Meet Jim & the team
A word from your outfitter, Jim Gibson.
Jim Gibson
Professional Hunter & Owner — Guide Licence No. 093
“I’m often asked what sets New Zealand Safaris apart, and my answer is always the same — it’s the experience. From the moment you arrive, you’ll hunt with your own local New Zealand professional guide on some of the finest private wilderness properties in the country. The diversity, quality, and exclusive access we offer simply can’t be matched, and that still stands today. It’s all right here on our doorstep in New Zealand’s South Island.”
If you really want to hunt — to experience the hunt, the scenery, the people, the adventure and of course mature trophy-class game — New Zealand Safaris has what you’re looking for. From backpack hunts in the mountains, wild and free ranging, to huge trophy-class estate deer or elk, we will put a world-class hunt together for you.
“Born and raised in the South Island, I’ve spent a lifetime hunting New Zealand’s mountains, valleys, and backcountry. I’m a long-standing member of the New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association, Dallas Safari Club, Wild Sheep Foundation, Safari Club International, Houston Safari Club Foundation, the NWTF and Ducks Unlimited, since 2007. Over that time I’ve built trusted relationships with private landowners that provide our clients with exceptional hunting opportunities unavailable to the general public. Even after decades as a professional hunter, I still personally guide many of our safaris because I enjoy sharing these experiences and giving every client the individual attention they deserve.”
“At New Zealand Safaris, every hunt is tailored to your goals, your pace, and your expectations. Whether you’re pursuing your first trophy or completing a world-class collection, you’ll experience the very best of New Zealand in the privacy of your own hunting party. I invite you to contact me to discuss your ideal hunting safari — I look forward to helping you create an adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime.”
Plan Your Hunt With JimThe people behind your hunt
From your guides in the field to the team keeping the lodge running and helping you plan from the US, everyone at New Zealand Safaris shares one goal — making sure your trip is the hunt of a lifetime.
Gareth
Gareth has a wealth of knowledge and passion for professional guiding and has become a key guide for New Zealand Safaris; when not guiding he is a professional pest shooter and a competitive long-range shooting member. Gareth guides all the game species in the South Island and has great patience and understanding, getting clients of all ages and abilities onto a world-class trophy animal.
Aiden
Young and keen, born and bred as a local farmer and guide, Aiden already has both local and international guiding experience behind him — and he’s a hunter’s packhorse when your gear gets heavy. Aiden puts hunters’ enjoyment and safety foremost, and will give our North American hunters an adventure they’ll remember for many years to come.
Anna
Our full-time tour guide and lodge manager, Anna also helps with the dining experience. Having grown up in the Mackenzie area and travelled extensively around the world, Anna keeps things running smoothly at the lodge, helps at the trade shows, and caters to non-hunters looking to take in the sights and enjoy their own adventures while with New Zealand Safaris.
Chris Lyons
Based near Houston, TX, Chris began his association by hunting with Jim many years ago. On his first international and first mountain hunt, he took huge bull tahr, chamois, ram and an exceptional estate 430-inch typical red stag on private wilderness land. A great point of contact at shows, Chris was the one who put together Luke Combs coming down to hunt with Jim and New Zealand Safaris. He’s a professional in all he does and a passionate hunter and conservationist.
Contact: 909-644-5627