As October comes to a close, we’re looking back at a busy month of catch-ups with suppliers across New Zealand. We heard from a dark sky stargazing and hot pools experience in Lake Tekapo, Waiheke Island’s most experienced tour operator, a trio of helicopter companies covering Te Anau, Milford Sound and Stewart Island, and the team behind Christchurch’s most iconic attractions. Here’s a recap of what these suppliers shared with us throughout October — from soaking under the southern stars, to sipping wine on Waiheke, flying over Fiordland, and riding the tram through Christchurch.
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1. Tekapo Springs & Stargazing – Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Set within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Tekapo Springs & Stargazing pairs some of the clearest night skies in the world with the warmth of a private hot pool. Its signature Soak in the Stars tour is a 90-minute guided experience that begins with astronomy and Māori star stories, before guests settle into an exclusive-use hot pool heated to 37.5–38.5°C, with their guide poolside throughout to point out the celestial sights above.
For a shorter option, Scope at the Stars is a 60-minute telescope-led tour that finishes well before midnight, making it an easy fit for families and tour groups, and every ticket includes a complimentary daytime hot pools pass at Tekapo Springs.
Why recommend Tekapo Springs & Stargazing to your clients:
Stargazing is one of the most requested experiences in the Mackenzie Basin, and Tekapo Springs gives agents a polished, weather-proof way to sell it. Every booking is guaranteed to go ahead, with an immersive virtual reality night sky journey replacing telescope viewing on cloudy nights, so clients never miss out. The two tour formats also let agents match different client types, with Soak in the Stars suiting couples and adults seeking something special, and Scope at the Stars working well for families, groups and those wanting an earlier night.
What’s new/exciting:
- Private luxury pools are on the way, with delivery due in October 2028. Six scattered canopies will offer private soaking with views towards the lake.
- Soak in the Stars now operates seven evenings a week from October to April, with start times adjusted seasonally to ensure the darkest skies.
- Scope at the Stars is back for the October–April season, with a complimentary daytime hot pools pass included, valid on the day of the tour or the day after.
- The Virtual Reality experience brings the Tekapo night sky to life with 360° imagery captured above Lake Tekapo, including the Church of the Good Shepherd and Mt John summit, ensuring every night is a stargazing night.
- Māori astronomy and storytelling are woven through the guided experience, adding cultural depth beyond the telescope.
2. Ananda Tours – Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
Ananda Tours is a family-owned Waiheke company that has been showcasing the island for 27 years, making it the most experienced tour operator on Waiheke. Running small shared-group and private tours daily, Ananda combines local expert guides with close relationships across the island’s wineries, restaurants, olive groves and galleries to deliver a premium food and wine experience.
The range is broad, from the popular Essence of Waiheke Wine tour (three vineyards, lunch and a glass of wine) and Gourmet’s Food & Wine tour (wine, olive oil and oysters), to the art and garden-focused Waiheke Naturally tour, plus private, luxury and fully customised options, including a VIP heli-transfer package.
Why recommend Ananda Tours to your clients:
Waiheke is one of Auckland’s most popular day trips, and Ananda Tours gives agents a trusted, long-established way to sell it. The breadth of product means there’s an option for almost any client, from first-time visitors wanting a classic wine and lunch experience, to couples seeking something more private, to corporate groups. Ananda regularly handles large delegate groups, including 140 guests for a single international event, and its guaranteed service ethos, including free pick-ups for guests who miss the ferry, adds extra confidence for agents.
What’s new/exciting:
- Waiheke Naturally Tour explores art, gardens, olive oil tasting and a beach stroll, ideal for clients wanting to see Waiheke beyond the vineyards.
- The VIP Heli-Transfer Package combines helicopter transfers with a fine dining lunch for the ultimate Waiheke splurge.
- Ananda Black offers fully customised tours showcasing the best of the island for clients wanting to experience Waiheke as a VIP.
- Accommodation packages, including a two-night stay at Onetangi Beach Apartments with a Gourmet Wine Tour, make it easy to extend a day trip into a longer stay.
- Specialist private options include a Beer, Whisky and Gin Tour and a Private Nature, Olive Oil and Walking Tour, plus Waiheke Luxury Transfers for discreet VIP service.
3. Te Anau, Milford & Stewart Island Helicopters – Fiordland & Stewart Island, New Zealand
Three sister companies, Te Anau Helicopter Services, Milford Helicopters and Stewart Island Helicopters, together offer helicopter access to some of New Zealand’s most remote and spectacular landscapes. Te Anau Helicopter Services has been flying since 2014, offering scenic flights, adventure packages and hiking transport across Fiordland. Milford Helicopters, the only helicopter company based in Milford Sound, joined the family in 2020, while Stewart Island Helicopters launched the island’s first scenic helicopter experiences in 2016.
Together they cover flights over Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound, glacier and waterfall landings, Great Walk and hiking transport, and scenic flights over Rakiura Stewart Island.
Why recommend these helicopter experiences to your clients:
A helicopter flight is often the standout moment of a New Zealand holiday, and having three connected operators across Te Anau, Milford Sound and Stewart Island makes it easy for agents to build helicopter experiences into a South Island itinerary. Packages combining a flight with a Milford Sound cruise, coach transfer or flyback to Queenstown or Te Anau let clients tailor the day to their time and budget, while all three companies are Qualmark Gold accredited and aligned with the Tiaki Promise.
What’s new/exciting:
- New product alert: the helicopter group has partnered with Southern Discoveries to launch three new experiences: a Coach Special ex Milford Sound, a Coach, Cruise & Heli fly back to Te Anau, and a Heli, Cruise, Heli ex Te Anau. All options are also available for private charter.
- Milford Helicopters offers glacier flights, Sutherland Falls and a Grand Tour of the Fiordland region, plus flybacks to Queenstown and Te Anau and heli-plus-cruise combinations.
- Hiking transport options, including the Kepler Track Heli Hike, Dusky Sound Track transport and Hollyford Track transport, give keen trampers a unique way to start or finish a hike.
- Stewart Island Helicopters offers half and full island scenic flights, island hopping, a Heli-Ferry Package and a day trip to Stewart Island, a great option for clients wanting to explore Rakiura without a long ferry commitment.
4. Christchurch Attractions – Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch Attractions brings together the city’s most iconic experiences under one locally owned family business, operating since 2005. Guests can ride the historic Christchurch Tram, take in sweeping views from the Christchurch Gondola, glide along the Avon River on a traditional punt, join a 50-minute guided Botanic Gardens tour, or dine aboard New Zealand’s only Tramway Restaurant.
With each of its five attractions holding Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Awards, Christchurch Attractions is a well-recognised and trusted operator for agents building Christchurch itineraries.
Why recommend Christchurch Attractions to your clients:
Christchurch Attractions gives agents a simple, well-priced way to fill a day or two in the city, whether clients are staying a night before heading south or spending a few days exploring. The combo passes reward clients for booking more, making it easy to upsell from a single attraction to a full-day itinerary, and the range of experiences means there’s something for couples, families and cruise visitors alike.
What’s new/exciting:
- The Christchurch Pass bundles a Tram one-day pass, Gondola entry and a Punting on the Avon ride into one value-packed ticket.
- Tram & Gondola and Tram & Punting combos give clients a flexible way to see Christchurch by rail, river or hill.
- The Tramway Restaurant offers a curated, seasonal dining experience aboard a heritage tram, with a new Spring 2026 menu now available.
- The Botanic Gardens Tour is a relaxed 50-minute guided journey with live commentary, highlighting the gardens’ seasonal best.
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