Tiaki Tours

20/06/2024

14/06/2024

I am geeking out hard.
For most this pukapuka would be very dense work to read.
But I am lapping it up page for page.
There is nothing better than getting stuck into something which fascinates you.

For me it is learning about how the indigenous people of this area lived. Their deep, reciprocal relationship with the whenua and how they created a life in balance with the elements.

Plus I just love learning the best fishing, gathering, building, crafting, cooking, and medicinal methods suited to this area and the resources at hand. Through a Māori lens the knowledge is deep and thorough.

Tika.

Thanks for the book loan Montessori Children's House Wānaka.

14/03/2024

Are you a seasoned snow sport enthusiast, or maybe just curious about sliding down a mountain? Do you love adventure?
Winter is just around the corner and we want to show you how locals make the most of it in our part of Aotearoa.
Sure we will take you to all the best resorts, show you the best terrain in the conditions on the day and tailor the tour to suit your skill level. But we want you to experience the essence of mountain culture. The people and communities that make wiggling down mountains so special!

If you didn't already know, Hygi has over 30 years experience guiding snow tours in this part of the world and knows these maunga like the back of his hand.
We have a tour catalogue, to give you ideas of the types of holidays we create. But more than anything we want to design a bespoke tour that best suits you. Get in touch to let us know how we can make your snow tour dreams come true!

24/02/2024

These two enjoyed a gourmet picnic at a secluded location on the incredibly scenic Wānaka lakefront.
The Al fresco dining experience began with a plate of fresh, seasonal fruit and veg and a drink of the locally brewed .effectbrewing Wānaka Lager.
We followed up with substantially sized crackers, slathered in a thick layer of locally produced goats cheese, a slab of home grown heritage tomatoes and drips of home made pesto.
After relaxation and digestion they swam in the crystal clear waters of the alpine lake. Needless to say the experience was blissful.

24/02/2024

These two enjoyed a luxury picnic at a secluded location on the beautiful Wānaka lakefront.
The food began with a plate of fresh, seasonal fruit and veg and a drink of the locally brewed beffect 'Wānaka Lager'.
We followed up with substantially sized crackers, slathered in a thick layer of locally produced goats cheese, a slab of home grown heritage tomatoes and drips of home made pesto.
After relaxation and digestion they swam in the crystal clear waters of the alpine lake. Needless to say the experience was blissful.

25/01/2024

https://www.buzzsprout.com/421852/14374276

Check out this recent recording with the Wānaka app. Enger weaves a story of culture, the environment and tourism.

12/12/2023

It was really great to put myself out there at the Wānaka Arts Society exhibition recently, where I was an artist in working for three days.
I featured in the Otago daily times as well as other media like our local news paper.
This piece (see above pic) about me in our local creative collective 'Te Wahi Toi' was an accurate description of my exhibition which I appreciate and loved reading. 🥰

My whole whānau pulled together to help with the kids and other life stuff so that I could have this opportunity. Thanks team!!

23/11/2023

What is 'slow travel'?
Literally just that. To travel more slowly during your vacation, stay in one place longer. When you do this you are able to get a real feel for the place you’re visiting, to connect authentically with the local community and environment.

Being a visitor or tourist is a privilege, often requiring a huge amount of fossil fuel burning to get you to a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself. It comes with a responsibility.
To slow down and listen, listen to the community, listen to the nature of the area. Ask and learn, what is needed of me here? How can I give back?

We love helping you have a deeply meaningful holiday that feels like so much more than just a vacation.

27/10/2023

Still looking for ideas for your staff Christmas doo??
Jump in with us for a wilderness experience and fully catered picnic.
Cruise out to Makarora in our luxury passenger vehicle. Immerse your team in nature and let us care for all the details.

We provide a fully packed chillybin with picnic lunch and non alcoholic beverages. You bring your extra treats for the day.
$270 per person.
7 people max

We include commentary and info on the cultural history of the area, local bushcraft and even Māori basketry.

In Makarora there are add-on options to go jetboating, walking, and so much more.
We can either bring you back to Wanaka that evening, or organise for you to stay at Wonderland Lodge in Makarora for the night, enjoying a catered dinner and drinks with your colleagues at an added expense.

PM us for the details or email [email protected]

04/10/2023

We are excited to announce the launch of the newest addition to our tours.
'Into the Mountains' (as its called) is Enger's own passions and skills manifested as a tour.
She will be taking private groups on personally tailored, bespoke, day adventures, into the wilderness area's surrounding Wānaka.
The idea behind this tour is to help visitors and locals connect more deeply with the natural environment on our doorstep. Through exploration, waterfall discovery, foraging, bushcraft, basketry and a picnic of local wild and farm-to-table food, participants deepen their connection with nature in a holistic way.

27/09/2023

So wonderful to see my garden coming back to life. It's a massive win for the springs greens!!

20/09/2023

It was so awesome to meet and host Our Place Magazine whānau Rachelle, Chris and their gorgeous tamariki. While its always great showing people the epic wilderness on our doorstep, it was really inspiring to collaborate with some like minded kiwi's and talk about what makes us tick. Culture, community and looking after our beautiful country.
After a waterfall discovery and picnic lunch in the mountains, we hosted them at Lake Hawea Station sharing a meal of home grown and wild foods.

12/09/2023

To tour with us is to explore NZ like the locals do, caring for the land the people and the planet with every step.

04/09/2023

Adventure anyone?
This gorgeous couple had an absolute blast exploring the Dart River Valley in Glenorchy, and you wanna know the best thing about it? They explored via E-buggy. No fossil fuels required.

01/09/2023

Regeneration.
We believe not only in treading lightly, but in giving back. Here our guest is planting a tree with the wonderful guide Richie, at Lake Hawea Station, a regenerative, carbon positive farm we love to visit.

29/08/2023

We are total foodies! All our tours include a private chef for an evening. We take this as an opportunity to explore the wild and seasonal food of the region we are in.
This four course dinner was in the wilderness area of Makarora, and featured wild rabbit and venison cooked to perfection.
Our local chef Evelyn wove together her passion for herbal medicine, wild foods and home grown produce in this mid-winter feast. It was nothing short of a masterpiece.

21/08/2023

Its in those joyful moments, those times when you take a breath, look around and think to yourself 'how special it is to be in this place right now?'

18/08/2023

Whanaungatanga

We create a warm and relaxed atmosphere for our guests.
We love to get to know you and therefore help you have a brilliant time.

How gorgeous are these two?? We had just taken them adventuring down a mountain river bed and foraging for wild foods in an ancient forest.

Luckily you kept your feet dry aye Andy 😉.
Andrew Miller Design

13/08/2023

Day three of Engers Rākiura adventure. With the crew Pure Salt Learning about new types of Ika (fish), watching the beautiful process of gyotaku Tim Li Art and seeing how the pro's (Fluer Sullivan!!!!) set a table for a shared, banquet of kaimoana (seafood). The craydogs (like hot dogs but with koura, crayfish) were very cool. Minced up Kōura on a native stick with tempura batter - credit to chef Chris. Next level ingenuity. Needless to say Enger is VERY inspired. What a beautiful collaboration of humans.

12/08/2023

11/08/2023

Travel is fun and exciting, adventures to be had and new places to explore. At Tiaki Tours we take our values very seriously. Its important we tread lightly. From carefully partnering with people who share our values, to traveling via low carbon emission transport, kaitiakitanga is woven throughout every aspect of our operation.

10/08/2023

It was very exciting to embark on this promotional tour with a wonderful group of humans. There was laughter and connection, fine dining and relaxation, adventure and education. All in our signature eco-luxe style.
Legendary photographer and friend was along for the ride, camera in tow and, some of the moments she captured are absolutely magic. We cant wait to share more of them with you over the next little while.

17/07/2023

The Meaning Behind Our Name

Tēnā tātou katoa, We are Tangata Tiriti here in Aotearoa and are the founders of Tiaki Tours. We are Enger Pelosi Fear, Michael Hygemann based in Hāwea, Wānaka, Te Waipounamu (the south island of NZ). We have two beautiful tamariki and three very tame chickens.

Tiaki means to care, protect and conserve. Deciding on an appropriate name such as Tiaki is important to us and comes with a strong obligation. We aim to live into and honor the true meaning of the word. It describes what we feel to be crucial for tourism to operate positively and powerfully on the land here.
We are committed to the nations Tiaki Promise and the concept of regenerative tourism. We believe that tourism can be doing a lot better in terms of giving back to tangata whenua and the land of Aotearoa and Te Waipounaumu. Our aim is to honor our commitment to this beautiful place as lifelong kaitiaki of place, whenua and all activities we engage in as a newly established business.
We are humbly seeking and receiving guidance and advisory support from local hapū/papatipu, established Māori Tourism operators and Indigenous cultural impact agency - Making Everything Achievable to ensure we are operating in accordance with our values and also the values and direction of local communities.
Enger says:
“I have spent the last 15 years of my life quietly learning tikanga and te reo Māori as a Kairaranga and early childhood teacher, learning how to be an effective ally, kaiako and bi-cultural exponent in my mahi. I am always learning and ready and willing to learn more. My background and passion in mahi raranga and environmental sustainability has shown me the importance of having a deep gratitude and respect for mātauranga Māori and te ao māori.”

05/07/2023

Post edit/update; after careful consideration we have penciled in our participants on this trip and are awaiting final confirmations. At this point the places have been filled.
Thankyou everyone for your interest.

Adventure Opportunity Alert!
Tiaki Tours is looking for some willing participants to join us for a promo tour.
We are hitting the road, photographer in tow, to meet the people and experience what we have on offer for our guests.

We will cover the tour expenses, you just need to come along for the ride and be OK with being photographed for our marketing material. I'll also mention; you would need to be over 40 with an adventurous spirit.

At this point our destinations are Glenorchy and Doubtful Sound. Maybe Wānaka and Makarora also. The tour start meeting point will probably be Queenstown.

We are hoping for this to take place in the first week of August.

If this sounds like a bit of you, flick us a message or email [email protected] for more info on the itinerary.
If you cant do that week but are still interested in future opportunities like this let us know anyway.

Exciting times!

17/06/2023

Thanks Andrew Miller Design for our fantastic branding and website design. A wonderful respresentation of what we are all about here at Tiaki Tours

14/06/2023

Stunner of an early winter's day here in Wānaka. Our home town stays gorgeous through the seasons. It's not unheard of to get off the ski slopes then jump in the lake for a freshen up!!