September 25, 2018

New Zealand is a small country with a big heart, a land of spectacular beauty, unique history, vibrant and diverse cultures, and famous for its stunning natural environments and landscapes. With 15,000 kilometers of uncrowded coastline and hidden gems spread from the top of the North Island to the depths of the South Island, there is a unique piece of New Zealand waiting to be discovered.

New Zealand's 4.4 million friendly and down-to-earth people — nicknamed ‘Kiwis’ — will be one of the things you treasure most about your visit. The Māori people are the native population, although New Zealand today is home to a wide mix of ethnicities including many people from the surrounding Pacific Islands. Getting to know New Zealand’s relaxed and friendly people will be one of the things you love most about your visit. Strike up conversations along your journey — a casual chat at a bar or restaurant or at a local market — it’s the best way to get insider knowledge on the area you’re visiting and you may even pick up the local Kiwi lingo and make new life-long friends!

New Zealand is also paradise for culinary explorers, and the best way to experience New Zealand is through the lens of its food and wine. A Pacific island nation fueled by an agricultural economy, it isn’t surprising that NZ cuisine is based around seasonal local ingredients from both the land and the sea. New Zealand’s contemporary chefs are creating uniquely New Zealand, fresh, and innovative fine dining, elevating NZ to more than just an adventure island, but one of the most exciting culinary destinations you can visit.

Throughout your journey, we’ll taste our way around New Zealand and indulge in culinary experiences unavailable to the everyday tourist. We’ll enjoy private tours of Rangihoua’s Olive Oil Estate on Waiheke Island, learning about their olive harvesting techniques and oil processing secrets, and the Zealong Tea Estate, where we’ll see the amazing story in person of how they grew from a few camellia bushes into a shining star in the global world of tea. 

You'll discover how honey makes its way from hive to pot and visit a privately-owned sheep farm to see a real New Zealand farm in action. Enjoy freshly roasted coffee and market style brunch while meeting local producers at New Zealand’s best farmer’s market. In the Marlborough Sounds, go out on the water and visit salmon, mussel, and oyster farms, and of course, visit some of Marlborough’s world famous wineries, enjoying private tours and learning about food and wine matching and viticulture. And while there will be plenty of fine dining, don’t forget to enjoy one of New Zealand’s most iconic meal experiences, fish n’ chips, on the beach.

Sprinkled among these amazing food experiences, you’ll get a taste of the art, culture, and adventure opportunities New Zealand has to offer. Waiheke Island’s Connell’s Bay Sculpture Park showcases some of New Zealand’s best large-scale artists, and try your hand at traditional Maori arts and crafts while learning the history of the Ohinemutu tribe. Make sure you add just enough hikes, walks, and opportunities to build up an appetite. Highlights include kayaking down to Paradise Valley, where the water is naturally hot from geothermal activity and the scenery will take your breath away. Go on a guided Art Deco walking tour of Napier and be given a shot of adrenaline on the Shotover Jet – the ultimate jet boat experience. 

The handcrafted experiences we have put together for you on this journey will be sure to inspire, educate, and ignite your passion for New Zealand’s culture and food! We promise that your belly and soul will return home filled with the magic of this magnificent land.

Highlights of this Adventure:

• Exploring Waiheke Island
• Visiting Rangihoua Olive Oil Estate
• Touring the Zealong Tea Estate
• Kayaking on the Waikato River
• Enjoying Geothermal Hot Springs
• Discovering the Maori Culture
• Tasting NZ’s World-Famous Wines
• Exploring Local Farmer’s Markets
• Learning how Manuka Honey is made
• Traditional Fish n’ Chips Dinner 
• Seeing Milford Sound by Air & Sea
• Experiencing Marlborough Sound
• Visiting a Local Sheep Farm

Itinerary @ a Glance

Day 1 | 

Tour New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city, Auckland, known as 'the city of sails.'

Day 2 | 

Enjoy Waiheke Island’s sandy beaches, native bush, vineyards and olive groves. Includes a private tour of Rangihoua Olive Oil Estate and Waiheke’s Connell’s Bay Sculpture Park.

Day 3 |

Driving through the beautiful farmland of the Waikato to Zealong tea Estate where you will be given a private tour of New Zealand’s only commercial tea plantation and get to try some of the world’s purest, organic tea.

Day 4 | 

Enjoy some of the North Island’s most beautiful natural wonders by kayak. Journey through the Waikato river and down to Paradise valley enjoying the natural beauty of the gorge, gushing geyers, boiling mud pools, naturally hot flowing waterfalls and stunning native New Zealand bush.

Day 5 | 

Learn about traditional New Zealand arts and crafts, the history of the local Ohinemutu tribe and be welcomed onto a Marae.

Day 6 | 

Napier is in the heart of Hawke’s Bay Wine Country and is one of the first places in the world to see the sun come up each day. It is also New Zealand’s Art Deco capital and you’ll enjoy the walking tour learning the history of the area.

Day 7 | 

Meet the local growers at one of New Zealand’s best farmers market, followed by a visit to a honey center to learn about how honey goes from hive to pot. This evening you’ll have one of New Zealand’s most iconic meals, fish n chips on the beach.

Day 8 | 

Fly to New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown and enjoy the ultimate thrill – the Shotover jet.

Day 9 | 

No trip to New Zealand is complete without visiting Milford Sound. Experience it in the ultimate way by light aircraft before boarding a luxury boat to cruise the sound from the water. Enjoy rainforest, waterfalls, mountains and wildlife like you’ve never seen before.

Day 10 | 

There is so much to do in Queenstown the day is yours to pick from mild to wild activities, for example, Bob’s Peak by gondala, cruise on Lake Wakatipu, learn about the history of the gold mining village of Arrowtown, play a round of golf on one a championship course, or visit Kiwi Birdlife Park. The choice is yours!

Day 11 | 

Today we’re off to Blenheim, home to New Zealand’s most famous wineries and boutique breweries.

Day 12 | 

Take a guided hike along a segment of the Queen Charlotte Track. Enjoying the beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds, the rich history and uniquely New Zealand flora and fauna. The afternoon is out on the water visiting salmon, mussel and oyster farms.

Day 13 |

Visiting a sheep farm is an ultimate New Zealand experience, the farm is privately owned and not used for commercial tourism so your experience here is as authentic as it gets.

Day 14 | 

All good things must come to an end. It's time to fly home but don't worry, you can get your New Zealand food goodies from us at The Kiwi Impoter when your back and continuing enjoying the tastes of New Zealand.