Our People

Our Team 

Introducing the team at Canterbury Guiding Co.


Harrison Bowman – Owner & Director

Born and raised in Canterbury, Harrison is a proud third-generation Cantabrian with a deep, personal connection to this remarkable region of New Zealand. Growing up surrounded by the Southern Alps, the sweeping Canterbury Plains and the rugged Pacific coastline, it provided an appreciation for the region that simply can’t be learned from a guidebook. Today, as a husband and father of two, that love for the land has only grown stronger, and it’s the driving force behind everything Canterbury Guides does. Before acquiring Canterbury Guides, Harrison built a solid foundation in business and management. He brings the same organisational discipline and client-focused mindset to tourism. When he’s not out on the road with guests, you’ll find him in the hills chasing a hunt, so when he tells you Canterbury’s wilderness is world-class, he means it firsthand. Harrison’s passion is straightforward: to share the landscapes, hidden gems and genuine character of Canterbury.


Joshua Wharton – Owner & Director

Joshua’s passion for travel has taken him to Europe, Asia, North & South America, and across Oceanea. Through those experiences, he developed an appreciation for different cultures, landscapes and ways of life. His career began in New Zealand’s luxury hospitality sector, including time at the iconic Chateau Tongariro, where he gained firsthand experience delivering exceptional guest service and an understanding of the finer details that elevate experiences from enjoyable to unforgettable. Having chosen to make Christchurch home with his wife and son, Joshua has developed a deep connection to the region and a genuine appreciation for its history, character and ongoing evolution. Whether it’s a hidden trail, a boutique vineyard, a breathtaking unexpected moment or a little-known local story, he believes that around every corner is a new experience to be found and a story to be told.

The Guides:

John Ellis - Guide / Managing Director

Outside of John’s love for family & Island life in the Pacific Oceans Cook Islands, he will be found engaging clients’ interest into the many aspects of New Zealand culture and everyday life & workings of our small humble nation. Being from a 4th generation of a Canterbury family, John will bring you in touch with many aspects of our Canterbury region. Owning businesses for himself for over 25 years, he now brings his knowledge, enthusiasm and love for his Island & country to all he meets. He has often been found over the years Cycling the Canterbury region, being towed with enthusiasm on a single ski behind his Bayliner Boat or on a jet ski on summer days on Lake Benmore, lower South Island NZ.

Fiona Newsome - Guide / Operations Management

A born and bred local from Christchurch Canterbury, Fiona found her wings at an early age and took to discovering the big world. She may have spent time earlier in life exploring other cultures and gaining worldly insight, but on her return to New Zealand to settle, she realised just how much inspiration her home lands had to offer the rest of the world. Her enthusiasm, passion and respect for New Zealand, its Tangata whenua, and culture, helps guests experience and understand the diversity of all that New Zealand holds. Taking people on an insightful journey helping them connect to these lands & people in a more personal way. A warm personality and travel experiences with many cultures throughout the world helps her naturally build great rapport with clients. She is quick to find inspiration, humour & delight in everyday life that is NZ. Her passion for cycling as a past cycle touring guide, her love for mountain biking and hiking the local hills helps Fiona stay fit and connected to the beauty that is Canterbury.

Eileen Keane - Guide

Eileen has been with Canterbury Guides since 2022. Having lived in Christchurch her whole adult life definitely makes her a Cantabrian. Hosting her guests, showing them around, Eileen weaves tales of the area’s history, with the experience of bringing people closer to what it is to live in our beautiful country. She & her husband & two adult daughters have travelled extensively in the United States, Europe and more recently Asia, adding to her ever expanding love of travel and learning about the diversity of various cultures. In her previous life she owned and operated two preschools for 28 years fitting in the challenges of being a business woman, she has always enjoyed her running, her hiking, and her social time with family and friends. Packed with a great personality and vitality for life, you will really enjoy your time with Eileen.

Jenny Wilkinson - Guide

Jenny is a born and bred local of Canterbury, growing up in rural Ashburton. At 17 moved to Christchurch and home ever since. The thing she loves the most about living in Christchurch is enjoying the outdoor playground on our doorstep. Beaches to surf or paddle board, hills for hiking, proper snowy mountains to ski. Many years as a telecommunications engineer mostly being indoors and attached to a computer, Jenny is having fun being out and about introducing visitors to our stunning region. From exploring some other parts of the world on holiday and through her competition gliding, she has a genuine curiosity about how others live, she likes to provide the best experience visitors could wish for when they are here. Outside of New Zealand her favourite holiday so far was hiking up Angel’s landing in Zion National Park, Utah, USA with her husband. Everyday life is hiking, yoga, glider pilot trainer and anything on water are her favourite pastimes.

Peter MacRae – Guide

Bio coming soon.

Keri Beckett – Guide

Bio coming soon.

Linda Ryder – Guide

Bio coming soon.

Traci Stanbury - Guide

Bio coming soon.