About Us

Our Team

Andrew Schwass - Trailblazer

Meet Andrew, a qualified joiner and former cricketer who transformed his vision into reality by founding Kiwi Journeys in 2012.  As the driving force behind the scenes, Andrew’s leadership ensures that Kiwi Journeys continues to lead in providing exceptional customer experiences across New Zealand’s South Island. His strengths lie in signage and brochure design, according to him!

Sherie Schwass - Pedal Pioneer

Sherie, an Executive Officer and one of the founding members of Kiwi Journeys, is deeply rooted in the outdoors. She's married to Andrew and is a proud mother of two daughters, Sam and Brea. Sherie's love for biking, family rides, and post-ride coffee chats is matched only by her dedication to helping Kiwi Journeys' customers discover the region's beauty on two wheels. Her perfect workday involves meeting fellow cycling enthusiasts and collaborating with our passionate staff.

Suzanne - Coastline's Champion of Fun


Say hello to Suzanne, our West Coast Operations Maestro! With a whopping 30 years in the tourism biz, she's gone from friendly skies to owning her own backpacker's haven. What was meant to be a year out west turned into two glorious decades, thanks to the irresistible combo of stunning views and Suzanne's unbridled zest.

When she's not masterminding seamless operations, Suzanne's pedaling through life on her bike, turning every corner into a new adventure. Her goal? Crafting experiences that stick to your memory.

With Suzanne leading the charge, you're not just getting a tour; you're getting a front-row seat to her infectious passion and commitment to top-tier fun. So buckle up (or clip in), because Suzanne's here to make your West Coast escapade legendary!

Kobus Barnard - Making Nelson Shine as Our Operations Maestro

Say hello to Kobus, our dynamic Nelson Operations Manager. A Kiwi by choice, he resides in sunny Nelson with his partner and young son. Kobus is on a constant quest for knowledge, embracing every chance encounter and relishing outdoor adventures.

With a solid business background, Kobus is dedicated to enhancing customer satisfaction. His passion for fostering positive experiences is evident in his commitment to both our team and clients. For Kobus, a perfect day involves happy faces among the staff and customers at Kiwi Journeys.

Elize - Kiwi Number Cruncher & Nature Enthusiast

As our Bookkeeper and Office Manager, Elize brings her recent immigrant spirit to the Kiwi way of life. Alongside her partner and son, she's out and about, embracing New Zealand's great outdoors through walks and nature expeditions.

With a seasoned career spanning 15+ years, Elize expertly ensures our accounts are in check and the office runs like a well-oiled machine. From admin to finances, she handles it all with meticulous attention.

But there's more to her than spreadsheets! Elize's dedication to impeccable customer experiences is matched only by her passion for satisfaction. Detail-oriented and driven, she's the guardian of smooth operations and happy customers.

Petra Nugent – Pathfinder and Adventure Compass

Petra brings boundless enthusiasm to our team. With a passion for bikes, people, and exciting escapades, she's always up for an adventure.

As one of our trusty drivers, Petra's knack for storytelling and local insights keeps you entertained while she shuttles you around. Have you booked one of our tours? You have probably read one of her expertly crafted emails, listened to her chatty and insightful phone calls, or maybe both! Her knowledge of the region is seemingly endless, and we are lucky to have this flow into every part of the business.

Ready for unforgettable experiences? Let's create memories!

Lauren Hurley – Pathfinder

Meet Lauren, the heart of our West Coast team. A 6th Generation West Coaster, she's a true local and your connection to this stunning land.

With her husband Hayden and son Jack, Lauren's outdoor adventures are her joy. As a Reservation Specialist and Driver, she thrives on meeting people and spinning captivating tales while showing off her backyard.

Lauren's mission is simple: crafting memorable West Coast Tours! “Working at KJ’s – everyday is different, variety of things to do, awesome clients, amazing scenery while doing my job, most of all, the tight-knit West Coast team, the roars of laughter every day with the girls, can’t beat it! “

Dee Glasgow – Making Dreams Come True

Dee, one of our West Coast Reservation Specialists, has called Hokitika home for 14 years. When not at Kiwi Journeys, she's exploring the local lakes with her partner and daughters, enjoying biking, running, and tennis.

Crafting itineraries for the West Coast Wilderness Trail is her passion, connecting visitors with the region's treasures. Dee's joy comes from meeting you and hearing about your adventures.

"Kiwi Journeys is a bundle of fun – our team is amazing, and our clients are fantastic. Laughter is guaranteed!" says Dee.

Our History

The locally family owned business is operated by Andrew and Sherie Schwass, Glen and Geoff Lovelock, who are passionate about the region and providing first class experiences on two wheels.

In 2011 Andrew Schwass had the vision of starting the operation in Nelson after then Prime Minister, John Key committed to the construction of New Zealand’s, ‘Great Rides’

In 2012 the Mapua Ferry service was purchased for taking passengers and their bikes from Mapua to Rabbit Island. Based on the Mapua Wharf Kiwi Journeys had their first year of operation in 2014/15, hiring out bikes for people wanting to explore the trails on Rabbit Island. They now offer rental services in Nelson where you can enjoy the city trails or explore the Great Taste Trail towards Mapua and Wakefield.

The next step was taken in 2018, when Kiwi Journeys added the West Coast Wilderness Trail to their portfolio, offering a West Coast base to offer a variety of multi-day tours on this amazing trail.

As of October 2023, Kiwi Journeys is now open in Central Otago, where we offer a range of tours on the renowned Central Otago Rail Trail, as well as other historic trails dotted around the region.

Our Achievements

In 2014, Kiwi Journeys won the ‘Business Accelerator’ competition, allowing local businesses to provide their expertise to the tune of $30,000.

The company is committed to environmental issues, ensuring the company and its employees maintain appropriate standards and encourage clients to respect the environment.

Kiwi Journeys is a Qualmark Gold operator. Their annual review stipulates that we maintain excellence in the following areas:

  • Occupational Health & Safety

  • Employment Processes

  • Maintenance of Customer Satisfaction

  • Responsible Tours

In 2021, Kiwi Journeys was a finalist in the 2021 Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience awards. To be recognised for this award, we first needed to achieve the Qualmark Gold Award standard.

To reach the finals, we had to demonstrate excellence in the following criteria:

  • Manaakitanga - showing aroha to guests within your community.

  • Tiaki - guardianship and protection for the people and places under their care.

  • Whānau - looking after those closest to the business, as well as those visiting from afar.

These awards recognise the dedication of Kiwi Journeys to the wellbeing of the people supporting and surrounding us, even through the challenging tourism environment we experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kiwi Journeys aim to make cycling in the region accessible to all. We have a number of E-bikes and Tandems for people with reduced mobility or vision impairments.

Kiwi Journeys have been a service provider for Blind and Low Vision New Zealand (BLENZ).

We are also proud to support the Cancer Society and many Schools around the district.