About Black
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About
Black was conceived with a clear vision: to provide discerning travellers with unforgettable luxury experiences in Queenstown and across the South Island of New Zealand. Our guests are intelligent world explorers – sophisticated, travel-savvy, and eager to uncover the treasures of this remarkable region.
Founded by local adventurer, entrepreneur, and businessman Andrew Brinsley, Black was born out of a recognition of Queenstown’s need to cater to this discerning traveller. Drawing from his extensive experience in the tourism industry, Andy identified a demand for expertly hosted, personalised luxury experiences. Each experience is meticulously curated and tailored around individual interests while remaining flexible to adapt to our guests’ needs.
Our long-standing presence in Queenstown, along with our amazing local guides, ensures that every journey with Black is nothing short of extraordinary. Now under the leadership of NZ tourism industry professionals Nigel Hobbs and Heidi Farren, Black has earned a stellar reputation. With a team of highly respected local guides and the distinctive Black brand, we continue to deliver world-class luxury experiences. Our ethos is simple: we exist to create memories of a lifetime for our guests by crafting bespoke luxury travel experiences.
Whether it’s a half-day experience, overnight adventure, or multi-day touring, our bespoke tours are designed to reflect the uniqueness of each traveller. From seamless airport transfers to incredible food, wine, art, and culture, or breathtaking landscapes of the alpine backcountry, each Black experience is uniquely personal, unwaveringly professional, and utterly exceptional.
Our team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless journey from beginning to end. We’re here to assist with any enquiries and ensure you have the best possible experience. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time – we’re here for you.
DIRECTOR | Nigel, a born and bred southern man, has spent the last 20 years exploring and workin...
DIRECTOR | Nigel, a born and bred southern man, has spent the last 20 years exploring and working in destinations across the globe, including Russia, China, Indonesia, France, Singapore, and Australia. With a deep passion for tourism, Nigel is dedicated to creating world-class travel experiences.
DIRECTOR | Heidi’s a born and bred kiwi woman whose entire career has been in tourism. Aft...
DIRECTOR | Heidi’s a born and bred kiwi woman whose entire career has been in tourism. After successfully founding and growing a premium tourism business in Queenstown, in 2019 Heidi spearheaded the acquisition of BLACK and along with her business partner Nigel Hobbs has enjoyed growing the company’s offerings and immersing herself in the luxury tourism sector.
GENERAL MANAGER | After his formative years in Ireland, Graham chose to make New Zealand his hom...
GENERAL MANAGER | After his formative years in Ireland, Graham chose to make New Zealand his home in 2011. His early overseas experiences across Europe and South East Asia ignited a passion for travel. Over the past 12 years, Graham has been dedicated to delivering exceptional tourism experiences across New Zealand.
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS MANAGER | Originally from Auckland, Sammy spent five years living o...
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS MANAGER | Originally from Auckland, Sammy spent five years living overseas before deciding to move back home and settle in beautiful Queenstown. With a love for the outdoors, you’ll often find her skiing or hiking on one of our local trails in her spare time. Sammy has dedicated most of her career to working in luxury tourism, meticulously planning itineraries for high-end clients across New Zealand. Her passion for this region shines through, as she deeply understands the needs of our clients and excels at creating unique luxury experiences.
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Tatiana, originally from a small town in Canada, has spent many y...
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Tatiana, originally from a small town in Canada, has spent many years traveling and working within the tourism industry across the world before deciding to settle in Queenstown. A lover of adventure, Tatiana has explored incredible sights from Canada and the United States to Australia and Indonesia. In her spare time, you’ll find Tatiana snowboarding up the mountain or adventuring in the great outdoors. With a background in tourism, she is passionate about ensuring that every client enjoys a true and authentic experience wherever they may be in the world.
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Originally from Toronto, Gwen backpacked through Europe and Austr...
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Originally from Toronto, Gwen backpacked through Europe and Australia before crossing the ditch to spend a summer in New Zealand. Over 5 years later, Gwen is still in love with the home she has made for herself in Queenstown. Outside of work, she spends her time hiking, biking, and baking. Her travels have inspired a passion for helping others experience all that the area has to offer, and that’s what she loves about her role with Black.
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Marriah was born and raised in a small town in Washington State. ...
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Marriah was born and raised in a small town in Washington State. She visited New Zealand back in 2017, fell in love with the country, packed her bags, and has now called Queenstown home for over 5 years. She enjoys hiking and camping, and in her free time, you might find her on Tobins Track, out in Paradise, or up at Moke Lake. With a background in the hospitality industry for most of her life, she loves meeting new people from all over the world. This inspired her to want to help people further explore the beauty of New Zealand and the wider Queenstown region through her role at Black.
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, nestled beneath the Rocky...
RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS | Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, nestled beneath the Rocky Mountains, Ambur brings an invaluable affinity for the great outdoors to her role. With a background as a kayak and tramping guide, she excels in crafting impeccable itineraries and delivering utterly unique experiences. Drawing from her love for hiking, kayaking, camping, and skiing, complemented by her diverse experience and passion for travel, Ambur ensures that every guest has an incredible experience with Black.
ACCOUNTS | Amanda, originally from Scotland, found her home in Queenstown after traveling the wo...
ACCOUNTS | Amanda, originally from Scotland, found her home in Queenstown after traveling the world. Nearly 10 years later, she is still in awe of the region’s beauty. With a passion for traveling and the outdoors, you’ll often find her on the local trails or embarking on a new adventure. Amanda has an exceptional eye for detail and a love of helping people, making her perfectly suited to working in the luxury tourism sector with Black.
MARKETING MANAGER | Hanna is a Queenstown native with a deep passion for the great outdoors. As ...
MARKETING MANAGER | Hanna is a Queenstown native with a deep passion for the great outdoors. As a dedicated skier, keen hiker, golfer and explorer, she is enthusiastic about showcasing the region and delivering Black’s premium experiences.
KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER | Alia has been an integral part of our team for over 5 years. Originally fr...
KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER | Alia has been an integral part of our team for over 5 years. Originally from the Mornington Peninsula, Australia, she initially brought a wealth of experience from her background in the wine industry, including roles at multiple wineries and eventually working as a wine guide. Alia has since expanded her expertise to encompass various aspects of the tourism industry, specialising in sales while also serving as a versatile asset across all areas.
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