I’ve been living in New Zealand since 2014. I was meant to stay for just a few months, but I fell in love with both the country and a Kiwi! After a few years spent at managing a lodge in beautiful Kaikoura (where I learnt spearfishing), my partner and I moved to Christchurch. I think I can say that there is no other place that I’d rather live!

Digital marketing and tourism are two industries that I am passionate about and this is why I feel pretty lucky to act as a digital marketing specialist for Antipodes Travel. From social media to newsletters, my job is to use and make the most of all digital media to reach the right audiences that could be interested in Antipodes Travel products.

Occasionally, I leave my devices and screens behind me to go on the road to drive and guide tourists around, sharing my love for New Zealand. I often say that I know more about New Zealand than I know about France!

Hey, I’m Lucy, a born and breed Kiwi girl. I grew up in Rotorua, we used to road trip all over the North Island. My favorite place to visit has always been Mt. Maunganui. I would definitely move there if I ever get rich!

When I was 18, I moved to the charming town of Dunedin to study tourism. I made some great memories studying here and though I was supposed to leave after my course finished, the town kept calling my name, so I moved back and started working at Antipodes Travel.

My role is a Travel Reservations Consultant. So far it has been great, even if I don’t speak French (yet!). When I’m not working at Antipodes Travel, I have another part-time job as a security guard. To be completely honest I only took that job so I could watch rugby games and concerts for free! I am a big footy fan, Up the wahs!

My Name is Jutta Korte-Fouche. I look after the accounts and suppliers for Antipodes Travel.

Dunedin has been home to my family since 2016. Originally, I am from the soils of Africa, where I lived and grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. Growing up, I had the opportunity to visit and spend a lot of time game viewing, bush walking and camping in the world-famous Kruger National Park. I am fascinated by the diversity that nature offers around the world.

To me, nature rejuvenates the mind, body and soul.

I speak English, German and Afrikaans fluently and, although my surname may sound half French, Antipodes Travel is helping me study the French language to enable me to fully understand and speak it.

Tourism in every country is unique, and New Zealand is no exception. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible opportunities to discover both of New Zealand’s beautiful islands. There is so much to see and experience, I have no doubt that the friendly Antipodes Travel Team can tailor-make an adventure to meet your needs!

I landed in Aotearoa/New Zealand early 2002. I didn’t know where to stay the first night, so I slept at the Auckland Airport! Since then, I’ve been to every corner of the country, visited many towns, villages and settlements and encountered so many great locals!

I started guiding people in 2004. I remember the first time, it was for a Swiss couple and the car broke down 50km south of Auckland on day 1! I drove them to the West Coast of the South Island, a place I had never been to before. No Google Maps, no cell phone to help me at that time, I learnt all the directions off by heart before heading into the unknown. Since that day, I have guided hundreds of French speaking clients anywhere between Cape Reinga and Stewart Island, including Mayor Island, Kapiti Island and the Chatham Islands. New Zealand is such a great country to visit, explore, discover…

What I enjoy the most, when I’m not exploring the country with my family, is being with my camera taking photos of unique landscapes and wildlife. I could spend hours and hours (days and days, apparently) on the same spot to capture its beauty. Take a look at my website, which is dedicated to my passion. www.TravelNaturePhotography.com

Aotearoa is a rather small country by size, but guess what, I keep discovering fantastic places even after nearly two decades of travelling “Godzone”! That’s good news, as I intend to stay a few more decades.

My first memorable experience in New Zealand was putting on waders to go night fishing in far Northland! It was in winter in 1993. I was visiting my cousin who after sailing around the world, ended up in Auckland. At the time, the Sky Tower had not yet been built and I wasn’t able to find any good coffee or cheese! I never thought I would move here in 2002.

But I have always been drawn to the idea of “the other side of the world”, the further you can go, the antipodes! No wonder I have made it to New Zealand from my native Haute-Savoie in the French Alps.

Before starting Antipodes Travel, I was a travel consultant for Tourism Auckland, I wrote Travel guide books on New Zealand and I taught French at the University of Otago. Dunedin has been my home since 2004 and I love the atmosphere here, also known as the Dunner Stunner! Yoann and I got married on a beach on the Otago Peninsula in the company of a Fiordland crested penguin!

With our two daughters, we are lucky to spend a few months in France every year to reconnect with friends and family. We always make sure to include a long stopover in Australia (our second home), Hawaii (have been to Kauai and Big Island once but very keen to go back!), Switzerland (I am Swiss as well) or one of the beautiful islands in Brittany.

Apart from travelling, I love chocolate and have a passion for singing (I have been told it is in my family genes). I am part of a community choir, which is the highlight of my week (especially the social after-choir drink!). I would believe that if I was still living in France, I would be a radio host.

The best romantic weekend idea? Glamping in the Australian outback with my husband, a good book and no computer.

If Covid-19 was to last, I will change career and become a violinist! Yes, I started to learn the violin just before Covid-19 lockdown with my daughter Lucy. We practice every day so there is hope… I will keep you posted on my progress!

My mind never stops, I am constantly thinking of new ideas… I am inspired by nature, people and life. Keen to share one?