History

Located in the spectacular Fiordland National Park, the dramatic Hollyford Track is one of the greatest guided walks in New Zealand. In three days you will be transported from the wilderness to the sea, traversing the Hollyford Valley by foot, jet boat and finally helicopter. Your expert and passionate guides will bring to life the diversity of landscape, vegetation and wildlife, sharing captivating stories of early Māori and pioneering families.

For over 40 years, visitors from all over the globe have come to the Agrodome to see our world-famous Farm Show – starring a cast of talented animals… and you!  Plus, join the Farm Tour to explore a real working farm, hand-feed loads of friendly animals, and sample delicious kiwifruit juice and honey from our land. There’s also the Nursery, with baby animals available for cuddles and photos all year round, and our Woollen Mill and Shearing Museum, where you’ll learn the remarkable story of NZ pioneers the Bowen brothers, and discover the full process of wool from the Sheep’s back to yours.

Awarakau Lodge is family owned and operated by Greg and Rosemarie. They offer guided tours for small groups (up to 12 guests) giving a more personal touch to the experience of visiting the Chatham Islands, while also catering for the needs of the independent traveler. Greg's guided tours include historical, cultural, and geological sites of interest around the island. Meanwhile, Rosemarie will be back at the Lodge preparing home cooked farm style meals for you. Your hosts will make sure your stay at Awarakau Lodge a memorable one.

Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai haere mai. Custom transfers from Turangi to Tongariro National Park, Ruapehu and Taupō; Airport, Bus, Train. Tongariro Alpine Crossing transfers include our unique Māori cultural experience from our Rotoaira Homestead. Contact us and BOOK NOW. 

NEW Wairua Journey greets and welcomes you with quality assurance to enjoy and experience from the Maunga - Mount Tongariro - to the Awa - Whanganui River.  Authentic local’s will share with you their Culture, Knowledge and Stories along the way with photography opportunities and where memories will be made everlasting.

If you are contemplating visiting the Chatham Islands, Pitt Island is a must see. Flowerpot Bay Lodge offers beach front accommodation on Pitt Island for Couples, Families and Groups. Pitt Island is the second main inhabited Island in the Chatham Islands group, arguably one of the most remote holiday destinations in the world. Pitt Island is the first place in the world to see the sun rise each day and has some of the region’s most spectacular scenery, bird life, botany, geology, fishing, diving and hunting experiences.

Pitt Island is situated to the south of Chatham Island. Here you can you see such a variety of outstanding landscapes, gather and feast on seafood you can gather yourself without requiring a boat, hear your fill of birdsong then spot the source (sometimes endangered species), climb to the point that the sun shines first with the dawning of a new day, and from the same spot see the season's newest wandering albatross chick, lick your chops after a scumptious feed of wild pork, wild mutton or even weka! We can organise it for you.

This fascinating and raw tour of New Zealand's oldest Prison will take you on a historic journey through the undulating corridors which survived the 1931 Napier Earthquake. The corridors are twisted and walls misshapen. In this audio tour you'll learn about some of the most terrifying prisoners including drug barons and mass murderers and an infamous "Eye Eater". Check out the graffiti on the prisoner's bed bases and hear how toothpaste had multiple uses for incarcerated criminals. You will hear tales about villains, victims and heroes.

The Bay of Islands is home to Taiamai Tours heritage journeys and the Ngapuhi nation is New Zealand’s largest tribal Māori group. Our interactive Waka (traditional Māori war canoe) experience provides a rare and unique insight into our ancient customs, rituals and traditions. We invite you to join us on a voyage into our world where you will gain an understanding of our culture. We share our histories and stories as we paddle our 50ft Waka Taua (War Canoe) together on the tidal estuaries of the Waitangi River.

Te Ana is focused on the ancient Maori rock drawing sites and rich tribal history of the Aoraki region. Established by Ngai Tahu, the largest Māori tribe in the South Island, this innovative not-for-profit venture has conservation at its heart with 100% of the profit returned to the protection of the rock art sites. Hosted by local Ngai Tahu guides, visitors explore the rock drawings through hosted experiences at the new Rock Art Centre in Timaru, and on guided tours to the region’s most iconic Māori rock art sites.

Canyonz has been operating for more than 10 years offering North Island guided canyoning trips through some of the most beautiful landscape New Zealand has to offer. The owners aim to make it not just the best canyoning trip in New Zealand, but the best 'true adventure' experience in the country! With their expertise and enthusiasm for outdoor adventure they will guarantee your experience is positively mind blowing. Canyonz is ranked one of the top activities in New Zealand on Tripadvisor and received a certificate of excellence three years in a row.