North to South Island self drive vacation, New Zealand

Planet

We aim to give an authentic Kiwi experience, following the lead from the people of New Zealand who are committed to protect and preserve their land, for now, and for future generations. To do this, we are dedicated to operating environmentally sustainable tours and following responsible tourism principles; respecting, protecting and benefiting local communities, cultures and the environment.

New Zealand is abundant with beautiful National Parks which are protected to preserve native wildlife and plant species. The Department of Conservation manages the largest areas of these, running programmes to restore species and heritage, and provide opportunities for people to engage with nature. They also manage threats to places and species, including fire, biosecurity and climate change. We urge our clients to follow their guidelines for the protection of New Zealand’s national parks, wildlife and marine mammals. Through DOC we can offer a wealth of information including maps, policies, alerts, weather, track information, safety outdoors, litter guidelines, wildlife protection, and care codes. And any money for entrance fees and DOC guides mean we are supporting the ongoing conservation efforts on research and development ideas, and summer scholarship projects, and native species-specific protection programmes.

We offer our expertise on New Zealand with a detailed itinerary of recommendations of places to stop off along your journey, and great tramping (hiking) trails in National Parks and DOC sites. Such as Waipoua Forest, home to the largest and oldest Kauri trees in the country and a five minute loop to view the largest of all the trees -Tane Mahuta. And suggested activities in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, with New Zealand's tallest mountain Aoraki Mt Cook where you can experience 500 year old icebergs up-close on the Mt Cook terminal lake and native beech forest to a glacier-fed swimming hole.

We also suggest conservation organisations to visit and learn more, such as a National Kiwi Hatchery Tour at a conservation center with kiwi expert guides showing the ongoing work of the kiwi husbandry team. Or Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve which offers many guided tours to try to spot one of the world's rarest birds, the New Zealand white heron or Kotuku nest. And Zealandia wildlife eco-sanctuary, a conservation success and safe haven for some of New Zealand's rarest native animals, Zealandia is home to many remarkable species of birds, reptiles and insects living wild within a beautiful 225 hectare (one square mile) valley, just 10 minutes from the central city.

With respect of the native land at the forefront, we support our clients to show care and consideration when traveling, regard local cultures and explore new places with an open and welcoming heart. For our part in the UK, we are a small, independent family run business with our office in our home, so avoid commuting fuel consumption. And our main vehicle is a hybrid car. We are actively reducing the waste we produce. All printer cartridges and paper is recycled, we recycle and where possible reuse plastic, and use composting methods for waste.

People

Our economic responsibility lies in giving you vacation choices that encompass protecting, preserving and promoting local communities, with careful consideration into the destinations you visit, the way you travel, and the services you choose once you arrive.

We recognise the importance of supporting local cultures through tourism, and are proud to use local companies on the ground which give jobs to people in the area, maintaining the heritage and localised knowledge, as well as supporting families. We wish for tourism to have a positive effect on the local communities you visit, helping them to thrive by giving revenue directly to the people. By using local expert guides, and local producers we can ensure this happens. We also support the Department of Conservation National Parks which provide employment across the country in conservation, research and tourism.

On this trip we include experiences such as Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant where their local chef prepares a gourmet BBQ dinner, with an extensive selection of local New Zealand produce, including succulent meats and a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Hokitika is a great place to explore craft and gifts. The Jade or Greenstone on offer in Hokitika is probably some of the best you will see in the country. And Paringa Salmon Farm where you can feed the fish and stop for lunch and refreshments. Making sure that money is going directly to the businesses and families.
The Maori cultural heritage is an integral part of New Zealand, and we give you the chance to experience it first-hand with visits to craft markets, Maori cultural performances and a traditional hangi feast, giving economic benefits to the community.

As this tour is a self-drive we want to make sure our clients get to experience the real New Zealand and be integrated with its culture and heritage, even though they do not have a tour guide. To do this, and through our knowledgeable local ground agent, we provide information on historic villages, settlements and activities along their route to learn more about places they are visiting. Such as the awarded Te Pa Tu Evening Maori Cultural Experience, with Feast on song, drama, tradition, and native seasonal kai (cuisine). Te Pa Tu shares Maori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting.

Suggested visits to Matakohe Kauri Museum with extensive displays on the region’s logging, farming and social history. Or dinner and a farm tour at Walter Peak Station and a ride on the 100-year-old Steamship the TSS Earnslaw. And Ross, the site of an old gold mining town and one of the few working gold mines left in New Zealand, including the historic Bendigo Reserve, one of Otago's original gold mining settlements.