Contact us for expert planning and advice- 0800 11 73 11
Meet our team
The World Journeys team are a dedicated group of travel specialists, having spent many years perfecting their craft! Some are very specialised in certain areas of the world, but there will always be someone who will gladly assist you.
Ange Pirie - Director
Ange has encountered incredible sights, sounds and people during her travels around the world. As varied as the remote northwest of Namibia staying in luxurious safari lodges, to the heartland of Mexico at San Cristobal de las Casas, Ange is hard-pressed to pick a favourite between her two loves : South America & Africa. On her hot list of countries to visit are Ecuador & the Galapagos, Cuba and Botswana. She takes exceptional pride in creating itineraries that perfectly combine sights and activities with boutique or special accommodation suited to the destination. Meeting people from magnificent colourful cultures is a real highlight of Anges journeys.
Kate Gohar - Director
Kate travelled by motorbike through the UK, France, Switzerland, Spain and Germany, lived for several years in the Middle East and has spent time in Africa, Asia, Canada and parts of South America. Kate revels in our North African journeys involving Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Jordan feeding her passion for ancient civilisations and Middle Eastern cultures. There was also a jaunt to Easter Island, Peru and Colombia and recently Kate was in the Kingdom of Bhutan - just you try and stop her talking about it!
Chris Lyons - Director
With decades of experience belying his youthful countenance, Chris has been involved in developing unique travel experiences for New Zealanders for many years. Most recently, Chris has cheerfully escorted groups all over the world and has recently led a small group journey along the ancient Silk Road, and hosted a Grand South American Journey in August 2011.
Brett Barclay - Director
Brett is an inveterate traveller - 120 countries and counting. Recent travels have seen Brett ramble through Italy, sail the islands of Croatia and cruise on the great rivers of Portugal and France. Brett loves to share his many travel experiences and counts seeing the gorillas in Uganda, taking part in the Carnival in Rio and snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands as three of many highlights. He also has a passion for cruising and has travelled with many of the world\'s great cruise lines.
Kim Houston - Director
Kim has experienced everything from the luxury of six star resorts in the Maldives to the wilderness of Alaska. Canada is one of her favourite destinations, but bargaining for fruit on the Mekong Delta, experiencing the warmth of the Vietnamese people, and enjoying a Kettuvallum cruise in Southern India also rank as highlights of her travels. Kim recently returned from escorting a cruise group in the Mediterranean, naming Dubrovnik, Monte Carlo and Sorrento as her favourites!
Sue Barnaby - Travel Designer
Sue lives, breathes and would eat travel if she could! With an impressive 24 years experience in the travel industry her enthusiasm is indefatigable, as is her love of Canada and Alaska in particular, which borders on obsession! However, a recent jaunt to South America is at last providing some competition.
Kirstine Dawson - Travel Designer
Someone who can truly say she's visited ALL continents, Kirstine has taught horse riding in North America, cruised to Antarctica, travelled extensively in South and Central America, and would live in Botswana given half a chance! With a real passion for Africa and Latin America, and over 11 years working as a travel professional, we're thrilled to add Kirstine's experience to our knowledge base.
Caroline Clegg - Marketing Manager
Caroline, our Marketing Manager has covered all continents bar Antarctica! Recent travels include Namibia, Botswana, Borneo, Cambodia and Ecuador. Highlights? An epic year in Africa, trekking the Inca Trail, the Trans Mongolian Railway, and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro on a significant birthday.
Justin Marshall - Brand Manager
Justin comes with a wealth of design and travel experience, originating in Zimbabwe and living in Oman prior to settling here. Justin has worked with some of New Zealand’s top design agencies and he has been the recipient of an Advertising Association of New Zealand award and the prestigious BJ Ball Paper Award. Justins forte is communicating the beauty of our destinations within our website and print material.
Jackie Bristow - Finals Team
Jackie started her first job with an Australian travel wholesaler more years ago than she cares to remember. She has experience with inbound and outbound travel, cruising, niche product and much more besides. Jackie is particularly passionate about Canada and Alaska but is more than capable to turn her hand to just about anything.
Sarah Wilkinson - Finals Team
Our resident fashionista, Sarah adds colour and flair to all she does - which includes the gorgeous itineraries our clients travel with! With over 20 years experience in travel, Sarah is also kept busy by three kids, and dabbles in touch rugby and netball when time allows.
Blair Bauer - Finals Team
With over 10 years experience in the travel industry, Blair has worked in a variety of areas including airlines, corporate travel, groups and inbound tourism in both New Zealand and Australia. Passionate about all things South American and the path less travelled he loves a journey that is outside the square. The resident foodie in the office, Blair is just as comfortable behind a bubbling stove as he is creating our legendary travel wallets. Outside the office he will either be found surfcasting from the nearest beach or trying to climb a mountain without falling off the side… again..
Bailey Houston - Security
Meet World Journeys newest staff member, Bailey Houston. Bailey has been trained for his role as Head of Security including \'meet and greet\' at our Ponsonby villa and licking people to death. Bailey mostly spends his days asleep but is cute enough to get away with dozing while the rest of us are working.
