Paul is the founder of Great New Zealand Steam Journeys and is combining his interest in travel with his other passion for steam trains. Over the past 30 years he has travelled worldwide in pursuit of steam and is always keen to share that interest. He travels with you on every steam journey.
Paul’s career in radio and newspapers took him from the UK to the Caribbean to Hongkong and eventually to New Zealand where he settled in 1985. Back then he saw the potential the recently privatised rail network had for showing visitors the scenic parts of the country, but the climate for such a venture wasn’t right. When the government bought back the rail network in 2004 Paul knew the time was right to fulfil his vision of authentic historical steam trains taking visitors right through the most stunning parts of the country.
Paul gained his Tourism Operations and Tour Guiding Advanced Qualifications in 2003 and since then has been leading overseas visitors on tours throughout New Zealand. He has co-ordinated the many travel, steam preservation and government organisations needed to bring you these nationwide steam journeys.
That job is complete and visitors can now enjoy regular historic steam train travel when they visit New Zealand.
Since 2004 he has led over 100 tour groups through New Zealand and has been scoring excellent ratings from those groups for his interpretation of New Zealand culture and its way of life.
Email: paul.hashfield@gmail.com