Our Team
Arrive as Guests, Leave as Family
Our one-of-a-kind Kuranui team has been handpicked to offer you the world class experience you have been dreaming of.
Our Passionate Team
Delivering Exceptional Experiences
Here at Kuranui our team is our family, with generations of hunters who have been raised on sharing your same passion for the hunt.
We pride ourselves on showing you an unforgettable hunting experience chasing all different types of premium New Zealand
bred species. From hunting to flying, relaxation to great conversation this team will show you a good time, alongside… One you will NEVER forget.
Brent – Outfitter/PH Guide
Brent is the 4th generation of farmer/hunter gatherer in his family. Gaining skills and experience from his father and grandfather before him. His favourite saying is ‘It’s in the Blood’ expressing his passion for hunting that ignited from a young age and has now carried on through his three daughters. He is a NZPHGA Registered Hunting Guide, and leads a team of purpose chosen guides and hosts. Brent is a man of many trades alongside a well experienced hunter of 45+ years. Brent also holds a commercial New Zealand Helicopter pilot’s license and loves to take the skies – so you have your very own personal helicopter pilot on hand if required. His hobbies also include big game fishing, diving, farming, being a good husband and telling Ella to ‘shhhh’ and stop talking while out on the hunt.
Juanita – Host/Chef
Juanita is an avid horse rider and has grown up being raised on a dairy farm, so she knows how to work hard and provide for her family. Mother to her outgoing three girls Juanita certainly knows how to host an outstanding meal, whilst providing her guests with premium hospitality. Alongside her husband Brent they are the owners of Kuranui. She feels blessed to be able to pass on experience and share her passion with those willing. Juanita will also cater to those non-hunters of the group who are eager to try out any of the desired activities New Zealand has to offer. Word on the street says she loves to dance and can make a top tier gluten-free cheesecake. Hobbies include: Keeping Brent in line and under control!
Ella – PH Guide/Host
Ella has grown up hunting ever since she could walk! As Brent and Juanita’s eldest daughter out of three girls, Ella is as tough as they come when it comes to female hunters. With a passion for horse riding, hunting and outdoors experiences, Ella has looked up to her father Brent as a hunting role model for the past 20+ years. Ella’s is also a NZPHGA Registered Hunting Guide with a large passion for encouraging women to get outdoors and chase their dream trophy. Ella is known for a good laugh, red nails, a sharp shot, and a very good conversationalist. Recently graduating her communications, advertising and journalism university degree, Ella is very tech savvy, running the Kuranui Social Media pages and will no doubt be on hand to capture your hunting memories via camera during your dream hunting experience.
Charlie – Operations Manager/PH Guide
Charlie is in his element when heading up into the hills chasing game in his spare time. He has a passion for ensuring ALL hunters who visit Kuranui walk away with the best possible world-class experience. He is our operations manager here at Kuranui and ensures that all hunts are set up to run as smoothly as possible. Fair to say he does not disappoint! Any questions you have about your hunting experience fire them to Charlie. Hobbies include sneaking off with Brent to go Big Game fishing, earthworks and farming. Charlie is also one of our lead NZPHGA Registered Hunting Guides and knows Kuranui like the back of his hand. He is a confident and experienced hunter, with a hilarious sense of humour. Rumour has it he’s also not too shabby at trophy photography.
Shaun – PH Guide/Host
Shaun is your right-hand man when it comes to sharing your passion for hunting here at Kuranui. Shaun is also one of our NZPHGA Registered Hunting Guides, and can take you to all the hunting hot spots, to help you claim your trophy. Each location catered to whatever fitness level/comfortability you are after. Shaun’s shares a passion for not only hunting but people, he enjoys gathering around the fire and hearing the stories of your day. This makes him a critical part of our team here at Kuranui. While hunting is his true love, raising his family is just as important to him and is one of his core values.
Sarah – Chef/Host
Sarah or (Sez) is a key part of our Kuranui family, her cheery smile is guaranteed to brighten up your day. Not only is she a whiz in the kitchen, she’s also a keen hunter and loves to surf. Sarah is a core member of our Kuranui Family. When not imagining the craziest gourmet meal she can prepare for you, Sarah is an Outdoor Clothing Designer for ‘Stoney Creek’ a leading hunting clothing brand in New Zealand. She loves to share her passion for design and can offer advice on what items of clothing will help improve the quality of your hunt. Sarah’s kindness is inspiring and doesn’t go unnoticed. Feel free to ask Sarah any questions whilst on your stay at Kuranui. Fun Fact – She even designed and created a camouflage prom dress!
Anthony (Aka Hedgy) – Chef
A passionate game fisherman and hunter during the day, Anthony’s real passion is in the kitchen where he is obsessed with transforming fresh local produce (that has been sustainable harvested) into Michelin star quality meals. Having been a finalist in the New Zealand Wild Foods Awards and having international cheffing experience, Hedgy looks forward to providing you and your guests with a culinary experience that will honour the fair chase hunting and / or fishing experience that you have enjoyed. He also loves to get out Big Game fishing and caring for his family. He also has a super soft spot for Netty the Kuranui Team Dog and is often caught cooking extra meals just for her… Don’t tell Juanita!
Paris & Zarah – Assistant Hosts
Paris and Zarah! Where do we start! These firecrackers are Brent and Juanita’s middle and youngest daughters. They have been brought up tagging along on all adventures and are keen outdoors women. Paris is currently on the grind studying to gain her university degree: Bachelor of Commerce. In her spare time, she loves getting out on the ocean Big Game fishing, diving, wandering the hills and meeting new people. Zarah is in her final few years of High School and runs her own calf-rearing business, while also being passionate about caring for her horses and animals. Both girls are keen hunters and love the ocean. They are fantastic hosts, great conversationalists and will be doing everything in their power to squeeze in extra time to spend with guests.
Netty ‘Queen’ McConnell – The Boss
Netty the Kuranui Dog…‘The Boss’ of the camp. Learning to fly in the Kuranui private helicopter and experiencing her first trophy hunt at 12 weeks old, hunting is Nettys LIFE! Netty is a Brittany, and has just turned into a big one year old, already attending more hunts than a standard dog would experience in a lifetime, there is no hunt Netty will not attempt to attend. She has the kindest nature and is an absolute smoocher to anyone that pays her a second of attention. She is a poser and is often spotted constantly squeezing into every single Kuranui Trophy animal photo. Netty is a family favourite in the camp and is loved by all guests and staff. From extra dinners to fireplace snuggles, wearing her special dog earmuffs in the helicopter or being as quiet as a mouse in the field stalking animals, Kuranui would not be the same without her.
