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River Valley - About Us and our Staff
River Valley has grown to be what it is today through the passion of initially Nicola's parents, Brian and Robin Sage, and since 1986, Brian Megaw and Nicola.
Being away from the main tourist centres, we have tended to develop systems and ways of doing things, that somewhat surprisingly to us have become industry standards.
From the very beginning our focus has been on delivering a quality, fun experience to our guests, maintaining good relationships with our local community, operating with a minimum footprint in our natural environment, and being sustainable in all ways (see Our History page).
The Team
During the year we have staff who come and go with the season. Some working summer, and some winter.
While Kiwis make up the core of the staff, we welcome people of other nationalities that work with us, and who buy into River Valley being a special place.
We believe it is far more important that our staff are passionate about their jobs, passionate about delivering great experiences, and passionate about the land, and the river, than what country they come from.
Pictured below are some of the current River Valley team.
Brian
River Valley and Nicola have been Brian's passions. Since 1986 for River Valley, and longer for Nicola.
An experienced river guide, Brian has not yet hung up his paddle. He likes to get out on his cataraft from which he runs safety for high water trips, is a regular, guiding clients at lower flows, and loves to get out on wilderness rivers on camping trips. His passion for the river is inspirational for many younger guides.
Is known to comment after some high water cataraft trips - "Sometimes it's just good for the soul to go and get scared shitless!"
Owner, Managing Director and Senior River Guide.
Nicola
Nicola is certainly the more glamorous member of the River Valley owners team. Nicola has grown up and spent most of her life in the area around River Valley. After rearing 3 children, she took up river guiding for a few years, retiring relatively recently.
Nicola is now focused on her loves of making sure River Valley is as good as it can be, enjoying her horse Rico and the restoration of her original family homestead. She and eldest daughter Janey are also passionate about the River Valley Stables operation. A joint focus on great horses and great experiences.
Owner, Stables Guide, Natural Horsemanship Practitioner and retired river guide. Also Maama to Isla Kowhai, Keeva Miyim and Luca Daisy.
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River Valley Stables
Janey
Janey has lived most of her life at River Valley, growing up amongst river guides, rafting talk, and exercising her love of horses and rural life. She has spent 3 winters rafting in the USA, and is a seasoned Rangitikei Grade 5 Guide. Now she is following her passion for horses and is operating River Valley Stables. In April 2008, Janey and Tom had a new addition with the birth of Isla Kowhai, a beautiful little girl. In March 2010, Isla was followed by a sister, Keeva Miyim.
Senior River Guide, River Valley Stables Manager, River Valley Assistant General Manager, Mother
Isla
The newest member of the River Valley team, currently only 20 months old but already on her way to being a trained stables and river guide. Which if she does do will make her a fourth generation guide. Isla rules the roost at River Valley and has a ball every time she is here.
General source of entertainment and resident screamer
Pippy "Mini Mouse"
A Fox Terrier, she can be seen gracing the lodge with her presence when either Janey or Tom are about. Also currently ranking as best friends with Isla.
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Lizzie
Having tried the conventional job experience she has seen the light and come over from the dark side. With a finger in every pie she can be seen working in many guises throughout the Lodge. With guiding experience in Turkey and New Zealand she is now resident river and stables guide here at the valley.
Head Stables Guide, River guide
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Reception Staff & Lodge Assistants
Sian
A local Kiwi lass from Wanganui. Can be found making sure the Lodge is spic and span or else making friends with the bartender. She is a keen dancer, which takes up most of her evenings!
Head Housekeeper
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River Valley Cafe & Bar Staff
Jess
Jess is a returning employee as she just missed it so much. She is a fashion designer by trade but couldn’t resist another summer at River Valley. Jess is the one you will all likely get to know well as she is loads of fun and works behind the bar.
Sani
Sani is our latest addition, a local family man who is our new Chef. Sani has had experience working with the lovely Ponsonby crowd in the big smoke, to the characters out at Waiouru Army Camp. He is originally from Niue, a tiny island near Tonga and loves Hiphop & R&B... we are all looking forward to seeing some of his dance moves soon, to see if he can dance as good as he can cook!
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Transport
Brian Sage
The other Brian, affectionately known as "The Fat Dad". Brian with his wife Robin, were the original founders of River Valley and the first generation of three rafting on the Rangitikei River. These days is often seen shuttle driving, or buried in his sound room following his passion for recording music. For a personal message from Brian & Robin, click here.
Senior River Guides
Tom
Tom, with his flowing golden locks and rugged looks, is always a client favorite. Tom is a solid Senior Grade 4/5 river guide with 12 years rafting experience in New Zealand and overseas. Tom inspires confidence in his crew as they storm their way down some of the hardest whitewater in New Zealand. Other than rafting and shearing sheep, Tom is often found cooking up a mean curry in the kitchen and even meaner home brewed beer!
When not on the water Tom can be found doting around River Valley with his gorgeous daughter Isla.
Trip Leader and Senior River Guide
Gordy
A solid Grade 4/5 raft guide and excellent kayaker, Gordy is a real asset at River Valley. This boy is passionate about rivers and even spends the winter months trying to guide in French in Canada!
A pretty social chap, Gordy realized that was a lot more fun in a raft with other people than alone in his kayak - but he still finds time to throw himself off waterfalls! Gordy is a favourite with our female guests, not for his looks, but for his keen sence of style and love of chick flicks.
River Guides
Sam
With a strong desire to never have a 'proper' job he is a fully paid up member of the Peter Pan so ciety. Being a Grade 5 river guide he is enjoying the challenges of the Rangitikei river and all the social aspects of rafting. Sam has also guided in the US, Turkey, Canada and Mexico.
With his booming English accent and larger than life presence, Sam is hard to miss at River Valley. When not on the river, Sam enjoys working around the Lodge - adding to his growing portfolio of Sam'isms.. ! Sam enjoys falling out of his raft and his favorite movie is Bruno...
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Arnie
Arnie is from the US and has spent the last decade and more avoiding real jobs in search of the finest whitewater the planet has to offer. Arnie has also guided rivers in India, Nepal, Turkey and throughout the US. He has always wanted to guide Grade 4/5 rivers in New Zealand and enjoys every day on the Rangitikei.
Arnie also enjoys long chats with Brian at the River Valley bar, with topics ranging from social networking to their respective weights, from hair loss to rowing catarafts! Arnie loves burgers, curry and ice cream - and insists Kiwis drive on the wrong side of the road..!
Ben
As an Australian, Ben uses any excuse he can to leave his country. He is a laid back character who is rarely ruffled even in the most challenging situations, especially when dealing with the rapids on the Rangitikei. Ben's great humour and "tassie" roots underlie his great life experiences.
Ben is living the life at River Valley, he has trained to be a Grade 4/5 guide from the characters above. He enjoys late night skype sessions and a cold beer with the boys.
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