Top North Island Historical Tours

Northland is famed for its tall kauri trees with their dense wood and knots of gum. Learn more about the natural history of kauri, their social and economic role in post-European New Zealand and the threats to their existence with this tour of a dedicated museum. This hands-on, small group tour allows you to interact with our collection and uncover the past, including handling ancient lignites and swamp kauri that are tens of thousands of years old.

Looking for a genuine connection with a local Maori family? We welcome you to step off the tourist trail and come join us for a personal and meaningful life-time experience. Embrace the warmth of true Maori culture through our family. You will immediately feel welcomed and at ease with your hosts as you experience our culture, land, nature, amazing stories and food on this unforgettable experience. Sure to create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Manea Footprints of Kupe is a 75-minute multisensory journey of guided storytelling – through art, taonga (cultural treasures), film, performance, digital interaction and the splendour of Hokianga’s natural surroundings. Manea: Footprints of Kupe offers you a unique cultural encounter, journeying into te ao Māori, the Māori world. Our cultural and heritage centre on the shores of the spectacular Hokianga Harbour is your first stop on this journey. Here, you will feel the warmth of our welcome as we share our stories and traditions.

This full day, catered tour takes you to one of the quiet, hidden gems of Tai Tokerau (Northland). Definitely special and well off the beaten track and general tourist route! Leave the hustle and bustle that is summertime in the Bay of Islands behind and embark on an authentic New Zealand adventure. Your guide for the day has spent 15 years lecturing NZ’s ecology, natural and social history as well as guiding and sharing some of the rare encounters only to be found in the Far North’s treasure trove of experiences. With a bit of “something for everyone” this trip combines; A truly scenic drive along the North East coast layered with stories and history An easy going coastal walk (approximately 45 mins each way) An interesting archaeological talk with the opportunity to view and taste wild indigenous foods Time to relax on the beach, swim and experience some of New Zealand’s rare and endemic wildlife A delicious picnic lunch using the best locally available produce

Our entry level bespoke tour, your chauffeur will show you the beauty of Napier's Art Deco buildings and then you have the option of visiting a local winery, sampling some local chocolate or take the chance to see the Hooters Showroom, a must-see for all vintage car lovers. You can let us know your preference in advance otherwise your chauffeur will discuss the options to see what you fancy on the day. Please note that this tour does not include wine tasting fees which will need to be paid directly to the winery on the day. On busy cruise ship days as many as half of the Hooters vintage vehicles will be out on tour so there will be a few empty spaces in the showroom, but still plenty of automobilia to see and stories to hear.

During this tour you will experience an encounter with mighty prehistoric giants that only a couple of centuries ago dominated the vast forests of the North Island of New Zealand. You will see amazing Kauri – our bewitching giants... ... and tiny and defenseless glow warms which bring to the darkness of the underground caves a mysterious bluish glow of an endless starry sky…

Discover many of New Zealand’s top attractions in one day on this 6-hour private shore excursion to Rotorua from Tauranga Port. Sample kiwifruit and local wines at the Kiwi 360 Center, and admire the sandy beaches of Mt Maunganui with your guide. Travel past dense forests, shimmering lakes and rolling farmland to Okere Falls. Immerse yourself in Maori culture in Rotorua, and marvel at mighty geothermal activity at Whakarewarewa or Te Puia. See famous sites such as the Government Gardens, Blue Baths and Rotorua Museum before returning to your ship.

Get an authentic introduction to Maori culture with an evening at the Mitai Maori Village of Rotorua. See warriors in traditional dress paddle in an ancient canoe, and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. You'll watch 'haka' and poi dances and view glowworms in their natural habitat. This 3-hour experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional 'hangi' feast with your admission ticket.

Our most popular tour. This scenic tour will take you out of Napier following the coastline before heading inland to follow the beautiful Tukituki River with stunning views across the valley and the Havelock North hills to Te Mata Peak. You will then cross the river, heading past Craggy Range winery and into Havelock North before starting the exhilarating climb, almost 400m, to the top of the Peak with spectacular, 360-degree panoramic views of Hawkes Bay and on a clear day as far as the volcanic Ruapehu! Climbing a mountain on a V8 trike can be an experience to remember, great for celebrating birthdays or that special occasion. Please note that this tour is not available to cruise passengers.

Experience the warmth of our Legacy Guided Tours through New Zealand’s iconic Maori village. Our village guides are direct descendants of the early Māori guides who’s legacy shaped tourism in New Zealand for generations. Their insights, knowledge and legendary hospitality (manaakitanga) adds depth and richness to the experience you’ll have at Whakarewarewa.

Across the water from bustling Auckland lies the tranquil village of Devonport, topped by the volcanic cone of Mt. Victoria. It’s the perfect place to learn to master a Segway, and glide on two wheels to the peak of the hill. With a maximum of six people per guide, explore back streets, parks, and Victorian villas, then scale the summit, soak up 360-degree views, and discover the mysterious “mushroom” patch.

Tour the world-famous Art Deco City with our friendly local driver/guides to tell you all about how Napier was destroyed by earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the Art Deco style. Also see Bluff Hill Lookout and Ahuriri. We use a modern comfortable Mercedes-Benz vehicle with extra large windows for a superior viewing experience.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s premier museum based in Wellington. This 1-hour guided tour provides an overview of the museum’s interactive exhibits, artifacts, fine art and natural history displays so that you can better explore the collection on your own. You’ll get a deeper look at Maori cultural heritage and colonial history with an expert guide who share insights and offers suggestions for galleries that might suit your interests.

Beat the crowds and explore this award-winning exhibitions before opening. Explore Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War with the peace and stillness this subject matter deserves by entering the exhibit half an hour before the public. Te Papa has joined forces with Weta Workshop to create an exhibition like no other. After a short introduction from a Te Papa Host, you will wander freely at your own pace through this gallery. Garnering international acclaim and various awards, this space is best experienced before the museum's doors are opened for general admission. * See eight extraordinary New Zealanders captured frozen in time on a monumental scale - 2.4 times human size * Learn about the battles that took place in this culturally-defining event * Discover more about the ANZAC story through 3D maps and projections, miniatures, models, dioramas, and a range of interactive experiences.

Get a 60-minute introduction to the highlights of Te Papa’s ‘taonga,’ meaning a ‘cultural treasures’ in the Māori language. While admission to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is free, a small-group tour with a museum guide offers more insight on the enrich your understanding of this unique culture.

The Bay of Islands is a place to indulge and have fun. Visit the area's leading wineries, taste quality wines, excellent craft beers and enjoy a platter lunch. No trip to the Bay of Islands is complete if you do not visit the Makana Chocolate Factory and sample their award winning products. Visit the Phat Brewery, home to an outstanding range of Craft Beers.

Mullarkey tours – Cape Reinga Full day trip – offers a comfortable small group tour – maximum 11 passengers, with knowledgeable, humorous tour leaders – that will make sure you get to see and hear about all the best bits of the Far North and won’t forget the best photo opportunities!

Discover the top attractions of Wellington on this all-day guided tour. The itinerary includes a drive up to the top of Mount Victoria for the views, a visit to Weta Studios on the Miramar Peninsula to see where "Lord of the Rings" was filmed (if option selected), a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, plus stops at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Old St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Enter the world of Weta Workshop with There and Back Again: The Full Experience, a guided round trip by Weta Workshop! You’ll enjoy return transfers from Wellington i-SITE to Weta Weta Workshop, where you’ll explore our Weta Cave Workshop Tour and our Miniature Effects Tour: Thunderbirds Are Go. Your driver will highlight iconic film sites during your journey and you’ll get priority seating to our exclusive documentary. A Weta Workshop crew member will then show you incredible props and costumes from films like The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia, followed by a journey through the amazing miniatures of Thunderbirds Are Go!

Rotorua lies at the heart of New Zealand’s Maori culture, and it’s also renowned for its thermal activity. Packing it all in during a day trip from Auckland can be cumbersome to plan, but with a private tour you’ll have the exclusive attention of your guide. Experience the geothermal wonders of Te Puia, including a steam box lunch, plus city sightseeing and surrounding lakes.

In this exclusive luxury tour you will visit the heartland of Maori culture, Rotorua sits at the centre of one of the Pacific's most active thermal regions, and is surrounded by some magnificent examples of boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, steaming fumuroles, and giant water filled craters. Departing Rotorua after your Te Puia experience for Waitomo, stopping briefly for a short walk to a swing bridge over the Waikato river & view the hydro electric power station at Arapuni. Then on to your 45m guided Glow Worm Cave tour. Witness the constellations of tiny shining glow worms, it’s magnificent cathedral and intriguing stalagmites and stalactites, emerging from this limestone grotto by boat, after which we head back to Auckland

Discover Auckland in a fun way on a 1- or 2-hour private tour by tuk-tuk. You'll see the sights of the city as you travel aboard an eco-friendly electric tuk-tuk, checking out open spaces such as the Auckland Domain, Judges Bay, and the Parnell Rose Gardens. On the classic 2-hour tour you can get out of the tuk-tuk to walk around a bit; on the 1-hour sprint tour, you'll stay in the tuk-tuk.

Get off the state highways and away from the tourist traps on this back-country tour of the Bay of Islands. Take a private jeep down gravel roads and through rolling countryside with a guide to point out rural highlights and landmarks. Learn about the history of the New Zealand Wars as you drive to the historic site of Ruapekapeka Pa; visit the quirky community of Kawakawa, home to the colorful Hundertwasser public toilets; and explore the Taikirau wetland and the ancient kauri forests in Opua Forest.

A 3-day all inclusive private tour into the real far north of New Zealand. Only you, your partner and your guide will be travelling in the comfort of a Toyota 4x4 SUV, solo travellers also welcome. Visit over three epic days a Kiwi-bird raising sanctuary, waterfalls, ancient kauri forests, glow worm caves and historic harbours and missionary stations. Travel over unsealed back country roads as well as the more remote highways of the North Island. Stay in boutique accommodation in the remote Hokianga. With your choice of afternoon activity on the third day in the Bay of Islands you get to experience the best of Northland.