MoaTrek New Zealand Tours

06/08/2026

We're delighted to share some lovely news 🩵

MoaTrek New Zealand, home of MoaTours and MoaTrek, has been named a finalist in the 2026 2degrees Auckland Business Awards for Excellence in Customer Experience.

The Auckland Business Awards celebrate outstanding businesses across our home region of Auckland, New Zealand. This particular category recognises businesses that place excellent customer experience at the heart of what they do, so it feels especially meaningful for us.

At MoaTrek, looking after our travellers has always been about much more than getting from one place to another. It is about thoughtful planning, warm Kiwi hospitality, friendly small groups, wonderful Kiwi Guides, local hosts, interesting places and all the little details that help make a tour feel relaxed, personal and memorable.

This recognition belongs to our whole Moa team, including our office team, Kiwi Guides, suppliers, local hosts and everyone who helps bring our tours to life around New Zealand.

It also belongs to you, our travellers. Whether you joined us for a once-in-a-lifetime journey, recommended us to a friend, left a review or shared your feedback with us, your support means so much.

Thank you for being part of the MoaTrek community and for helping us continue sharing the very best of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

02/08/2026

One of the best things about New Zealand summer...

Moments like this. 🩵

As we cruised through the Bay of Islands, a pod of wild dolphins appeared alongside the boat.

We were lucky enough to encounter one of the resident pods that call the Bay of Islands home. Knowing these are familiar visitors to these waters makes an already incredible moment feel even more special.

It's experiences like these that make the Bay of Islands a favourite stop on our 21 day Kakapo tour.

Explore the full Kakapo itinerary: https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours/21-day-new-zealand-tour-kakapo

29/07/2026

The story behind this traditional Māori game is more fascinating than you might expect

Poi rākau is a traditional Māori stick game from Aotearoa New Zealand, designed to test rhythm, coordination, concentration and some very quick reactions. Historically, Poi rākau was used to train warriors, helping develop hand-eye coordination and focus for combat.

Today, it is enjoyed as a game that tests those same skills. As our group discovered, keeping hold of your rākau is not always as easy as it looks! 😄

This playful moment was part of our visit to Manea Footprints of Kupe in the Hokianga, where we were welcomed by a local guide and taken on a powerful multi-sensory journey into Te Ao Māori and the story of Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator.

Experiences like this are such a special part of travelling through New Zealand. Meeting local people, hearing stories connected to the land and gaining a deeper understanding of the places we visit.

We are very fortunate to include Manea Footprints of Kupe on our 21 Day Kakapo small group tour. 🩵🩵

26/07/2026

🌋 Here’s what we love about exploring Tongariro National Park…

It’s the incredible variety packed into one landscape. Within a short walk, you can experience sweeping alpine views, native tussock, volcanic terrain, dramatic mountains and the beauty of a hidden waterfall.

The Taranaki Falls Walk is one of our favourite ways to experience this unique part of New Zealand. The easy-to-follow trail winds through the volcanic landscape, with views towards Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro before arriving at the impressive 20-metre waterfall.

What makes Tongariro so special is the way nature, geology and history come together in one unforgettable landscape. Recognised as a dual World Heritage Area and New Zealand’s first national park, Tongariro is a place that showcases the incredible forces that have shaped Aotearoa, New Zealand over time.

23/07/2026

Meet the weka, a curious, confident native bird often seen wandering through the forests and coastal tracks of Abel Tasman National Park.

Unlike the elusive kiwi, weka are known for their bold personalities and inquisitive nature… sometimes getting a little closer than expected!

Exploring Abel Tasman National Park with your Kiwi Guide gives you the chance to discover not just the landscapes, but the unique wildlife and stories that make Aotearoa, New Zealand so special.

21/07/2026

Travelling Aotearoa, New Zealand is more than just ticking off the highlights. It's about experiencing the country in a way that feels personal.

That's why all of our small group tours have a maximum of just 18 travellers.

A smaller group means more time with your Kiwi Guide, the flexibility to explore off the beaten track, and the chance to get to know the people you're travelling with along the way.

Whether you're walking through ancient forests, sharing stories over lunch, or taking in the spectacular scenery along the way, a small group creates a more relaxed and connected way to explore New Zealand.

If you're dreaming of discovering New Zealand with like-minded travellers and Kiwi Guides who know the country inside and out, we'd love to show you around.

14/07/2026

New Zealand has officially joined the Michelin Guide ⭐

For the first time ever, Michelin has recognised New Zealand’s incredible food scene, awarding stars to restaurants across the country.

A highlight of our 21 day Kakapo tour departing 10 December 2026 is an included Christmas lunch at Sherwood in Queenstown, one of New Zealand's first Michelin-starred restaurants.

While New Zealand is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, our food experiences are just as memorable. From vineyard lunches and fresh seafood to local produce and shared meals with locals, food is an important part of discovering Aotearoa.

Discover our country's extraordinary landscapes, culture, and a special Christmas dining experience on our 21 Day Kakapo tour departing 10 December 2026.

https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours/21-day-new-zealand-tour-kakapo

One Auckland restaurant made Michelin history by receiving the first-ever star for Samoan food.

07/07/2026

Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest National Park, but don't let its size fool you.

Tucked away at the top of the South Island, it's one of New Zealand's most treasured coastal landscapes, where golden beaches, native forest and turquoise waters come together.

Carefully protected by the Department of Conservation, the park provides a haven for native wildlife. Along the coastline, you may spot New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, while ongoing conservation efforts help native birds such as tūī, kererū and bellbirds flourish throughout the native forest.

One of the highlights of visiting Abel Tasman is experiencing it from both land and sea. On our small group tours, our travellers cruise through its sheltered bays before stepping ashore to explore the walking tracks with a knowledgeable local guide, who shares the stories, history and unique ecology that make this special place so memorable.

30/06/2026

Rotorua | Geothermal Wonders, Māori Culture & Local Connection

Rotorua is one of those special places that captures the spirit of New Zealand, where geothermal wonders, Māori culture, beautiful landscapes and warm Kiwi hospitality come together.

It’s a highlight of both our 17 Day Kaka and 21 Day Kakapo small group tours, offering travellers the chance to experience some of the region’s most memorable moments.

From a private cruise across peaceful Lake Rotoiti to reach natural hot pools tucked away in a secluded bay, to exploring the colourful geothermal landscapes of Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua showcases the incredible forces that have shaped this unique part of New Zealand.

But some of the most meaningful travel experiences are often the ones that go beyond the well-known sights. During our time here, we enjoy a private lunch by Lake Tarawera with the Walmsley family, where we hear local Māori and Pākehā history in a truly personal setting.

There is also time to personalise your Rotorua experience with optional activities, whether that’s ziplining high among the native forest with Rotorua Canopy Tours, discovering Māori culture and geothermal wonders at Te Puia, or simply taking time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Rotorua is a place of breathtaking scenery, rich culture, genuine connection, and a memorable part of our New Zealand small group tours.

Learn more about Rotorua and the special experiences included across our New Zealand itineraries: https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours