Haka Tours New Zealand

25/08/2024

Some happy snaps from our recent Snow Safari tour on NZ's South Island ❄

22/08/2024

Why is Spring a great time to travel New Zealand?

September to November is a beautiful time to visit Aotearoa New Zealand. This period is a little quieter, the days are warmer and longer, plus it's a great time to appreciate the beauty of New Zealand's native flora and fauna. Many flowers will start blooming in September and will be gone by the time summer arrives! Our favourites are the Kōwhai tree (our national flower) and the Mount Cook lily. Visitors to New Zealand also love the bright purple lupins that grow around Tekapo (despite them being a controversial, introduced pest!)

Spring is a great time to spot wildlife such as fur seals in Kaikoura and Fjordland crested penguins in Milford. It's an active time for our native birds which are in breeding season - ideal for the bird enthusiasts amongst us! Of course, spring is also the time to spot newborn lambs and calves which will be busy frolicking in the hills.

For those looking for adventure, the spring conditions are great for hiking and the trails are usually a little quieter. The rivers are slightly swollen from the snow melting in the mountains above, which means water activities such as white-water rafting are that much more fun!

We have multiple discounted departures for spring - so if you're looking for an Aotearoa adventure, please head on over to the website!

19/08/2024

Northland and The Bay of Islands 🏝 Famous for its relaxed way of life, pristine beaches, beautiful weather, rich Māori culture and of course, for being the Birthplace of New Zealand.

Our 'Ultimate New Zealand' Haka Plus tour spends 3/4 days in the Northland region, although a five-day 'Enchanting Northland' tour is also available to be booked separately - perfect for those who start or end their New Zealand trip in Auckland.

🐬 Paihia features more than 140 sub-tropical islands dotted around the coastline. Hit the water to enjoy the coves and beaches - cruise through a natural rock archway, explore the ocean floor on a scuba mission, or sail in search of the local dolphins. Alternatively, jump on a boat and head on over to Russell, New Zealand's original capital city and the first permanent European settlement. This historic and quaint town is well worth a visit.

🤿Tutukaka; a coastal gem known for its breathtaking views and was rated as one of the top coastal destinations on the planet by National Geographic Traveller. Tutukaka and the surrounding area is pristine, luscious and full of wonder. The little township offers a few cafes and restaurants, and it's famous for diving.

🛶 Poor Knights Islands; be exhilarated on a full-day cruise. We kayak, snorkel, swim, spot sea mammals and explore caves - or simply doze in the sun (remember your suncream & hat) - it's your choice. The Islands boast 11-million-year-old volcanic origins and features spectacular drop-offs, walls, caves, arches, and tunnels both above and below water. The rich biodiversity, including unique plant, animal, and fish life, makes this destination truly special.

🤍 Waitangi Treaty Grounds - discover the Bay of Islands’ important role in New Zealand’s history with a trip to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where New Zealand's founding document was signed in 1840. We love bringing you here, it’s a truly unforgettable insight into Māori culture. The 35-metre carved waka (ceremonial war canoe), the world’s biggest, is a must-see.

18/08/2024

Some of the ways we travel in Aotearoa New Zealand - part 2 🚉

🗻 Relax and enjoy one of the world's most scenic train journeys as we traverse the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train. Travelling from Greymouth on the west coast to Christchurch on the east, this South Island adventure takes just under five hours.
🌳Uncover New Zealand's breathtaking scenery - from the wild West Coast to the great plains of Canterbury. Soak up striking scenery as the train weaves through gorges and deep ravines, along the pristine Waimakariri River and through the shadows of terrific mountain peaks.
☕ The trains themselves feature award-winning Scenic carriages, with large panoramic windows, comfortable seating, a licensed cafe and open-air viewing carriages.
👀 The magic from your window continues to wow until we reach our final station to disembark.

Honestly, the terrain is so stunning it's hypnotic. Despite the train being built for maximum comfort, this isn't a journey you want to nap through!

17/08/2024

We love hearing your reviews, as do our guides!

Haka Tours was built on a commitment to weave Māori culture into our trips in an authentic and educational way. We strive to foster deep connections between our manuhiri (guests), our land and culture on every single tour. It always brings us great pride when our efforts are recognised by our guests. Thank you, Rachael!

17/08/2024

Calling all The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings fans 🧙‍♂️💍

The real Middle-earth awaits you on all our North Island tours! Introducing Hobbiton, where the magic of JRR Tolkien comes to life. New Zealand is famous for lending its spectacular landscapes to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, by Peter Jackson, and we see many of these locations throughout ours tours. However, there's nowhere more potent in enchantment than The Shire, home to 44 Hobbit Holes and the Green Dragon Inn 🍺

Hobbiton is playful, educational, magical and inspiring! Our guests love visiting, as do we, and it's easy to see why.

15/08/2024

🌏WIN A TRIP! 🎉

Are you considering a trip to Aotearoa New Zealand this Spring/Summer? Lock in your trip for 2024 and be in with a chance to win back the price of your tour! That’s right, choose from any of our Adventure or Haka Plus experiences for the North Island, South Island or both Islands with a departure date before 31st December to win back the full cost of your trip – simple! Terms and conditions here - https://bit.ly/win-TCs

Book your Haka Tours experience before 31st October 2024 to be in to win.

13/08/2024

Here's a puzzler for you - does anyone have any idea what the crew over at Mt Hutt are trying to spell out for us? Because frankly, we don't have a clue. Full marks for creativity and commitment though 🤙

11/08/2024

‼ What ability level do I need to be to join a Snow Safari tour? ‼

This snow tour is the perfect go-to tour for those of all ages, ability and confidence levels 🙌

New Zealand's terrain lends itself well to a wide range of ability levels, so whether it's your first time on snow, you're hitting park for the first time or perhaps you're a seasoned pro - this tour is for you.

Beginners – we love showing you the ropes - and the chair lifts, and the best beginner slopes. If you like, we can provide you with professional support up the mountain to get you up to speed quickly - just let us know if you'd like us to add on a Snow lessons package to your booking.

09/08/2024

Some of the ways we travel in Aotearoa New Zealand - part 1 🚢

For those who are travelling from one island to another with us, we'll be undertaking a small ferry journey from Wellington to Picton, via the Cook Strait. This three-and-a-half-hour voyage is known to be one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world - you only have to glance at this photo to understand why.

Here's some of the scenes you can expect to witness on this journey 🤍

⚓Soak up the beauty of New Zealand's capital city from the sea, as the ferry loops around Wellington Harbour.
🌊 Feel the adventure as we navigate through a dramatic and rugged channel where the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean collides.
🌄Be awe inspired as we drift through the fjord-like channels and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. It's so beautiful, it can be hard to comprehend.
🐳 During the winter months, whales can be seen migrating through the channel - which is why whaling was such big business until outlawed in the 1960s. Year round you can expect to see dolphins, and sometimes seals and albatross.

A fact for you:
⛵ The strait is named after James Cook, the first European commander to sail through it, in 1770. In Māori it is named Te Moana-o-Raukawa, which means The Sea of Raukawa - Raukaua is a type of woody shrub native to New Zealand.

Have you been on this journey? Let us know in the comments below, we love to hear your travel stories.

08/08/2024

Join our Snow Safari tour on the 22nd August for only $2549NZD - that's only $320 per day.

📅 22nd - 29th August, with six days spent on the mountain!
🛌 Accommodation provided for 7 nights
🚌 Travel from Christchurch to Queenstown, all transport provided, incl. mountain shuttles
🏂 Six lift passes included for Mt Hutt, Ohau, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone
🥣 Enjoy daily breakfast
💚 One spare day in Queenstown, to adventure as you please!
👩‍🦰 A great group to explore the mountains with, a maximum of 16 per tour

Only limited spots available - check out the website for other tour departure dates. Come join us for the ultimate snow adventure this winter ❄

07/08/2024

This is what life on one of our Snow Safari tours in Ōhau looked like last week 💙

Here's to bluebird days, new mountain mates and to living each day to the full 🍻

01/08/2024

What was that? Fresh snow in New Zealand’s South Island? ✅ Here’s a sneak peak from up today 🏂

Don’t miss out - there are still spaces available on our Snow Safari tours!

29/07/2024

Thank you to Sam & Hayden for taking the time to leave us a review! ⭐

24/07/2024

We often get asked, what's the difference between a Haka Plus and an Adventure tour?

That's a great question, so we've popped a brief summary for you below.

💲 Adventure tours are a lower price point than our Haka Plus itineraries.
🧔👩‍🦱 On average, our Haka Plus tours tends to attract a slightly older crowd than our Adventure tours.
🛌🛌Our Adventure tours stay in backpacker style dorm rooms, whilst our Haka Plus tours stay in twin share 3- or 4-star hotels. Guests can upgrade to a private bedroom at an additional cost on any tour, subject to availability.
🤙 Each of our tours include certain activities, however these inclusions vary with Haka Plus including slightly more premium ones.
🚌 Our vehicle is slightly different for Adventure & Haka Plus tours.
💨 The pace of these tours is slightly different, Adventure tours tend to stay in places for a single night, with a few multi-night exceptions, whereas we tend to stay two nights on Haka Plus tours - with a few single night stop offs.

All our tours have the same maximum group size, tend to visit a lot of the same locations and will have an expert guide leading the group.

Oh, and you'll have an amazing time regardless! Have you been on one of our tours? How did you find it?

22/07/2024

Our Legendary Tour is aptly named as it's the adventurous, fun filled tour of New Zealand that dreams are made of! - Big call, we know.

Over three weeks we visit secluded beaches, glacier-fed lakes, mountainous ranges and lush rainforests. We uncover and learn more about Māori culture, have brief encounters with native wildlife and learn how to be a more conscious traveller.

Some activities that are included are:

🙌 The chance to learn the Haka and taste a Hangi, a traditional Māori meal. Cooked in an underground earth oven you can expect tender meat and delicious vegetables infused with a smoky, earthy fragrance – it will fill your puku (belly) right up! Not a meat eater? Not a problem, there are plenty of other tasty options available for you.
🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton / Matamata - the real Middle-earth. An incredible experience even if you're not a Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit fan (although we're confident you will be after this trip)! Experience life as a hobbit! No, really!
🚤 A beautiful ferry ride across the Cook Strait, taking you from North to South (or in reverse if you're starting your trip in Christchurch). This stunning boat trip is not only functional, but also breathtaking and, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
💚 Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant with us in Hokitika, an experience that feels quite spiritual! You'll leave with a momento to keep forever.
📷 See native Kiwi birds up close!! There is no kiwi bird emoji here sadly, so a camera will have to do. Remember, these birds are rare and nocturnal - so make sure you turn the flash off!

21/07/2024

We love hearing your feedback, thank you so much for sharing with us, Charlene! ⭐

18/07/2024

We love a bluebird day!

15/07/2024

Sometimes we ski, sometimes we play & sometimes we après!

Your Snow Safari tour includes:

🏂 Ski passes for six of NZ's best mountains: Mt Hutt, Ohau, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables (featured in these photos).
🛌 Accommodation for seven nights
🚌 Transport for the duration of your trip from Christchurch to Queenstown (or reverse, depending which way you're touring!), plus mountain drop off & pick-ups every day of your tour - meaning no waiting in bus queues or hiking up from car park 4 *groan* with all your gear!
🥣 Daily breakfast provided by your guide
👦 An experienced tour guide
📅 A free day whilst in Queenstown, so you can make your own plans to head up the ski field (or heli ski!!), embark on an adventure activity, book onto a day trip to Milford Sound, or just relax and rest those legs!
✔ Small group numbers - we cap our guest numbers at 16 to make sure you have a personalised & intimate experience.
💙 Perfect for solo travellers to meet other likeminded travellers!

15/07/2024

Here's a snippet of what three days look like in the North Island, on one of our Adventure or Haka Plus tours.

☀ Cathedral Cove - Located in the Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is a stunning beach with incredible rock formations, including a fully formed rock archway. You might recognise the location from The Chronicles of Narnia. You can kayak out to Cathedral Cove and spot some dolphins as you paddle!
🧙‍♂️ Hobbiton / Matamata - A must-do even if you haven't watched the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit films. We enjoy a fully guided tour of Middle earth, where we get up close to Hobbit Holes, visit the Mill and sit back with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. It's like nowhere else on earth!
🌋 Rotorua - The North Island Volcanic Plateau covers much of central North Island, however Rotorua is exceptional for its geothermal activity. With striking neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, active volcanoes and geysers galore, there are more unique natural wonders to be found in Rotorua than most places in the world. It's also well known for showcasing Aotearoa's fascinating Māori culture. There are so many activities to do in Rotorua - enjoying soaking in a natural hot stream, explore terrain on the Crater Hike, scale new heights zip riding or head down a hill in an inflatable ball!

05/07/2024

Our team headed up The Remarkables in Queenstown earlier this week to grab some real time snow content to share, and mother nature did not disappoint. What a beauty of a day we had!

Have you explored the South Island's mountains in winter? Which ski field was your favourite?

100% Pure New Zealand

04/07/2024

Have you heard? The snow is here and you could be too!
Check out the article by Miss Snow It All to find out how you can rip it up on the slopes this season, on NZ's best value ski tour!

If you’ve been looking for an epic guided snow tour in New Zealand for the winter months, look no further.

03/07/2024

This is what our morning looked like - looking on form and feeling great! 👌🏼

26/06/2024

Te Matahi o te Tau is also known as Māori New Year in Aotearoa / New Zealand

The appearance of the Matariki star cluster just before dawn, mid-sky in mid-winter marks the Māori new year. This year Matariki is recognised tomorrow, on the 28th June, and it changes every year in line with the Māori lunar calendar.

Matariki is very special, it's a time to acknowledge those who have passed, to celebrate the present and to plan for the future.

The Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, has kindly provided the below instruction on how you can find Matariki.

‘Look towards the eastern horizon before the sun rises, and follow these steps to find Matariki:

- Find three bright stars in a line. Māori call these stars Tautoru; they are also known as Orion’s belt.
- Next, trace to the left of Tautoru until you come to a group of stars that look like a pyramid. This is Te Kokotā.
- Finally, if you look to the left of Te Kokota, you will see Matariki.

The first sighting of Matariki will be from a high vantage point. As one of the star clusters closest to earth, it is one of the most obvious to the naked eye as it’s one of the brightest ⭐

Please let us know if you witness Matariki rising tomorrow.
📷 Miles Holden

25/06/2024

Winter in the mountains 💙 There's no place we'd rather be!

Snow Safari tours are still available for July through September for those of you who are still considering a ski or snowboard holiday! Please note mid August departures are SELLING OUT FAST!

8 days, 6 mountains & SO MUCH FUN! ❄🏂🏿⛷

22/06/2024

Our South Island tours give you the opportunity to visit Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, which Rudyard Kipling famously described as the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Milford Sound is located in the mighty Fiordland and is of outstanding natural beauty.

Visitors to this area can discover dolphins, penguins, and seals safe within the protection of the Marine Reserve and there's no greater feeling than seeing these animals in their natural habitat 😍 There is also a number of native birds that call this Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site home. Other than the cheeky kea pictured here, can you name any other birds that lucky and respectful travellers might spot?

19/06/2024

Find your mountain tribe on our Snow Safari tour this winter! If you're looking to explore the South Island ski fields but you're unsure about heading up the mountains by yourself, this is your sign to book a Haka's snow tour! It's perfect for solo travellers of all abilities and ages!

15/06/2024

We were thrilled to read this review from Karen, who recently returned from her New Zealand Uncovered Tour. It always brings us so much joy knowing that people choose Haka Tours for their holiday and trust us to show them the best of Aotearoa. Thank you!

13/06/2024

Are you looking for a comprehensive, premium tour of New Zealand this winter? Our 20 day 'New Zealand Uncovered Tour' could be what you're looking for. The itinerary includes:

♨ Geothermal wonders
⛰ Other-worldly glaciers
🏖 Sublime beaches
🌳 Lush forests
🌄 Lofty mountains
🏊🏿‍♀️ Secluded swimming spots
✨ UNESCO World Heritage Areas
🌴 Flora and fauna
🌏 Heritage and culture

You'll enjoy activities such as:

🚤 Boat cruise on both Lake Wanaka and the West Coast surf town of Raglan
💍 A fully guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set
🥘 A traditional Māori meal and cultural experience
💚 A tour of 'Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne' ecosanctuary, home to some of New Zealand's most rare and extraordinary wildlife
🥂 Taste some of the world’s best sauvignon blanc at a Marlborough wine tasting
⛴ Ride one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world, over the Cook Strait
🚂 One of the world's most scenic train journeys on the TranzAlpine from West Coast to Christchurch

From North to South, we'll fill your days with the best things to see and do and also give you a great insight into New Zealand life and culture. At the end of the day, you can relax in comfortable 3–4 star accommodation to ensure you have a great night’s sleep ready for the following day’s activities. This is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible 😊
.psssst, we still have a few spots left on our August departure!

11/06/2024

Lake Tekapo is a memorable place, ask anybody about their New Zealand adventure and we have no doubt they will be buzzing with praise for this beautiful town located in the Mackenzie Region on the South Island.

Lake Tekapo is awe-inspiring year-round, it's stunning by day and truly dazzling by night. Clear skies, high altitude, the still lake and the lack of artificial light pollution makes this one of the darkest places in New Zealand and it’s the perfect place to do some stargazing ✨ So perfect, in fact, that it holds international recognition as a Dark Sky Reserve.

Watch the heavens above rotate, gaze at the Milky Way glittering across from one horizon to the other, and be awestruck by how vast the visible universe is! The 'symphony of colour' really comes to life from April to September, so if you're travelling on our Southern Lick tour this winter, you're in for a treat.