NEW ZEALAND HOLIDAYS ADVICE
Reading up on the Maori
“Books that I’d recommend to accompany your journey include ‘The Penguin History of New Zealand’ by Michael King, ‘The Luminairies’ by Elanor Cotton and the Maori Wars Trilogy by Maurice Gee.”
“If you’re looking for reading material then check out The Bone People by Keri Hulme, a Booker prize winner that gets to the heart of New Zealand’s Maori and European heritage.”
Our New Zealand Holidays
New Zealand small group tour, 23 days
Small Group Tour - North and South Island of New Zealand
New Zealands Subantarctic Islands cruise
Wildlife voyage to the Subantarctic inc Macquarie Island
New Zealand holiday, small group
Combining the best of New Zealand's North and South Islands.
New Zealand self drive holidays
Spectacular scenery and dynamic culture
New Zealand holiday, land and sea tour
Visit towering volcanic cones to broad sandy beaches
New Zealand 17 day small group tour
Kaka 17 Day Small Group Tour of New Zealand
New Zealand 21 day small group tour
21 day small group tour of New Zealand
New Zealand small group tour, 16 days
Kakariki 16 Day Small Group Tour of New Zealand
New Zealand 12 day small group tour
Kiwi 12 Day Small Group Tour of New Zealand
North Island self drive tour in New Zealand
8 day self-drive tour of the North Island
New Zealand South Island self drive tour, Lakes & Alps
Freedom to explore South Island's glaciers & lakes by road
New Zealand culture & trekking self drive tour
North Island Wilderness & Volcano Adventure Trekking Tour
New Zealand self drive tour, 23 days
The grand tour of New Zealand’s North & South Islands by car
New Zealand cultural holiday
Experience the scenery and culture of New Zealand.
Antarctica and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands Wildlife Cruise
Travel from New Zealand on the ultimate Antarctic voyage.
New Zealand South Island self drive tour
Discover New Zealand's off the beaten track destinations
New Zealand trekking holiday
Explore New Zealand's incredible landscapes
Nature tour in New Zealand
Journey through the heart of New Zealand
New Zealand adventure holiday
An active adventure exploring the Land of the Long White Cloud
South Island self drive tour in New Zealand
Self-drive to the tip of the South Island’s Fjordlands
New Zealand conservation volunteering
Enjoy helping with conservation in beautiful New Zealand
New Zealand wildlife holiday
Fascinating endemic birding species & wildlife watching
New Zealand rhododendron tour
Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens 6 Day Small Group Escapes Tour
New Zealand walking holiday, small group
Explore New Zealand on foot and discover the great outdoors
New Zealand self drive holiday
A 23 day easy walking holiday in new Zealand
Best of New Zealand private holiday
All the highlights of New Zealand in 24 Days
New Zealand North Island gardens tour
Country Roads & Cross Hills Gardens Fair 7 Day Small Group
Doubtful Sound and South Island tour, New Zealand
Doubtful Sound & West Coast Odyssey 7 Day Small Group Tour
Complete tour of New Zealand
32 Day North & South Island New Zealand Holiday.
New Zealand North and South Island tour
Explore Nz's stunning islands, high peaks, and deep fjords
Taste the difference
Caroline Stafford from our tour supplier Silver Fern Holidays shares her foodie favourites:“Take a tour in Havelock North and dine at the Mussel Pot café for the very best green-lipped mussels. Stop at one of the home grown fruit and veg honesty stalls that are dotted on roadsides across New Zealand. Visit a farmers’ market - Wellington has a great one and the Saturday morning market in Nelson is a bit of an institution. Finally, NZ has got cheese-making down to a specialist art form so visit a workshop and see how it's done before having a taste and buying a block to take home.”
Accommodation advice
Linzi Bird, New Zealand specialist at our supplier Audley Travel shares her local knowledge:“Kiwis are so kind and friendly that it’s definitely worth staying in a B&B or homestay, especially outside of the cities, as you’ll make friends for life as well as learning loads of local info such as the best places to eat or where to watch the sun set, which, for my mind, has to be the Coromandel Peninsula, simply stunning."
Mix up your travel options
Caroline Stafford from our tour supplier Silver Fern Holidays offers travel tips:“Combine different methods of transport – driving is great, but the driver always has the short deal, keeping their eyes on the road when there’s such stunning scenery to look at. We always advise swapping the car for some train travel with the TranzAlpine Express across the Southern Alps, highly recommended. Also, make the most of the NZcycle Trail cycle paths that zig-zag across the whole country.”
Visit a wine estate
“New Zealand has some amazing wineries and taking a tour of Mission Estate in Hawke’s Bay or hiring a bike and cycling around the boutique estates in the Napier region is a wonderful excuse to watch the sun set with a glass of wine and plate of antipasti.”
Health & safety in New Zealand
HEALTH
SAFETY
Our top New Zealand Holiday
New Zealand small group tour, 23 days
Small Group Tour - North and South Island of New Zealand
2021: 19 May, 13 Oct, 24 Nov
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN EARTHQUAKE
Although New Zealand has grown to expect several earthquakes a year rated at magnitude six, larger magnitudes only hit perhaps once or twice a decade. If you happen to be in New Zealand when an earthquake occurs then stay calm and follow the instructions below:
If inside: get under the cover of a table or sturdy piece of furniture. If nothing is close by then crouch in the corner of the room until the shaking has stopped. Stay away from glass or anything heavy that may topple over. Do not use a lift to escape the building even after the shaking has stopped. Always use the stairs when it’s safe to do so.
If outside: move away from any buildings, glass, electricity pylons and telegraph poles. Don’t go inside a building, stay outdoors and stay there until the shaking has stopped.
If trapped: don’t move around and cause dust to become more of a problem than it already might be. Cover your mouth with a piece of light clothing or a handkerchief. Don’t light a naked flame. Try not to shout but bring help to your attention by tapping or knocking on a pipe or anything similar.
Tips from our travellers in New Zealand
We have selected some of the most useful wildlife holidays advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.


“There is never enough time! We went for 19 days and needed another week. If you do not plan on another trip back then go longer. The company booked our trip and did an excellent job. Not hard to do yourself either but certainly was easy doing it through them.” – Cathy Shiner
“Pay attention to the information about what to bring before coming on the trip. Get what you need before the trip and have it with you. Good rain gear, broken in hiking boots, and… extra batteries for digital cameras would be an excellent idea. Once you arrive in Motueka you may not have the time to sort out anything forgotten.” – Allan Justus, on a Heaphy Track hiking trip
“I would advise people doing this trip to pack lightly as advised by the operator because it is hard work carrying a heavy load up and down the hills.” – Wendy Grace, on a Heaphy Track hiking trip