For the best New Zealand backpacker experience on offer, it’s all about who you know. And our world famous Driver Guides are definitely the ones to know!Check out our Driver Guide profiles and get to know them!
These Kiwis are totally passionate about our country and committed to making every traveller or backpacker’s trip the trip of a lifetime – especially yours! Their commentary, insights and advice will ensure you get the best value for money, and take the best possible New Zealand experience back home with you.
They are Kiwi characters from all walks of life, who can book your accommodation and activities for you, provide in-depth commentary, entertainment, travel advice, and drive your bus skillfully and safely around the country. You won't find them in beige walk shorts, long white socks or wearing a tie either. As former New Zealand backpackers themselves, our Driver Guides have all travelled extensively and see the world from your perspective, as a traveller.
Our long history of legendary Driver Guides has made Kiwi Experience what it is today. They are our most valuable asset and what sets Kiwi Experience apart from the competition.
Your bus driver, tour guide and more...
...DJ, teacher, Mum, and all-round legend to New Zealand backpackers. As great multi-taskers, our Driver Guides are both your bus driver and travel guide as you travel around the country (this helps reduce pass costs for passengers too). They’ll pick you up, take you there safely, provide entertaining and informative commentary, play your favourite song, rock the party, be trusted travel advisors whenever needed, and book accommodation and activities ahead to give you more time to kick back and enjoy your trip. If anyone could claim to be New Zealand travel experts it’s these guys!
Your Driver Guide will help you suss out what to do, when to do it, and where to do it - whether that’s sleeping, jumping off or into something, hiking through the wilderness or getting a good meal for the night. You’ll have total independence but if you’re not sure of what you’re doing they will always have an answer. They’ll even have something up their sleeves for a rainy day to make sure that, regardless of the weather, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget.
Driver background - 100% Kiwi
Our Driver Guides come from the wide range of backgrounds which makes up New Zealand’s people. A mix of male and female, some from small towns, some from the big smoke, some Maori, some New Zealand European, and some who can’t remember what they did before Kiwi Experience. Even with all these different backgrounds they’re all proud and charismatic New Zealander’s which couldn’t be more important when showing backpackers New Zealand.
Being experienced and skilled bus drivers their age range is generally mid 20’s – 30’s. Some have been driving for Kiwi Experience for only a year and others for more than 10 (some never want to leave!) To learn more about each driver check out the driver profiles page.
New Zealand’s top drivers strive to work for Kiwi Experience and each year we receive dozens of new applications. However, it’s not as simple as being a reliable and safe bus driver – they also have to be great hosts. Each new Driver Guide is taken on a rigorous training induction to ensure they’re up the mark with their driving, New Zealand knowledge, and friendly customer service. It would probably be easier to get into Buckingham Palace!
Like all jobs, training is ongoing to ensure our Driver Guides are delivering the safest journey in the most entertaining way possible. They know the best spots to stop at, the best activities, take you on loads of hidden walks and give you great insights and commentary into New Zealand life, sights and spots along the way. They are experienced bus drivers and skilled tour guides who make the difference between a regular tour and a true experience!
Our Driver Guides are helped by the fact that we have access to one of the most modern bus fleets in the industry which are regularly serviced behind the scenes by a diligent operations crew. Click here to meet the fleet.