Karen Stuart

As a fifth generation "coaster" (resident of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island),  Karen loves introducing travelers to her home island and sharing her turangawaewae (Maori for place of being). With a background in the non-profit sector helping sustainable housing, environment, and community projects, Karen brings unique insight during our explorations and is a wonderful travel companion both on and off the trails. Karen splits her time between Queenstown and Hokitika, and when she's not guiding, enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, kayaking, and paddle boarding, as well as riding her horse along expansive and unpopulated beaches near Hokitika or exploring the hills with her border collie, Dot, by her side.