' to discover the wonders of New Zealand and Australia. Now settled in the sunny Bay of Plenty with a brand new baby All Black in the making, Shelley looks forward to helping you experience the best New Zealand has to offer.

Kirsten Orlandini

Travel, adventure and sport have been a passion of Kirsten's since a young age. These have driven her to lead a varied lifestyle whether it be; working in a ski resort in the USA or running a superyacht based in the Mediterranean. Now back in NZ, with a husband, 1 year old daughter and two dogs life is never dull. However she is still finding time to enjoy and explore what our homeland has to offer.

Ingrid Visser

Born in New Zealand, Ingrid has had a love of the marine environment since a small child. Researching whales and dolphins was always her dream, and after 10 years research she completed her Ph.D. on the New Zealand orca (killer whales). Since then her studies have taken her all around the world to view marine mammals. Join Ingrid for a whale and dolphin trip of a lifetime. Not only will she endeavour to get you up close and personal with a wide range of marine mammals, but she will introduce you to other researchers working on marine mammals. Ingrid will give you hints about how to photograph these stunning animals as well as provide up to date information about the species you are watching. Come and live your dream too!