Kia ora! Each month, our team has the pleasure of meeting with New Zealand travel suppliers and operators who visit our office to share their latest updates. These sessions help keep us up to date with exciting product changes, unique experiences, and traveller trends. We’re delighted to pass on these highlights to you, so you can share the very best of Aotearoa with your clients.
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1. Auckland & Beyond Tours
Auckland & Beyond Tours offers immersive adventures that showcase the best of New Zealand’s largest city and its stunning surrounds. Begin your journey with guided tours through Auckland’s vibrant urban heart, where history, culture, and modern flair converge. Venture further afield to discover breathtaking beaches, geothermal wonders, and lush countryside on expertly curated day trips and multi-day excursions. Thrill-seekers can enjoy activities like black water rafting, jet boating, or hiking volcanic landscapes, while those seeking a slower pace can sip world-class wines, savour local cuisine, or soak in natural hot pools. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline-fueled experiences or tranquil escapes in spectacular settings, Auckland & Beyond Tours crafts unforgettable moments that go beyond the ordinary, making it the perfect gateway to explore New Zealand’s treasures.
What sets Auckland & Beyond Tours apart?
- Immersive small-group tours that go beyond sightseeing to create meaningful connections with New Zealand’s culture, history, and people.
- Flexible & fully customisable experiences showcasing hidden gems alongside iconic highlights for a balanced and authentic journey.
- Passionate guides who bring destinations to life with stories, local insights, and personalised attention.
Company Updates & News:
- Recently launched a series of new experiences in Auckland including a Jade Carving, Evening Kiwi Bird Encounter, and sailing charters onboard Yonder Star yacht.
- Auckland & Beyond Tours have just been awarded Qualmark Gold Accreditation, recognising their excellence in visitor experience, health & safety, and commitment to sustainability.
Staff Pick: Auckland City Discovery Tour from $194 per person
2. Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours offers guided wilderness kayak tours, boat tours and guided walks on Lake Mapourika — part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Switch gears and join a guided Off-Road Adventure tour, and ride their quad bikes and buggies through glacial riverbed and rainforest tracks. In addition to these experiences, they actively support their Wilderness Tours Regeneration Project – a charitable initiative focused on restoring native habitat by planting local trees, removing invasive species, and involving both staff and guests in hands-on conservation work, ensuring their operations give back to the land they explore.
What sets Franz Josef Wilderness Tours apart?
- Free high quality digital photos included with our kayak & quad bike tours!
- 1000’s of 5 star reviews – personable & memorable tour guides!
- Operating within a predator free region, part of a kiwi conservation area and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Company Updates & News:
- Launched Wilderness Tours Reneration Project – a charitable trust giving back to the local community and land they operate in
Staff Pick: 3 Hour Kayak Classic Tour from $169 per person
3. Mackenzie Helicopters
Based in Lake Tekapo, right on the Starlight Highway between Christchurch and Queenstown, Mackenzie Helicopters offers completely tailored experiences designed to showcase the South Island in style. Unlike operators with fixed packages, every journey is customised, ensuring your clients enjoy something truly personal and memorable.
Why recommend Mackenzie Helicopters to your clients?
- Tailored luxury or adventure – Options range from relaxed scenic flights paired with vineyard visits and private mountain hot tubs, through to heli-skiing, hunting, and rugged backcountry adventures in the Mackenzie High Country.
- Family-owned expertise – With strong local knowledge and a highly personal approach, they work closely with each client (and agent) to design the perfect day in the air.
- Prime location for itineraries – Conveniently situated at Lake Tekapo, making it easy to include in routes between Christchurch, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Queenstown.
- Signature experiences – A standout favourite is the High Altitude Whisky Hut & Golf trip, from $3,370 per person, offering a once-in-a-lifetime blend of scenery, indulgence, and adventure.
Agent Tip: Mackenzie Helicopters is ideal for travellers seeking something “beyond the brochure” – whether luxury couples wanting secluded romance, or adventure seekers chasing alpine thrills. Build it into high-end FIT itineraries, luxury lodge stays, or as a premium add-on for clients who have “seen it all.”
4. Skyline Rotorua
Skyline Rotorua delivers a blend of adventure, scenery, and relaxation that captures the spirit of Rotorua. Start your journey with a gondola ride up Mt Ngongotahā, where breathtaking views of the lakes and geothermal landscapes unfold. For thrill-seekers, the gravity-fueled Luge, ziplines, and Skyswing offer adrenaline-pumping fun, while purpose-built mountain bike trails challenge riders of all levels. Prefer a gentler pace? Enjoy a leisurely stroll through nature, sip on locally crafted wines, or indulge in a dining experience with panoramic vistas. Whether you’re chasing high-energy adventure or laid-back moments surrounded by stunning scenery, Skyline Rotorua creates experiences to suit every visitor, making it a must-do destination in the heart of New Zealand.
What sets Skyline Rotorua apart?
- Must Do iconic Rotorua Attraction – Open year-round and in all weather
- Home of Adventure and the Luge – Experience the world-famous Luge (invented right here in Rotorua) alongside a range of thrilling activities such as Hyfly Zipline and the Skyswing
- World-Class dining – Enjoy a buffet lunch or dinner featuring award winning cuisine at Stratosfare Restaurant, with panoramic views of Rotorua
Company Updates & News:
- 40th Birthday – Skyline Rotorua celebrated its 40th Birthday in March this year
- As part of ongoing sustainability efforts, the company is nearing completion of its solar project, which will see 288 solar panels installed onsite
Staff Pick: Gondola & 3 Luge Rides from $90 per person
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