MoaTrek New Zealand Tours

20/10/2026

It's time to meet another familiar face from our Kiwi Guide team – Al!

Al loves Aotearoa’s beautiful places and spaces. He’s worked in conservation for over 20 years & brings that knowledge and passion to his tours.

Here’s some of the lovely feedback one of our travellers shared about Al after their adventures with him last season!

“We took the 21 day Moa trek tour in New Zealand . I have taken 18 small tours and this tour was the very best. I attribute that sentiment to our tour guide Al. We saw his country through his eyes and it was amazing ! His knowledge of N.Z. history, indigenous people, biology, environment etc. was unbelievable. I have never experienced a more attentive, knowledgeable and responsive guide, and I have had many great ones. The country is beautiful, full of friendly people and it felt incredibly safe. Our accommodation was all good. I would highly recommend MoaTrek tour, with Al as your guide ”

Donna - Kakapo 21 Day tour, February 2026

Have you been on tour with Al? We would love to know the highlight of your tour with him!

Check out our Kiwi Guide led, small group tours here: https://www.moatrek.com/

16/10/2026

Would you give this a go? 🌿

Ziplining with Rotorua Canopy Tours is a popular optional activity during the free morning on our Kakapo and Kaka tours!

Kiwi Guide Daniel and some of our travellers headed into the treetops for a different perspective of New Zealand's beautiful native forest.

But there's much more to this experience than flying through the trees!

As you make your way through the forest, the local guides share their knowledge of the native trees, birdlife and the conservation work taking place around you. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn about New Zealand's natural environment while seeing it from a completely different perspective.

With some free time in Rotorua, our travellers can choose how they'd like to spend their day, whether that's joining an adventure like this or exploring at their own pace.

12/10/2026

Today, we’re excited to introduce you to another one of our Kiwi Guides, Steve!

With a wealth of guiding experience, Steve has done it all, from kayaking the beautiful waters of Abel Tasman National Park and the spectacular fjords of Norway to hiking New Zealand’s backcountry and leading cycling adventures along our scenic trails.

And when he's not guiding? You'll find Steve mountain biking, enjoying music, keeping active or, believe it or not, heading off on another road trip and camping adventure!

“I just completed the 17-day tour of both islands. Everything exceeded expectations. The scenery was tremendous, the hotels were excellent, our Guide Steve was knowledgeable, friendly, organized, humorous and went out of his way to supplement the agenda with his local knowledge. He facilitated a comradery within the group, kept everyone on time, was safety oriented, and attended to individual needs if necessary.”

Arvid – Kaka 17 Day tour, December 2025

Have you been on tour with Steve? We’d love to hear about your experience!
https://www.moatrek.com/

11/10/2026

We’re thrilled to celebrate Matt and the team from Pure Cruise, winners of our Supplier of the Year award!

Our first Kaka tour of the season is currently on the road, and during their visit to Lake Rotoiti, Kiwi Guide Tim had the pleasure of presenting Matt with his award.

The team at Pure Cruise always go above and beyond to deliver an exceptional experience for both our team and our travellers. They are genuinely amazing to work with - professional, responsive, accommodating, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure everything runs smoothly.

A big congratulations to Matt and the Pure Cruise team!

09/10/2026

Look who came nice and close to us in Abel Tasman!

This pīwakawaka (fantail), one of New Zealand’s native birds, came incredibly close as we were walking in the Abel Tasman National Park, flitting around us and through the bush.

Fantails are small, quick and energetic birds, constantly darting and changing direction, which can make them surprisingly hard to keep your eye on, even when they’re right beside you.

You'll be sure to spot these little characters and plenty of other native birds while travelling through New Zealand on our small group tours.

https://www.moatrek.com/

07/10/2026

It’s time to meet another member of our Kiwi Guide team - Rob!

Guiding for more than 20 years, Rob has explored every corner of New Zealand. When he’s not on the road, hiking, surfing, or spending time with family.

We wanted to share some of the love Rob received last season:

“Rob, our guide has wonderful stories, he brought a certain magic to our journey together. As a multi generational Kiwi his insights into the local flora and fauna of his birth land are vast and informational. Rob is a well spoken and charming guy and kept us in good spirits making our trip unique and memorable. Rob was patient and creative always coming up with something interesting to do that suited the whole group. Mahalo Rob for all you did to make our so wonderful.”

Bob – Kiwi 12 Day tour, December 2025

We’re very lucky to have Rob as part of our Kiwi Guide team, and we know there’ll be plenty more memorable adventures with him this season!

https://www.moatrek.com/

05/10/2026

Did you know this about Lake Pukaki? 👇

That incredible turquoise colour is hard to miss, but there’s a lot more to Lake Pukaki than its good looks.

🩵 The colour comes from glaciers.
The lake gets its distinctive milky-turquoise colour from tiny particles of finely ground rock, known as glacial flour, suspended in the water. These particles scatter the sunlight and create that striking blue colour.

🩵 It has a direct connection to the Tasman Glacier.
Lake Pukaki is mainly fed by the braided Tasman River, which carries water down from the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The lake itself also sits in a valley carved out by huge glaciers during the last ice age.

🩵 It’s much bigger than it first appears.
Lake Pukaki stretches for around 15 kilometres and reaches a maximum depth of about 70 metres.

We stop at Lake Pukaki on all three of our small group tours, giving you time to take in the views and, of course, get a few photos of that incredible blue water.

https://www.moatrek.com/

29/09/2026

This week we’d love to introduce you to Kiwi Guide Chris! 👋

Living in the Waikato, Chris has whakapapa to Hawke’s Bay and Ngāti Porou. After starting his career in the Army and studying sports science, he worked in the fitness industry in the UK before returning to New Zealand in 2000. Chris began guiding in 2003, and since then he has spent more than 20 years showing travellers around New Zealand.

Chris brings a wealth of experience to every tour, along with a genuine passion for New Zealand’s culture, history, birdlife and environment. He always goes above and beyond for his travellers and loves sharing the knowledge, stories and local connections he’s built up over many years on the road.

Here's what recent travellers have said about their experience with Chris as their Kiwi Guide:

"My wife and I did the 21 day trip with Chris Tydings and 17 soon to be new friends.
Chris did a fantastic job of getting 17 strangers from multiple countries, diverse backgrounds and wildly varied life experiences to come together like a bunch of long lost friends and family.
He seamlessly managed to integrate his Māori heritage and love of the culture and history along with insightful explanations of today's modern integrations of the various people that inhabit and steward the country.
It was with great humility that we experienced so many truly unique locations, cultural events and wonderfully friendly people."

Dave & Diane - Kakapo 21 day tour, February 2026

Have you travelled with Chris? We'd love to know your favourite memory!

https://www.moatrek.com/

27/09/2026

Meet New Zealand’s newly crowned Bird of the Year! 🐦

The karure, or black robin, has taken out the title for 2026 – and there’s quite a story behind this little bird.

Found only in the Chatham Islands, the karure came incredibly close to extinction. By 1980, just five birds remained, including only one fertile female. Thanks to decades of dedicated conservation work, there are now around 350 adult birds.

While you won’t spot a karure on a MoaTrek tour, its story is a wonderful example of the work happening across New Zealand to protect our unique native birdlife.

It’s something our travellers get to learn more about along the way too. On our Kakapo tour, we visit the Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre, where we hear about the work involved in caring for and rehabilitating some of New Zealand’s native birds.

Read the full story here 👇

Small, shy and clad head-to-claw in black, New Zealand’s karure, or black robin, has been crowned the country’s 2026 Bird of the Year.

25/09/2026

It won’t be long until moments like this are happening all over again - and they’re a pretty good reminder of why we love what we do.

We know how much our travellers look forward to their New Zealand holiday, often planning it many months in advance. And now, for those joining us this season, it’s almost time to experience it for themselves.

This moment was captured on the road to Milford Sound, where views like this tend to get some pretty great reactions!

And the drive there is only part of the experience. On all three of our small group tours, we journey into Milford Sound, cruise beneath its towering peaks and waterfalls, then take to the air for a scenic flight back to Queenstown.

It’s a pretty special day from start to finish – and we can’t wait to share it with another season of travellers. To everyone joining us over the coming months, we can’t wait to show you around. 🩵

If a New Zealand holiday is still on your wish list, you can explore our small group tours here 👉https://www.moatrek.com