New Zealand Travel Agents

Hi Christina , we all had such an amazing time , so lucky with the weather, we saw some pretty fantastic sights , with a few off beat ones . The guides were equally knowledgeable , a lifetime of memories made. Thank you for your help.
Just have to sort the hundreds of photos and videos taken of all the breathtaking sites seen.

What separates the excellent from the merely very good is how they deal with problems. Sabina came through in spades.
Cyclone Gabrielle arrived the week before our arrival and disrupted our itinerary.
She worked overtime to ensure our trip was still wonderful.
While others were struggling with reservations and ferry crossings, everything went smoothly for us.
In addition, the hotels Sabina booked were great. As we had asked, she booked at various price points from moderate to... read more

What separates the excellent from the merely very good is how they deal with problems. Sabina came through in spades.
Cyclone Gabrielle arrived the week before our arrival and disrupted our itinerary.
She worked overtime to ensure our trip was still wonderful.
While others were struggling with reservations and ferry crossings, everything went smoothly for us.
In addition, the hotels Sabina booked were great. As we had asked, she booked at various price points from moderate to luxury.
Each was unique and lovely. In no way were they cookie cutter rooms.
Finally, Sabina worked hard to include all the activities we wanted.
In conclusion we recommend Kim-Kim and Sabina very highly.

Activity Review

Hukafalls Jet

New Zealand

An adrenaline rush.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phoebe and her team at Zip Line were amazing. Phil on the jet boat at Lake Taupo was particularly good with the younger children. The bus trip to the north of the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga were enjoyable but too long a day. Accommodation was all good. read more

Phoebe and her team at Zip Line were amazing. Phil on the jet boat at Lake Taupo was particularly good with the younger children. The bus trip to the north of the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga were enjoyable but too long a day. Accommodation was all good.

Hotel Reviews

Arista of Rotorua

Rotorua

Small hotel run by owners was extremely well run, very clean, well located and staff very helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Admiral's View Lodge

Paihia

The owner made us very welcome with a broad knowledge of the locale, restaurants and things to do locally. the hotel was very well situated for all the tourist activities.

Authenticity & Character

It was a small and pleasant beachside town.

Location

Locale was excellent

Staff

Very efficient

Cleanliness & Comfort

Excellent

Nesuto Stadium Auckland

Auckland

We felt there was a shortage of trained staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Good

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Free Day in Auckland

Auckland

Mostly we were recovering from the long overnight flight from Perth.

Quality of Experience

Good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A good friendly driver collected at 06.00hrs and gave us some verbal guidance

Transport

Good size vehicle for six tired people.

Hole in the Rock Cruise

New Zealand

Everybody enjoyed the experience in spite of inclement weather.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bay of Islands & Township of Russell

New Zealand

The weather was appalling so we gave it a miss

Quality of Experience

The weather

Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach

New Zealand

The length of the all day trip was too long

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Russell

New Zealand

The weather was too bad and we stayed in Paihia

Quality of Experience

Didn't happen

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Can't comment

Transport

The weather

Explore Rotorua on Your Own

Rotorua

We went to the geo thermal park. Spent time at the luge park. Just generally enjoyed being being in Rotorua for several days.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff at Zip Line were very professional and caring

Transport

Rotorua Forest Canopy Tour

Rotorua

The organisation was superb and the staff exceptional most notably Phoebe and her crew.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hukafalls Jet

New Zealand

The jet boat and the staff were very experienced and caring for individual situations from Children to mature adults

Quality of Experience

The excitement

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Phil was excellent

Transport

Very safe and well monitored

Explore the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

New Zealand

We were given a detailed explanation of the history and the local Maori involvement

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Depart New Zealand

New Zealand

We had a final short overnight stay and very early flights

Quality of Experience

Transport

Returning car rental was a challenge at the airport

This was a trip of a lifetime for my husband and I. Sabina developed the most action-packed 23 days in New Zealand's south island. We did all of the helicopter items, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning, jet boating, kayaking, and stargazing. Our cups were full by the end of the trip. In fact we didn't want to leave!

Trip was fabulous. We so enjoyed the natural and cultural beauty of the country, both the North and South Island. The drivers, guides and activities made the trip so enriching and comprehensive.
All hotels were excellent. We slept so well with comfortable and top rate beds and accommodations, and we had great views in all the important places, with spectacular views of Mt. Cook and also Auckland and Queenstown. We enjoyed all activities, particularly the range of activities. ... read more

Trip was fabulous. We so enjoyed the natural and cultural beauty of the country, both the North and South Island. The drivers, guides and activities made the trip so enriching and comprehensive.
All hotels were excellent. We slept so well with comfortable and top rate beds and accommodations, and we had great views in all the important places, with spectacular views of Mt. Cook and also Auckland and Queenstown. We enjoyed all activities, particularly the range of activities. Special mention regarding Chuki, the Maori guide to the Tarawera crater, Craig, the guide to Milford, and Stu, the driver guide to Kaikoura. Top-rated activities were being in, hiking and spending Christmas at Mt. Cook National park, Tarawera crater walk, despite terrible weather (the only bad weather day), swim with the dolphins (too cold for Jennifer but John enjoyed being in the water while Jennifer enjoyed from the boat), jet ski safari, Earnslaw SSS steamboat and sheep demonstration outing and renting/riding e-bikes in Gibbston Valley to ride along the Arrow river gorge and the wineries. Work staff in many locations was notably affected - restaurants opened short hours and sometimes only on certain days - we discussed with the locals who explain the confluence of factors emerging from Covid that resulted in the labor shortage. Aukland airport hotel was the only downer of a hotel really - it was New Year's Even and the place was mediocre and the eating/drinking options were not open. The trip was aggressive at the beginning and a little unsure about a few details initially because we had to be on target for making the schedule early in the trip, but everything worked out well and we communicated with both Liz and the in country support agent Sharon to ask a few questions and sort out a few minor details. Many thanks to Liz for all her hard work on the trip to provide a very customized and comprehensive itinerary. New Zealand is a naturally beautiful country with hospitable people and good food and coffee. We look forward to a future trip to Australia as well. Cheers, Jennifer Archer

Hotel Reviews

M Social Auckland

Auckland

Staff were extremely helpful in Jennifer obtaining her backpack from the uber and in preparing the special take away breakfast in the morning. Room configuration and room design was a little strange with the shower open to view from the other parts of the room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pullman Rotorua

Rotorua

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rutherford Hotel Nelson

Nelson

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It felt a little weird because we felt like one of only less than a handful of guests there and the restaurants and other parts of the hotel were not fully functional (probably due to the staffing shortage and the season). But is was a lovely top older hotel and had a washer and dryer which was much appreciated

Crowne Plaza Christchurch

Christchurch Central

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was small and only a single chair.

Hermitage Hotel

Mount Cook Village

Authenticity & Character

Location

Stellar view - one of the best in our lives

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa

Gibbston

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff who were there were helpful and professional; there was clearly a staff shortgage as many of the operations were not opened or fully functional (e.g., dining capacity and other shop/restaurant venues) again due to staff shortages. Villas were top rate!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima Auckland Airport

Auckland

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Auckland to Rotorua visiting Hobbiton

Auckland

Driver to Hobbiton was extremely knowledgeable and dexterous driving and imparting so much history and Maori tradition/history of the area to us passengers.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tu Te Ra - Maori Cultural Dining Experience

Rotorua

An important experience to have to learn about Maori culture.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Did not care for the cheesy humor of the bus driver to the site

Transport

Half Day Mt Tarawera Crater Walk Experience

Rotorua

Tested my comfort zones but a really cool experience. Weather was cold, windy and cloudy/foggy but still a really cool experience. A little scary but having 2 guides was so important. We felt accomplished at the end.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beaches, Bays & Seals Guided Kayaking Trip

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

We enjoyed the kayaking but perhaps could have seen more wildlife or gone further.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Punting on the Avon

Christchurch

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

N A

Full Day Kaikoura & Swim With Dolphins

Christchurch

Beautiful weather on whole trip except the day in Rotorua and spectacular for day in Kaikoura. The volume and acrobatics of the dusky dolphins was so interesting to watch! We saw them jump and 360s in unison of the whole pod which was really unique and cool. Saw an albatross or 2 as well. John really enjoyed the in water activity. Water too cold for Jennifer, but enjoyed watching the dolphins from the boat. as much from the boat. Also driver stopped to see some more fur seals. Learned about the sperm whales from the movie and demonstration boards at the whaling outfit.

Quality of Experience

Food

It was Christmas Eve which made it hard I think - we did not recieve the afternoon tea or the wine tasting. We did have the lunch with tea or coffee at Kaikoura cafe.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Big Sky Stargazing Adventure

New Zealand

Was canceled due to the southern sky being obscured - although we noted that a good portion of the sky was clear. We should receive a refund for this activity.

Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Really unique experience and love seeing Mt. Aspiring National Park.

Walter Peak Farm and Gourmet Barbecue Lunch

New Zealand

A must do activity in Queenstown.

Quality of Experience

Loved the sheep dog and sheep shearing experience particularly and the piano playing on the boatride back. Wish the sheep demonstration was longer.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise from Queenstown (2 days, 1 night)

Queenstown (NZ)

The bus driver tour guide Craig gave us a special drive to Milford informing us about the history, geology, flora and fauna the whole way and stopping at a few special places, including the historic locomotive in Kingston. We had a special bonding with the 2 other couples that shared the bus ride as well. stopped at wildlife sanctuaries to see the extremely endangered Takahe birds along with the Kea, Antipides parrot, and Kaka. Another beautiful day, it was special to see the bottlenose dolphin pod and all the beec-tree covered fiords and water cascades and glaciers along with Tutoko and Mr. Meiner and other famous peaks. From the plan ride home were were able to see the vastness of the entire Fiordland National Park.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport