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Our Team

Over the years Back to Nature has employed all types of people, including mature students studying at the University of Otago or locals who’ve been born and bred in New Zealand. What everyone shares in common is an interest or education relating to ecology and history. We take pride in selecting and training our guides to a high standard to guarantee you receive a quality experience based on good interpretation and character.

We work closely with businesses locally and throughout New Zealand to make your visit one you will always remember. Our network of contacts extends to Christchurch, Tauranga and Auckland where we can guarantee your tour is conducted in a professional manner with every detail covered. We have built these relationships to enhance our team and to provide you with unbeatable experiences at the lowest cost, quite simply nobody anywhere can offer a better price if you are travelling around New Zealand aboard a cruise ship.

The company is owned by Chris Roberts (PGDip Wildlife Management).  Born in Wellington, Chris has lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for most of his life, the sister city of Dunedin, where he now lives with a young family.  Since completing his Postgraduate work, Chris has lectured at Otago Polytechnic on a new program in Professional Tourism. During the off-season, Chris has led teams on research projects throughout New Zealand, collecting data in the lowland Kaimanawa and Pureora forests of the North Island, and in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Park in the South Island.

 

He’s been involved in tourism for 21 years and worked for several tour companies guiding in varied terrain and leading teams in some of the most pristine areas in the South Island of New Zealand and Bonnie Scotland, including Franz Josef Glacier Guides, Ultimate Hikes (Milford & Routeburn Track), Real Journeys, NZSki.com and Loch Lomond Leisure Scotland.

‘Working in remote areas allows you to connect with nature, an intrinsic part of life that I rarely understood before I came back to New Zealand. All the people you work with are there for the same reason – they love the outdoors and want to learn more, explore the unexplored and grow as a person. This passion inspired me to get involved with Back to Nature Tours, a company built on the foundation of great guides. We believe every tour should be safe, structured and led by a professional guide that will connect you to our part of the world.’

Chris Roberts,
Managing Director

a man riding on the back of a boat