Signature New Zealand with Airfare

Depart North America on award winning Air New Zealand

Today is lost as you cross the International Dateline enroute to New Zealand. This day is regained on your return journey

On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of the city.

Accommodation: Grand by Sky City Hotel

Experience the best sights of Auckland City in the morning combined with an afternoon Wilderness Experience -- a day of contrasts. Auckland is set on 52 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it's New Zealand's largest and busiest city. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play.

A 30 minute drive from downtown Auckland brings you to the Arataki Centre, the gateway to the rain forest, where the sweeping decks give breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the local history and admire the traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Head further west and experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer.

With your knowledgeable and experienced guide, your eco-tour continues on to the lush rain forest where you hear native birdsong as you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand's famous kauri trees and giant tree ferns.

Board your plane in Auckland and enjoy the spectacular scenery and premium views of local landmarks on your extended scenic flight to Waiheke. Indulge in a fabulous 3-course meal and wine tasting at one of Waiheke's premium vineyards overlooking the vineyards and views of Auckland. Finish the day off with your transfer to the ferry terminal or explore the island on your own and return to Auckland at your leisure on a later ferry.

Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. You travel through the heritage town of Cambridge where tree-lined streets add to the English-style atmosphere. From here your journey takes you through undulating green hills reminding you that you are approaching Hobbiton Shire.

On arrival at Shire's Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest "green set" in the world and the only place where you get an emotional response to a movie set in a natural setting. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo's house, "Bag End", looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. After the tour at Hobbiton board the shuttle at Shire's Rest Cafe for your journey to Rotorua.

This tour visits Rotorua's most natural and popular geothermal parks: Wai O Tapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Mt and boiling mudfields. Our local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. You will see volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool, and hot springs on a scenic drive around volcanic landscapes of farmland, native and exotic forests. The two heritage parks offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the amazingly colourful hot springs and moonlike landscapes are the key features along with the famous Lady Know geyser. At Waimangu Volcanic valley the guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption, native flora and fauna and the geothermal features which were blown open in 1886. Tour costs include entry to both thermal parks. In the afternoon visit Rotorua’s most popular attractions Te Puia and views of the our beautiful lakes including Tarawera, Okareka and the Blue/Green lake. Spend an afternoon gaining an appreciation of New Zealand’s Maori culture and nature. Learn about Maori customs, traditions, history and protocols, with a guided visit to Te Puia, Rotorua's premier cultural centre. Includes visit to the wood carving school, arts and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving, boiling mud pools and NZ’s largest geyser Pohutu. Includes entry to Te Puia. Upon conclusion of your tour you will be transferred back to your accommodation

Aix is a hydrotherapy spa treatment, introduced to Rotorua in 1903. The Retreat at Polynesian Spa has specialised Aix therapy rooms with vichy showers and Italian vichy beds.  Starting with a dry full body polish exfoliation, your skin will feel smooth and revived before multiple jets of warm water stream across your body for a full body coconut oil relaxation massage.

This evening, you will engage in an immersive experience blending the best in Maori culture and cuisine. Tonight, participate in a heart-warming ritual and the mystical ceremony of the umu kohukohu while feasting on delicious and nourishing seasonal kai (cuisine). Crackling bonfires in the native tawa forest and cozy whare (houses) are the intimate backdrop to Tu Te Ihi.

Upon arrival at the village, a torch-lined path leads you to a candle-lit wharekai for a sumptuous four-course hakari (feast). Feel amazed as the mementos of Aotearoa history and eras, as well as the warm whanau (family) vibe intensify the spirit of hakari. Your winter forest kai morsels have been designed by award-winning Maori chefs, and they may include local delicacies like spit-roasted tuna (native eel), mugs of steaming hot pork and watercress boil up, creamed paua on rewena crostini, foraged greens, chunks of smoked kahawai with lashings of basil sauce and corn husk wrapped kumara kept warm in ashes.

This morning, transfer to Rotorua Airport for your flight to Wellington.

On arrival at Wellington Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of the city.

A 60-minute tour covering selected highlights and areas of Te Papa for groups on a busy itinerary. It is tailored to suit the nationality and interests of the group. Te Papa is New Zealand's national museum, offering visitors a unique and authentic experience of this country's treasures and stories. Over five floors, you can explore the nation's nature, art, history, and heritage - from the shaping of its land to the spirit of its diverse peoples, from its unique wildlife to its distinctive art and visual culture.

This afternoon venture out into the sanctuary to discovery the riches of our native flora and fauna at its very best. With your personal guide learn about the history, sights and sounds of the forest and its secrets. See bird species that have been successfully reintroduced into the mainland.

Wellington is home to an entire community of creative Weta Workshop artisans who've brought life to such films as, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar, and many others. Our guided experiences showcase the making of movie effects and props, from armour to weapons, creatures to costumes, make-up to miniatures.

Explore props, costumes, and cool stuff. Learn about the real props, costumes, and creatures created for your favourite films. Interact with cool stuff from our creative departments and catch an artist at work on our tour stage.

Enter our world of miniatures and modelmaking. Discover the filmmaking technique of miniature effects and learn how they are built for hit TV and film productions.

This morning, transfer to Wellington Airport for your flight to Queenstown.

On arrival at Queenstown Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax before beginning your exploration of New Zealand's Adventure Capital.

Following a transfer to the Queenstown airport, board an aircraft for the flight to Milford Sound. During the 35 minute scenic flight, take in expansive views of golden tussocked high country and the upper reaches of Lake Wakatipu and fly over the snow-capped Southern Alps. A hidden landscape unfolds below revealing glacial lakes, waterfalls, densely forested valleys and cloud-piercing summits.

On reaching Milford Sound join an extended and leisurely cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. Nature cruises have a relaxed and flexible itinerary designed to allow guests to see and experience what makes Milford Sound world renowned. Spend up to two and a half hours nudging into waterfalls, spotting wildlife and listening to the informative commentary from a specialist Nature Guide who mingles with guests. Keep a look out for wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. A picnic lunch is included and complimentary tea and coffee is available.

Following the cruise, guests are transferred to the Milford airport for the scenic flight back to Queenstown. Return taxi transfers are provided to accommodation on arrival at Queenstown airport.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activites available or simply relax.

This morning transfer to the Queenstown Airport for your onward flight. Time permitting, extend your stay and see more of magnificent New Zealand.