The ultimate New Zealand adventure & snow tours
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Haka Tours - NZ Adventure Specialists

Haka Tours represents the ultimate in New Zealand adventure! Specialists in all things kiwi, we offer fully guided, small group tours designed for independent travellers coming from all over the globe.

Check out this video made by Ellen on one of our early tours, when our Epic NZ tour used to be 26 days and our tour van was purple! A lot has happened since then...

Immersing travellers in the real New Zealand

Why travel with us?

Why should you let us show you around New Zealand? Other than being independently ranked as the #1 tour operator in New Zealand, here are some reasons why we will ensure the ultimate New Zealand experience!

Take Home More Than Just a Polaroid

Haka Tours is all about spontaneous exploration, immersing you in kiwi life and culture, and giving you something more than just a handful of happy memories. We promise you will leave having experienced our country first hand, pushed yourself to limits you never thought you could reach, made a great group of friends from all around the world, and played a role in a thousand stories to amaze the folks with back home.

We Won't Stick a Number on Your Head

The Haka Tours experience is personal from start to finish. Our office crew are more than happy to help with your countless questions before you book! After you book we will keep in touch with you regularly until you start your tour. We also make a special effort to meet tour groups when they are in our home town of Christchurch.

Demand More Than Just a Bus Pass!

No nightmares of being stuck taken from A to B with a bus full of screaming 18 year olds looking for the next bar! Our Tour Managers will give you a unique guided tour of everywhere we visit and will make fun and interesting stops along the journey, including many places the big buses can't even get to. Overall, a much greater New Zealand experience.

Small Groups of Awesome People

Think more "road trip with your mates" than "tiring coach ride with 50 strangers". Our NZ tours are made up of like-minded travellers from all corners of the world. Having an average size of 8-12 (max 16) allows us to make your tour personal, flexible and unforgettable. Over 70% of our tour members are solo travellers and it's a great way of making new friends.

Passionate Kiwi Guides

It takes a very special person to be a Haka Tour Manager (and don't they know it!). Our crew is made up of experienced, dedicated and fun-loving explorers who live to show people around their home turf! Your guide will not only be your own walking encyclopaedia of kiwi knowledge, but will also become a good friend to you along the road.

Freedom to customise your NZ experience

We are the only tour company that offers you the chance to pre-book adventure activities. Select from bungy, skydiving, rafting, dolphin swimming, surfing, skiing, hot air balloon rides... you name it, we got it! To make the choice easier, we have created 'Extreme Activity Packs' for each NZ adventure tour. However, nothing is compulsory and if you would rather sit back and enjoy the tour without jumping off great heights, your guide will always have plenty of alternatives!

NZ Owned + Operated

No multi-national corporation selling you a watered-down imitation about a country they barely know. We are New Zealand experts - we do not operate tours anywhere else in the world and have no plans to! Why would we when we've already found paradise?

Unique Accommodation

You may be lucky to stay at some of our favourite accommodation places whilst on tour! These include Aquapackers - an ex navy marine boat in Abel Tasman, Te Nikau Retreat - cosy cottages set in the lush west coast rainforest, Dusky Lodge - complete with swimming pool and hot tub, and our very own Haka Lodge - our Christchurch HQ! See "How Our Tours Work" tab for info on accommodation.

Ridiculously Good Value for Money

You would be hard pushed to get close to doing this type of New Zealand tour any cheaper. We don't rent any expensive retail space and we don't pay marketing experts thousands of dollars to define us - we already know who we are. Because we don't waste your money on these things, we can afford to put a much higher percentage towards your NZ adventure tour. Of course we all have to make a living, but we're not in it for the big bucks: happy customers = happy us.

The Haka Tours Story

Established in 2006, Haka Tours is the brain child of kiwi Ryan Sanders, who once found himself wishing to escape the dull working life of corporate banking. A keen and experienced traveller, Ryan's love for his country and adrenalin led him to a vision: the creation of some incredibly awesome adventure tours immersing travellers in the real New Zealand!

Following his quest, Ryan was introduced to Taranaki boy Steve Latham, a scuba dive instructor who had been travelling around New Zealand all his life. With his combined love of nature and people, and perhaps his slightly off-the-wall attitude, Steve was the perfect man for the job of Haka Head Tour Guide.

And so Haka Tours was born. Together Ryan and Steve designed and developed a set of New Zealand tours that would blow any adventure seeker's mind! The first tour commenced in June 2007 and Haka has barely had time to look back since.

In 2008 the company expanded - incorporating more tour departures and with it the addition of more staff. Snow Tours began running June - September, along with a new recruit Hygi. Ellen joined the crew all the way from the UK, and Si started work as Adventure Tour Managers soon after. Haka also welcomed Verve in April 2009.

In 2010 Haka was chuffed to receive a Tourism Industry award recognising innovation - with hope for many more in the future!

The following year not only brought new crew (Mikey and Robyn) but also the opening of Haka Lodge, the new office HQ and accommodation for tour members to stay at whilst in Christchurch, managed by the legendary Sarah Louise.

In the relatively short time it has been running, Haka Tours is proud to have shown hundreds of travellers around this beautiful country. As a crew we've taken great delight to broaden people's boundaries, open many pairs of eyes, push a fair few folks out of a plane, and send all of our groups home with an experience not just to remember, but to value as one of the best trips of their life.

So break the mould and shun the mainstream. Find the ultimate NZ adventure with Haka Tours.

Tour managers

Haka has a team of dedicated adventurers ready to give you the trip of a lifetime - here are a few members of our family!

Steve Latham - Head Tour Manager

Nickname:

Stevo

Tour:

7 Day Snow Safari

Specialty area:

Scuba diving, surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking

With 10 years of experience in the adventure tourism industry, Stevo is also a master dive instructor with a great passion for New Zealand, people and the outdoors! He left home at 17 and has been travelling around the country ever since.

In the winter Steve runs our Snow Safari tours, but in summer he can be found taking diving trips in the Far North. It's 2 jobs envied by many!

Best activity on tour

Heli-mountain biking, Queenstown

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"The great thing about Haka is that you can leave your troubles at home, pack your 'try anything once' attitude and get amongst it!"

Si Leonard - Tour Manager

Nickname:

Si

Tour:

16 day Amplified NZ tour, Private Groups

Specialty area:

Surfing, mountain biking, photography

Si runs our 16 day AMPLIFIED NZ tour and joined the crew after many years of working extensively in the surf, snow and skate retail industry. He even makes his own surf boards - primo!

Si can often be found with his camera attached to him, an interest he is keen to follow in the future. He also used to be a professional chef so it could be worth persuading him to cook dinner on one or two occasions!

Best activity on tour

White Water Rafting, Rotorua

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"Get ready for the BEST time, doing the BEST things, in the BEST country on earth... and be nice to your Tour Manager!"

Verviers Whatu - Tour Manager

Nickname:

Verve

Tour:

24 day Epic NZ tour

Specialty area:

Scuba diving, surf, jumping off stuff

Verve's adrenalin addiction is truly at home with Haka Tours! He lived and breathed skateboarding as a kid in Hamilton and naturally progressed onto surfing, snowboarding and extreme hackey sack! He's also a dive instructor and once had a job catapulting tourists into the air on the Bungy Rocket in Queenstown.

Whilst on tour Verve is known for his cooking skills - he loves getting the group together for a good feed!

Best activity on tour

Nevis Bungy and Arc, Queenstown

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"Comfort zones need to be tested on a daily basis!"

Mike Hygemann - Tour Manager

Nickname:

Hygi

Tour:

Snow Tours, World Heli-Challenge

Specialty area:

Snowboarding and judging

Mike runs some of our Snow Tours and is in charge of managing our collaboration with the World Heli Challenge event that happens every year in the South Island. He's got extensive guiding experience, and has even acted as an international snowboard judge at a number of world cup competitions!

Hygi spends much of his year in Australia (someone has to!) but he can't resist returning to the NZ ski fields in winter... well they are far superior after all.

Best activity on tour

Mt Hutt Ski Field, Christchurch

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"If your snowboard or skis are old and worn, you can hire the latest equipment through us for very low cost!"

Michael Burton - Tour Manager

Nickname:

Mikey

Tour:

All adventure tours

Specialty area:

Surfing, sea kayaking, snowboarding... everything outside.

A passion for NZ and the outdoors has lead Mikey to a lifetime of exploring NZ's backyard (and also jumping the neighbours fence to have a browse!). Mikey loves traveling and learning about the environments in which he is exploring.

After training in the Outdoor Education and Adventure Recreation and Ski instruction: (Kaikoura Kayaks Sea Kayak Guide, Wanaka 'ski bum', taxi driver, bartender, ski shop technician, Rip Curl office)... he needed the outdoor lifestyle again, so adventure tour guide it is!!

Best activity on tour

Sea Kayaking (especially Kaikoura, Milford, Coromandel), Gravity Canyon Swing, Zorb

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"Get ready to be blown away! I love NZ and also showing people my backyard. This is the ultimate New Zealand road trip made to challenge you and your expectations. It is so satisfying to look back on the day and what you have accomplished. Come on tour with a spontaneous attitude, ready for anything. When the time arrives just do it!"

Ryan Sanders - Director

Nickname:

Sandman

Tour:

Haka Office

Specialty area:

Being the big boss man.

After several years of professional rugby and travelling the world, Ryan worked for a global bank in the UK. Alas, corporate life became too boring... enter Haka Tours!

When he's not at Haka Lodge Ryan spends a large amount of time rowing surf boats, competing in National competitions all over NZ as well as travelling to far flung destinations!

Best activity on tour

Lost World Caving, Waitomo

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"Sit back, relax and let yourself be taken on the ride of your life with some super passionate guides - your experience will be second to none!"

Ellen Pickett - Marketing Co-ordinator

Nickname:

El

Tour:

Haka Office

Specialty area:

Digital marketing and being a computer nerd!

Working on Haka's digital presence is El, who joined the company all the way from the UK during its very early days of existence!

Ellen actually studied music at university but now loves geeky stuff like SEO, social media and website coding. She also wrote the very words you are reading right now...

Best activity on tour

Skydiving... anywhere!

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"Ban the word 'no' from your vocabulary and do everything possible! Ask your tour manager every question you can think of because that's what he's there for."

Robyn Braid - Tour Co-ordinator

Nickname:

Robs

Tour:

Haka Office

Specialty area:

Tour organisation, customer service and private groups!

With 10 years' experience in the industry, specialising in inbound tourism, Robyn can help anyone plan an awesome trip - whether it's on one of our Adventure tours, a self drive holiday, or a private group tour.

After majoring in Japanese in at university Robyn spent a couple of years in one of the best places on the planet - Milford Sound - and then another 2 years in Queenstown. Soon it was time for the big OE in London, working for a large tourism company, then back to home sweet home in Christchurch.

Best activity on tour

Dolphin Swimming, Kaikoura

Advice for anyone coming on tour

"Come with an open mind - get ready for heaps of fun, crazy adventure, breathtaking scenery and meeting other tour members who will be mates for years to come. There's a reason why we love showing off our awesome country - you'll see!"

There is no typical Haka Tour member!

We welcome all travellers from all four corners of the world. Our tours are aimed at the 18-40 market - but we do believe that attitude is more important than age, so if you are over 40 and still want a huge helping of adventure, then we welcome you with open arms.

Our male to female ratio is very even, and about 70% are solo travellers. It doesn't take very long to become a tight knit team!

Whilst these are "adventure" tours, we don't require a high level of fitness. There is nothing compulsory on our trips other than getting on the tour bus! Whilst some people want the adrenalin hit, others prefer to soak up the sun, enjoy the beautiful scenery or immerse themselves in our culture! Our Snow Tours are a whole different ball game, of course!

As with any tour operator, we aren't suitable for everyone. If you expect a military-style organised trip, you are probably best looking elsewhere. Our attitude is to run a relaxed road trip which doesn't adhere to an hour-by-hour plan. Where's the spontaneity in that?

All our guides speak English... albeit with the occasional bit of kiwi slang thrown in for effect! However, their lingual skills don't stretch any further than their first language so our adventure trips do require a minimal use of English. We can arrange for a translator on private group tours.

We stay at adventure lodges, backpacker hostels and motels, all hand-picked by us for their high level of quality. All have full kitchen, lounge, bathroom and internet facilities and have bedding provided. This means that although there is never a need to "rough it", if you are used to 5 star hotels we may not be for you!

We offer Private New Zealand Tours for people looking for luxury holidays, corporate travel, families, and school trips.

All adventure tours include

Breakfast

Organised by your guide every morning. Usually continental, requests welcome and all dietary requirements catered for.

Expert Kiwi tour manager

All our crew are experienced, passionate and very knowledgeable about New Zealand. They will become a good friend to you during the course of the trip. See "Our Crew" tab for more info.

Accommodation

Dorm share (max 6 per room) with the option to upgrade to a private room with ensuite bathroom. See more info under "Our Accommodation" below.

All Transport

Usually via tour bus, but also occasionally via Inter-islander ferry and train! Our tour vehicles include two Toyota Coasters and a Ford Transit, all of which have air-conditioning, stereo system and trailer for luggage space.

Guided tour of every place we visit

We don't just get you from A to B - your guide will show you around everywhere on the itinerary, and lots more in between! You are also welcome to go off by yourself to explore.

A selection of included activities

Each tour has different paid inclusions; including a Maori cultural night, bone carving, entrance fees to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve, and so on. Everything we include is there because we think it will enhance your New Zealand experience. Check out 'Tour Highlights' on each specific tour page for more information.

How our tours work

We have designed our tours to be suitable for all types of travellers, from the budget-conscious to the free-spender. The basic tour gives you everything you need for an amazing NZ experience at incredible value - see above inclusions. However, you can customise this by adding on activities and extras:

Adventure tour + add-on activities + optional extras

Add-on activities

When booking a tour, you have the choice from a large range of discounted additional activities. All of these are entirely optional and fit in within the itinerary. Whilst they all come highly recommended, you will not be missing out if you don't choose many. We make sure that there are always plenty of free or low cost things to do whilst on tour.

Extreme Activity Packs

Having trouble deciding what activities to do? Our Extreme Activity Packs include a selection of our most popular activities, and are tailored specifically for each tour. They also include a cheeky extra discount, saving you even more money!

Flexible Extras

You can also add extra nights' accommodation to either side of your tour, upgrade your accommodation, and choose from several different tour extension options.

Our Accommodation

We realise that where you lay your head at night can be incredibly important to you, so we have scoured the land to find the best places available!

Where do we stay?

Our tours stay at high quality adventure lodges, backpacker hostels and motels all over New Zealand. Everywhere has been specially selected by our team and is constantly reviewed according to customer feedback! All venues have kitchen and TV lounge facilities, with computers and wifi / internet.

Sharing a Dorm

Your standard accommodation whilst on tour is quad or 6 share. This means you are generally sharing one room with 3-5 other people who are also on your tour. Some of the rooms will have an ensuite bathroom and others will have shared facilities. Most tour members love the dorms as it gives you an extra chance to bond with the other people in your group. (Except maybe the snorer.)

Upgrading to a Private Room

Should you wish to upgrade your accommodation to a private room, you can choose from either a double (one large bed) or twin (two single beds). Roughly 60-75% of these rooms have an ensuite bathroom. The upgrade price varies per tour. If sharing the room with someone else you only need to book the one upgrade and split the price between you both.

Extra Nights' Accommodation

Option of dorm, double/twin, or double/twin with ensuite bathroom. The major advantage of pre-booking your extra accommodation with us is that we will book you into the same place that the tour starts or ends - meaning no stress of having to move your stuff, and the chance to informally meet other tour members from your group.

Female-Only Dorm Rooms

We ask for tour groups to be put together in dorm accommodation, so you are sharing with people you are familiar with. You are able to request female-only dorms, but this may mean sharing with other girls outside of your tour group. We cannot guarantee availability for every location on tour, so if this is a big concern to you we'd suggest upgrading to a private room.

Haka Lodge - Christchurch

If your tour includes Christchurch there is a big chance you will be staying at our very own headquarters, Haka Lodge! This lodge was purposely bought and customised for our tour members to stay in, but is also home to our main office. Situated 5 minutes outside Christchurch's CBD and surrounded by native NZ trees and plants, this is our sanctuary away from the city!

FAQ's

Considering and Booking a Tour

What is the process of booking a tour?

All we need is a 5% deposit to make a tour booking and secure your seat. Once booked, you are able to log back in to your account and pay off your remaining balance, in as many instalments as you like. Your balance is due 1 month before your tour. If you book a tour within 1 month of its departure, we hence require full payment as the deposit.

What is the process of booking activities and other extras?

You are welcome to book additional activities and accommodation at the same time you pay your 5% deposit for the tour. You are also able to log back into your account and add things anytime up until 1 month before your tour.

Do you need a minimum number of people to run a tour?

We normally run on a minimum of 4 people per tour, so it is rare a tour is cancelled due to low numbers. In the unlikely circumstance that we had to cancel a tour, you will be offered a full refund OR a chance to change tour date.

How quickly do your tours book out?

Most people book between 1 and 6 months before a tour departs. This means it is hard to predict when a particular tour might book out - but we recommend placing your deposit as soon as you are able to so that your seat is secured. Adventure Tours are much busier during our peak summer season (December - February).

Do you offer flights?

No, but our office crew can give you advice on this so please don't hesitate to get in touch.

What is your refund policy?

Please check out our Terms and Conditions.

I'm having difficulties paying online

Please get in touch via our Contact Us page.

Activities and Extras

Can I book activities whilst on tour?

Yes - all of our activities (and more) are available to book whilst on the road. However, we cannot guarantee availability this way and prices won't include our online discount. Therefore we recommend pre-booking at least anything you definitely want to do.

Can I swap one of the activities in the Extreme Activity Pack for another?

We allow one swap within our Activity Packs. Any difference in price is calculated and charged/refunded as appropriate. To request a swap, please email your Tour Advisor upon booking. If you wish to swap more than one activity, we suggest you book everything as individual items.

What activities are seasonal?

Skiing and snowboarding are only available during our winter, which is May - September. The majority of adventure activities take bookings every day of the year (except Christmas Day). The exception to this is that of Learn to Surf - Christchurch and Heli-Mountain Biking - Queenstown, which are summer only.

How many activities do people normally book with their adventure tour?

It varies! Some people choose to do heaps, whereas others are content with just sitting back and enjoying the experience. Even if you choose not to participate in any activities, your tour guide will always have lots of free or low cost things for you to do and we guarantee you will never be bored!

Accommodation

Please also see the 'How our tours work' tab.

I've booked extra accommodation but I am arriving into New Zealand on a late flight. Can I check in to my accommodation ok?

Yes - most have a 24 hour reception or will leave a key out for you. Please let your Tour Advisor know so they can inform the hostel.

Should I upgrade?

The dorm share accommodation provided on tour (max 6 per room) is usually very popular with our tour members as it allows them an extra chance to bond as a group. However, we suggest it might be a good idea to upgrade if you value your privacy and/or you are a light sleeper who doesn't like to be disturbed, and if you feel this is worth extra cost.

Preparation

What should I bring with me?

Check out our Tour Preparation page.

Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?

If you are a citizen of a country that has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, you will not need to apply for a visa to visit the country for three months or less. At the moment there are over 50 countries that don't require visas to visit New Zealand. Check out the NZ immigration website for more details.

However, you do need a passport that is valid for 3-6 months after you intend to leave the country, proof that you plan to leave (i.e. a return ticket), and sufficient money to stay (around $1,000 NZD per month per person).

Do I need any vaccinations?

No vaccinations are required for visiting New Zealand.

Whilst On Tour

What do I need to budget for?

Other than any activities you are thinking of doing, you will need to take into consideration lunch and dinner. We appreciate food budgeting is quite a personal thing and varies between individuals but we suggest $20-50 NZD per day. There is also the occasional low cost sightseeing activity that you might wish to partake in. We have no local tour payments... although if you think your guide has done a good job we don't discourage tipping!

What happens for lunch and dinner?

You have the choice of eating out or cooking for yourself. Check out this video of a meal time on one of our tours. Every place we stay at has full kitchen facilities and your tour guide is more than happy to make stops at the supermarket if needed.