MoaTrek New Zealand Tours

10/06/2026

Wonderful news for New Zealand’s precious Kākāpō in 2026! 🩵

This year has become one of the most successful Kākāpō breeding seasons ever recorded, with more than 100 chicks hatched, an incredible milestone for one of the world’s rarest and most endangered parrots.

Just a few decades ago, Kākāpō numbers had dropped to only 51 birds. Today, thanks to the dedication of conservation teams, Ngāi Tahu, volunteers and wildlife supporters, the population has grown to more than 230 adult birds, with this season’s chicks bringing even more hope for the future.

The breeding boom was helped by a strong rimu fruiting season, which naturally encourages Kākāpō to breed every few years. Rangers have been carefully monitoring nests, supporting chicks, and protecting these remarkable birds on predator-free islands around southern New Zealand.

Kākāpō are truly unique:
🌿 The world’s only flightless parrot
🌙 Nocturnal and incredibly long-lived
💚 Found only in Aotearoa, New Zealand
🦜 Famous for their curious personalities and distinctive “booming” calls

Read more about this record-breaking breeding season here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/590633/over-100-kakapo-chicks-hatch-in-record-breaking-breeding-season

The kākāpō is the namesake of our 21 day North & South Island Tour, reflecting our appreciation for one of New Zealand's most remarkable and resilient native species. https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours/21-day-new-zealand-tour-kakapo

Touted as the biggest ever kākāpō breeding season, 2026 seems to be delivering, with over 100 chicks hatched to date.

04/06/2026

What does summer look like in New Zealand? ☀️

Take a look through these photos from our Kiwi Guides for a glimpse of what makes a New Zealand summer so special.

While much of the world is bundled up for winter, New Zealand's summer brings long sunny days, blue skies and warm temperatures. It's a season for strolling golden beaches, swimming in crystal-clear waters, outdoor dining and spectacular scenery at every turn.

You'll also spot the iconic Pōhutukawa in bloom. Known as New Zealand's Christmas tree, its vibrant red flowers light up coastlines around the country and signal the arrival of summer.

What makes a Kiwi summer unique isn't just the sunshine. It's the lifestyle that comes with it. Days are often spent outdoors, whether that's exploring a national park, enjoying a walk along the coast, or sharing a meal as the sun lingers well into the evening.

From alpine landscapes and native forests to vineyards, beaches and crystal-clear bays, New Zealand offers remarkable variety and a summer lifestyle centred around nature, relaxation and the outdoors.

Want to experience a Kiwi summer for yourself? Learn more about exploring New Zealand with MoaTrek here: https://www.moatrek.com/

27/05/2026

There’s nothing better than hearing it from the people who’ve travelled with us 🩵

Here are some of our favourite Tripadvisor reviews from travellers who recently joined us. Real stories that remind us why we absolutely love what we do.

From Milford Sound and Aoraki/Mt Cook to Abel Tasman, Rotorua, Queenstown and the wild West Coast, our guests often tell us it’s not just the scenery they remember, it’s the small group of like-minded travellers, the Kiwi Guide, the local experiences, and how easy it all felt.

As we look forward to another New Zealand summer, these reviews are a wonderful reminder of the memories yet to come next season.

If you're thinking about experiencing an iconic Kiwi summer, our December departures are the perfect way to start the season. We'd love to welcome you to Aotearoa and share this special corner of the world with you.

✨ Explore our upcoming departure dates here: https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours/dates-availability

22/05/2026

December in New Zealand hits differently ☀️

Long summer evenings, bright coastal days, mountain views, forest walks and time spent exploring some of the country’s most unforgettable places.

For travellers who want to experience New Zealand without the stress of planning every detail, our small group tours make it easy. Your transport, accommodation, and itinerary are all taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the journey with your expert Kiwi Guide.

Choose the New Zealand journey that suits you best:

🩵 Kakapo - 21 Day North & South Island Tour
🩵 Kaka - 17 Day North & South Island Tour
🩵 Kiwi - 12 Day South Island Tour

December is a beautiful time to explore Aotearoa with a small group of like-minded travellers. If you’re considering a New Zealand journey this summer, you can find our December tour dates and availability here: https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours/dates-availability

14/05/2026

🏆Five-time Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner! 🏆

We’re thrilled to share that MoaTrek has received a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2026, making this our fifth time receiving this wonderful recognition.

The Travellers’ Choice Awards recognise businesses that consistently earn strong traveller reviews and ratings, placing winners among the top 10% of listings worldwide. This means the world to us, as this recognition comes directly from our travellers’ experiences.

Our 2026 award follows previous recognition in 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and we’re incredibly grateful to every traveller who helped make this possible.

A huge thank you to our valued travellers for sharing your kind words, stories, and memories, and to our incredible Kiwi Guides, wider team, and trusted suppliers who bring every MoaTrek tour to life!

Here’s to exploring more of New Zealand, sharing memorable moments, and making many more happy memories along the way.

Explore our small group New Zealand tours: www.moatrek.com

13/05/2026

And that’s a wrap on our 2025/26 season! 🎉

What an incredible season it has been, filled with amazing people, unforgettable experiences, plenty of laughs, and so many special memories made right across New Zealand.

A huge thank you to our fantastic Kiwi Guides who consistently went above and beyond to deliver outstanding tours and genuinely memorable experiences for our travellers. The passion, care, energy, and knowledge they bring to every trip are what make these journeys so special.

And of course, thank you to all of our wonderful travellers for choosing to explore New Zealand with us. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next season!

If you're interested in joining us on one of our small group tours next season, visit our website to learn more about our itineraries. We'd love to welcome you along! https://www.moatrek.com/

17/04/2026

🦜Discover New Zealand’s Incredible Wildlife with MoaTrek 🐑

One of the highlights of a MoaTrek small group tour is the chance to experience Aotearoa’s unique and unforgettable wildlife up close.

Guests may encounter some of our most iconic native birdlife, including the elusive Kiwi and the inquisitive Weka, a uniquely New Zealand native bird known for its bold, curious nature and tendency to approach people in search of food. And of course, no wildlife experience would be complete without the cheeky Kea, our alpine parrot, famous for its playful personality and habit of pecking at anything it can find!

While journeys through our rural landscapes reveal the quintessential Kiwi scene, rolling green hills dotted with grazing sheep, cow's and horses.

It’s all part of the authentic New Zealand experience that makes a MoaTrek tour so special.

Join us and see it for yourself, visit us online here: https://www.moatrek.com/

10/04/2026

Spend the day with our Kiwi Guide, Daniel, in the Bay of Islands 🌊

From cruising turquoise waters to walking Roberton Island and swimming and paddle boarding off Urupukapuka Island, this is one of those Northland days you won’t forget.

A little adventure, beautiful scenery, and time to simply enjoy being in New Zealand.

This unforgettable Bay of Islands experience is part of our 21-day Kakapo small group tour. If you’re thinking about travelling next season, you can explore our tours on our website: https://www.moatrek.com/

02/04/2026

12 Day Kiwi Tour - The ultimate South Island experience

If New Zealand’s South Island is on your bucket list, this 12 day journey is a wonderful way to experience it. Our Kiwi small group tour covers the very best of the South Island, from soaring alpine peaks to golden beaches, wild coastlines, and unforgettable local experiences.

Highlights include:
- Aoraki/Mt Cook – breathtaking alpine scenery and glacier views
- Dinner at The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mt Cook
- A privately hosted lunch at Akaunui
- Queenstown – three nights to relax and explore
- A Milford Sound cruise and scenic flight over Fiordland
- The rainforests and glaciers of the West Coast
- Hokitika and Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Abel Tasman National Park – cruise, picnic and guided walk
- Marlborough wine tasting and lunch
- A privately hosted farewell lunch at Midhurst Farm, Canterbury

With quality accommodation, a small group of no more than 18 travellers, expert guidance, and time to explore at your own pace, this tour offers a lovely balance of comfort, discovery, and relaxation.

Dates for next season are already filling up. If you’d like to discover the beauty of New Zealand’s South Island and experience for yourself why it’s so loved, visit our website to explore the itinerary or reserve your place. https://www.moatrek.com/new-zealand-tours/12-day-south-island-tour-kiwi

26/03/2026

There are moments on tour that stay with you forever, and this is one of them.

After cruising through the breathtaking fiords of Milford Sound, our journey doesn’t end there. Instead, we take to the skies with Air Milford for an unforgettable flight through the heart of Fiordland, returning to Queenstown at the end of a remarkable day exploring by land, sea and air.

This scenic flight is often described by our guests as a once in a lifetime experience, and for many, it’s one of the absolute highlights of their entire journey.

It’s peaceful, awe-inspiring, and entirely unique to Aotearoa, New Zealand, a moment that truly captures the magic of this country.

This unforgettable highlight is included on every MoaTrek small group tour, so you won’t miss your chance to experience it. To discover this and many other memorable inclusions, visit our website: https://www.moatrek.com/