• Meet our guides

All the guides at Terra & Tide are passionate about our philosophy: helping you to unplug, connect and discover yourself in the great outdoors and doing it all in the magnificent environment of Waiheke Island.

Come and enjoy an eco-tour with us!

Gabrielle Young

At the age of 49, I walked away from my corporate job and I kept on walking – for 400 kilometres on a solo trek through the passes and mountain valleys of the South Island of New Zealand.

That month-long solo walk helped me to clarify my values that would guide me from here and what I wanted to do to align to those values in all areas of my life. The self I discovered on that walk was open-hearted, connected to herself and nature, and didn’t need or want to be a warrior woman anymore. She was in the present moment and without fear.

I found that there were new ways to use my professional skills. I could do work that was more inspiring, that helped others to feel good about themselves and to discover for themselves the healing power of connecting to nature and following their dreams.

And that’s how Terra & Tide was born.

Cindy Peterken

Cindy runs the local theatre company as a theatre director and drama teacher, and puts those skills to use as a guide! Cindy has also been an expedition leader internationally previously and is an experienced sailor and hiker.

She likes sharing the beautiful island she lives on with people from all over the world.

Lucy Hawkins

Lucy is a nurse guide and keen hiker. She has previously guided in the new forest in the UK and has chosen to make Waiheke her home post pandemic.

Maria Heer

Maria adores guiding our guests and always gets fabulous reviews!

Maria is a long time island resident (she grew up on the island) and has worked on the island as a biology, viticulture, sea sports teacher and business owner.

Maria owns her own catamaran, she is also a member of the Coast Guard and responsible for the Waiheke unit training.

Maria sometimes cruises on Pacific Star as well as working as a guide with all our other tours.

Justine Steel

Justine has been living on Waihele island for many years but grew up on the nearby island of Great Barrier (Aotea).

She is known as a committed and caring guide with a deep knowledge of Waiheke and the Hauraki Gulf, including history. culture, flora and fauna.

Nicky Kukulka

Nicky has been guiding with us for the past season and has a very extensive background in graphic art and business ownership.

Nicky has made Waiheke her home now for several years having moved here from Byron Bay.

Dell McInnes

Dell McInnes (Ngati Paoa) – Dell enjoys using her fabulous hosting skills to show our clients the best of Waiheke.  Dell guides our walks, cultural and private personalised tours.

Dave Black

Dave is an experienced skipper who has worked with super yachts in the mediterranean and is currently working in the maritime museum skippering their classic boats.

Dave is also a member of the local Coastguard and loves nothing more than getting out on the water in the Hauraki Gulf.

Tyler Rowe

Tyler Rowe (Ngati PorouTe RārawaNgati Paoa) loves guiding our guests on our walking and cultural tours. Tyler has commenced learning Te Reo Maori, is passionate about nature, our beautiful island and sharing her own experience as tangata whenua.

  • star rating  Perfect day away from the Hustle and Bustle - We really enjoyed the stunning views and bays of Waiheke isl. Tyler guided us during the walk and shared her great knowledge about the beautiful nature. Towards the end of... read more

    Enjoylifetooshort
    6 March 2023

    star rating  Fabulous private tour with vineyard lunch - Our day with Nicky was wonderful! We were excited to find out it was a private tour! Nicky drove us all around the island and showed us so much in... read more

    marioshay
    1 March 2024

    star rating  Wonderful experience on Waiheke Island! - Although the weather was dull with light rain at the beginning of our hike, our wonderful guide Tyler engaged our attention right away with her knowledge of the flora and... read more

    John M
    26 February 2023
  • star rating  A rewarding hike. - We really appreciated the knowlege of Gabrielle about the island, its history and the flora and fauna of the area. We learned so much about the positve steps NZ... read more

    BCistg
    25 February 2023

    star rating  Nature and wine - We, a couple, had a nice walk with Cindy. She explained a lot of interesting facts about the plants, birds and the Māori culture. After the walk we got a... read more

    sjoukjeR
    6 March 2024

    star rating  Sailing Waiheke with Blue Penguins - My husband and I had such a lovely time touring the islands around Waiheke for our honeymoon! Bruce and Gabrielle were such lovely hosts and we had an amazing time... read more

    Anston25
    11 March 2023
  • star rating  A fun way to meet some nice people and enjoy the lovely island.
    So much beautiful and creative art to see!
    A great way to tour around some different areas... read more

    Jo S
    21 April 2024

    star rating  The perfect way to explore the Hauraki Gulf - We had a fabulous day out on board Pacific Star with skipper Bruce and walking guide Lucie. Can’t think of a better way to explore and learn about the history... read more

    AniHaf
    6 March 2023

    star rating  Nikki was fantastic- her knowledge of the island & her delightful personality made the day very enjoyable. We were blessed with stunning weather & Nikki showed off the best of... read more

    B195
    15 March 2024
  • star rating  Great Tour of Waiheke Island! - We had most of a day to devote to touring Waiheke island and Gabrielle was an EXCELLENT guide! Very accommodating to our schedule, very knowledgeable about the island, a... read more

    Rick S
    7 March 2023

    star rating  WAIHEKE FUN DAY - It was a great day of a hike, pi cnic on the beach and because we requested it , wine tasting..Justine was knowledgeable, pleasant, accomodating and just a fun day.

    GerriMolin
    15 March 2024

    star rating  Really knowledgable local guide and beautiful walk. Local history, geography, flora, fauna and current regeneration projects. Well worth it.

    EmmiTYR
    1 April 2023
  • star rating  A great day out - I really enjoyed my day out. Lucie was a great guide, offering lots of information about the history of the island and the flora and fauna. The meet and greet... read more

    Surreyonsea
    1 March 2023

    star rating  Excellent four and introduction to Waiheke Island. - Fantastic tour! Walking and hiking with coastal views, and on a trail through the forest. Then an absolutely delicious picnic lunch on the Mudbrick winery estate before a lovely... read more

    karenbQ4590RK
    3 March 2023

    star rating  Sailing - Fab journey, Bruce and Gabrielle great hosts
    Anchored up and swam, not much wind but all good, great food :)

    Bazzacam
    27 February 2023
  • star rating  Incredible day on the catamaran with Bruce - My wife and I had the BEST day out on the water with Bruce this February. We booked rather last minute, but Bruce and Gabrielle were incredibly accommodating and provided... read more

    OnAir40077127244
    17 April 2024

    star rating  Nydia was a lovely tour guide. The scenery was amazing. We had a tight schedule due to a flight and they modified the tour time to accommodate us. Great people... read more

    Abbey B
    4 March 2023

    star rating  Great day on Waiheke Island with Lucie - had an excellent day hiking around the headlands with Lucie!!!! Had a nice orientation before we headed out and spent the morning hiking around the beautiful headlands of the... read more

    O9524BGjohnp
    11 March 2024
  • star rating  Beautiful Day on Waiheke - I had the best day touring Waiheke Island with Maria of Terra & Tide. We discussed my interests when we met and she tailored the day to fit... read more

    Maps240818
    6 March 2024

    star rating  Waiheke wonderland - My husband and I had splendid tour with Nicky who really did show us the best of Waiheke Island. We had several wine tastings, a super lunch and enjoyed many... read more

    Johanna E
    1 March 2024

    star rating  A Day on Waiheke Island - We had a wonderful day on Waiheke Island. Our guide, Nydia, was terrific. She was friendly, she told us all about the flora and fauna as well as... read more

    bergelsonjeff
    14 March 2023
  • star rating  Relaxed Day - Gabrielle"s wealth of knowledge of the flora and fauna of the island was amazing. Even though the weather meant plans had to change it was a most enjoyable day hiking... read more

    margaretg511
    14 March 2023

    star rating  Fantastic day out on a catamaran - We took a catamaran out with Bruce to Tiritiri Matangi Island. Not only was the island itself an incredible experience but Bruce was an outstanding and informative host. He let... read more

    Travel10852737093
    26 March 2024

    star rating  Seeing art works on Waiheke Island - It was an extraordinary tour. Gabrielle made me feel like she was showing me her own island and the artworks and artists on it. I have traveled to many... read more

    thestlfox
    19 February 2024
  • star rating  Optimal tour for a meaningful overview of Waiheke Island and NZ in general - The Waiheke Island History and Heritage Tour was a fabulous way to start our vacation. Gabrielle and team are extremely knowledgable about all aspects of NZ and Waiheke Island... read more

    TBAR_ATL
    16 April 2024

    star rating  Amazing, informative, and breathtaking! - This was our first stop on our honeymoon in New Zealand and our guide was Maria. I had done a lot of research on New Zealand and was really wanting... read more

    Inspire61871302980
    12 March 2024

    star rating  Highly enjoyable introduction to cultural and natural highlights of the island. - Justine was super friendly and accomodating, and knowledgable about Maori culture and history as well as nature. She drove us to some interesting locations on the island, and after an... read more

    EvdWRotterdam
    27 February 2024
  • star rating  Great time. - The hiking tour we took of Waiheke Island was one of our highlights to the Auckland NZ area. Tyler, our guide was knowledgeable, energetic and FUN! I highly recommend... read more

    Curious271653
    29 March 2023

    star rating  Hiking to Wine! 🍷 - Wonderful adventure to explore the island. Spectacular scenery. Wineries were amazing. Thank you, Dell, for your knowledge, hospitality, and kindness! Highly recommend this experience.

    Kyoungfnp
    20 February 2024

    star rating  Excellent first day in NZ tour of Waiheke. - Having a lunch with my guide on the sandy beach. As it turned out, I was the only guest for the tour time and date I had chosen. ... read more

    Peter B
    9 March 2023
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