Meet the Team

Steve is most commonly referred to as ‘The Irish Guy’, ‘The Bald Guy’, ‘The Guy with the Beard’ — or just all three. His knowledge in utes comes from his time working in a sales role at one of New Zealand’s top RV dealerships, advising customers on suitable tow vehicles for caravans. The rest of his experience comes from his time exploring Western Australia in a Hilux Surf, 4x4ing through the dunes.

Steve enjoys talking with customers to understand what they need their ute for, helping steer them in the right direction of what vehicle will suit them best. Being the adventure lover he is, he’s always thinking about the gear needed to make it happen, and is highly knowledgeable on the accessories to suit all kinds of activities.

When Steve’s not on the yard, you’ll find him anywhere from the mountains to the sea, with a tray full of toys, ready to try something new — most likely with his wife Kirsty and their dog Henry.

Jacob’s come full circle at Ute Nation — starting out as a groomer and working his way into sales, a natural progression for someone who lives and breathes the game. With hands-on experience, he knows these trucks inside and out, loves chatting with customers, and takes pride in helping them find the right setup for how they actually use their ute. It’s no secret he loves social media too — if you’ve been on our channels, chances are you’ve seen Jacob’s face in our reels.

When he’s off the yard, you’ll find Jacob working on project cars, heading to festivals, or hanging out with mates.

Born and raised in Christchurch with a farming background, Andy has a lifelong love of trucks and a sharp eye for quality. He spends his days sourcing the best stock for Ute Nation and enjoys the challenge of finding the right vehicle for every customer.

Weekends are often filled with off-roading, hunting, fishing or camping, and he’s just as happy working on his own trucks as he is out exploring with family and friends.

Darren has been surrounded by cars, 4WDs and accessories his whole life, growing up with parents who owned both an auto accessories business and a 4WD tour company in Australia. Over the past 20 years, he’s built his career across sales and management roles in prestige European dealerships in both Brisbane and Christchurch, supported along the way by his wife Lisa, who shares his passion for all things automotive.

As co-owner of Ute Nation, Darren leads the sales team and oversees the day-to-day running of the yard. Building strong relationships and being someone customers genuinely want to deal with is something he’s built his career on, and continues to bring to the team as the business grows.

Life at home is just as busy, with Darren and Lisa raising their three teenagers, Jade, Jordan and Luke. Between school, sport and weekend activities, most of their spare time is spent keeping up with the kids

Yuri brings a wealth of experience from every corner of the automotive industry — starting out on the tools as an apprentice mechanic, before moving through roles in workshop management, parts, sales, and leading successful teams in a prominent Christchurch dealership.

As co-owner, Yuri oversees operations and vehicle preparation, bringing strong attention to detail and clear communication that keeps everything running smoothly. With experience running businesses of his own, he understands what it takes to deliver consistently high standards and build long-term relationships with customers.

At home, Yuri enjoys life with his wife Jess and their kids Isla, Brooklyn and Tate. He’s always on the lookout for his next “toy” — whether that’s a car, bike or boat — a habit Jess has learned to live with.

Dan’s deep knowledge of anything with wheels drives Ute Nation’s stock strategy. He helped build the business from a hobby into a nationwide name and is always looking for ways to make buying and selling easier for customers.

When he’s not at the yard, Dan spends time with his wife Tash and their three young kids, or you’ll find him at the track in his S14 or off-roading in his Land Cruiser.

Having spent 10 years working as a mechanic, Jayden understands the inner workings of our vehicles better than most. He has a strong eye for detail, ensuring every truck is prepared to an extremely high standard before it hits the yard.

As Stock Coordinator, Jayden works closely with suppliers and subcontractors, managing everything from servicing and bodywork through to lift kits, accessories and final prep. Known for his energy and work rate, he keeps things moving and maintains the high standards Ute Nation is known for.

When he’s not building some of New Zealand’s best utes and 4x4s, Jayden is usually working on one of his many BMW projects. Away from the tools, his focus is on spending quality time with his wife Tess and their son Hugo

Tahlia makes finance simple and stress-free, helping customers navigate what can feel complicated or overwhelming. She thrives on the fast pace of the role, builds strong client trust and creates tailored finance and insurance packages for everything from utes to trailers and boats.

Outside of work, she enjoys the sun with her dogs Kelso and Henley, spending time with her horses or relaxing with a good book.

Joti brings over 20 years of accounting and admin experience, keeping Ute Nation’s finances and daily operations running smoothly. Her love of the automotive world began with her auto-electrician father in Fiji and continues with her mechanic husband Aaron.

She enjoys family life with Aaron and their daughter Jessica, travelling and camping around the South Island in their Triton, and cooking new dishes whenever she can.

With a background in design, photography and administration, Jess leads all things marketing for Ute Nation, from social media and events to content creation and photography. She’s often behind the lens capturing stock photos, showcasing the brand’s adventurous side and planning upcoming campaigns.

Weekends often mean exploring new walks and brunch spots or heading out of town with her husband Sam — usually with a camera in hand.

Originally from Nelson, Dom brings over a decade of mechanical experience, from Ford apprenticeships to European workshops, and loves bringing vehicles back to life. He’s our go-to for repairs before and after sales.

Off the clock, he’s mountain biking, snowboarding, jet-skiing or cruising in his VL Commodore with his wife Yasmine and their miniature dachshund, Louis.

Originally from Geraldine, Kurt brings hands-on experience fitting wheels and tyres before joining Ute Nation. He plays a key role in keeping stock moving, working alongside Jayden on vehicle logistics and the day-to-day jobs that keep the yard running smoothly. A lifelong ute fan, he’s always keen to get stuck in wherever needed.

Weekends are for mates and his partner Ella, often racing grass karts or hitting the tennis court.

Originally from Timaru, Scott brings a strong background in the automotive industry, having worked as both a mechanic and an auto electrician. His hands-on experience gives him a deep understanding of what it takes to keep vehicles running right and looking their best. With nearly a decade in grooming and detailing, he takes pride in getting every vehicle as close to perfect as possible.

When he’s off the yard, Scott is often helping mates with their cars, heading outdoors for an adventure, or getting out for a run.

Originally from Nelson, Caleb has built his experience across both Ford and European workshops before bringing his skills to Ute Nation. He’s our go-to for paint correction, buffing and polishing, with a real eye for detail and a passion for getting every vehicle looking its absolute best.

Outside of work, Caleb is all about cars and motorsport, whether he’s watching or getting involved. He’s constantly pushing his own BMW build, chasing more power for future roll racing and drag events, or spending time bouldering and hanging out with mates.

Born and bred in Christchurch, Jack brings years of hands-on detailing experience, including four years as a mobile detailer alongside a childhood mate. With a strong background in vehicle presentation, stepping into Ute Nation was a natural move to grow his skills and be part of a fast-paced team.

When he’s not at the yard, Jack’s usually in the gym keeping himself dialled in, or unwinding with a pint at the pub with the boys