Celebrating people who are out there exploring the best of New Zealand
I’d always grown up in a family that had a real hunger for adventure. Most weekends we were out tramping in the local mountains. Family holidays consisted of (and still consist of) lots of walking, camping and outdoor adventures!
I loved watching Top Gear and Man vs Wild with Bear Grylls. A catalyst which started a love for vehicles and a love for the outdoors. I remember watching the Top Gear North Pole and Africa specials. These created a spark in me which ignited a passion for 4wding. It wasn’t until about 7 years ago when I could afford my first 4wd, a 1985 Suzuki Samurai that overlanding really got in my blood. The freedom to be able to drive to remote places, roll out some canvas and enjoy the peace and serenity that NZ’s great outdoors offers.
That’s what I loved. And the core of why I do this has never changed, the vehicles have, multiple times, but my love for the outdoors never faltered. Nothing beats a campfire, some good food cooked over the coals, the view of the stars, the conversations that are had and the memories that are made. Absolute magic.
As a South African I grew up overlanding and touring from a very young age. I have toured South Africa and neighbouring countries, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho extensively. After moving to Wellington I soon realised that there is more exploring to be had, and so the 955 Safari journey started.
A few years ago I came across Overland NZ on Youtube. After a few episodes I was sold to this awesome thing called overlanding.
Didn't take me long to jump into my first 4wd which was a 90 series Prado. Fast forward today iv had a 150 series and now in an 80 series Landcruiser.
The common theme here is the 7 seats. I enjoy taking my family out on trips. Its the whole reason overlanding attracted me so much. Its the best chance to take the kids away from technology and disconnect from it all and show them parts of New Zealand not alot get to see.
We have been all around New Zealand but this journey is far from over. Looking forward to many more trips of the beaten path.
Overland Navigator was born to solve the question we had back in 2015 when entering the amazing world of remote offroad exploring - where do you go? After 2 years of playing around and prototyping apps we launched Overland Navigator in mid-2019 to bring people along on the adventure and encourage people to get outdoors more.
I've spent over 8 years and over 200,000kms of driving all over New Zealand exploring what it has to offer - trying to seek out those hidden gems that are worth sharing - and logging tracks and as many details as we can remember to help others get out there in their four wheel drive and enjoy it.