Welcome to Auckland, known in Māori as Tāmaki Makaurau, often translated as “the land of a thousand lovers.” It’s easy to see why – this dynamic city of 1.7 million people effortlessly blends natural beauty, cultural depth, and world-class gastronomy, making it the perfect introduction to New Zealand’s North Island.

Upon arrival, enjoy a seamless private transfer from Auckland Airport to your accommodation at the Park Hyatt Auckland. Home for the next 3 nights.

This afternoon visit the All Blacks Experience – a guided journey which promises to connect you to Aotearoa through our unique Maori culture and the spirit of our iconic All Blacks and Black Ferns teams. Pass your mana (strength) to the team through Te Whatu the sacred All Blacks stone, hear from legends of the game, feel the energy in the changing room and walk down the tunnel before you confront the formidable All Blacks & Black Ferns haka, where you’ll experience the spine-tingling power of their performances.

From ancient volcanoes to wild west coast beaches, this full day takes you through the best of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. Drive along the stunning Tāmaki Drive, cross the iconic Harbour Bridge with views across to Rangitoto Island, and explore the elegant colonial suburb of Parnell before heading to the Auckland Museum – one of New Zealand’s most magnificent buildings. Journey to the Waitakere Ranges and step into Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa, the ancient indigenous forest, where your guide brings Māori plant lore, legends, and native birdlife to life beneath the canopy. 

After a short ferry journey across to Waiheke Island, you’ll be met by your guide. 

Beginning atop the Matiatia headland with sweeping views of the Hauraki Gulf, your guide brings Waiheke’s rich Māori history to life – from the arrival of the first waka to the impact of colonisation, the Treaty of Waitangi, and the remarkable Māori renaissance of the 1970s.

During a gentle guided walk through native bush, you’ll learn the traditional and medicinal uses of native plants and keep an eye out for tūī, kererū and pīwakawaka (native birds) along the way. Round out the day with a picnic or local cafe lunch, a taste of Waiheke’s award-winning wine or olive oil, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a bicultural nation.

This morning you’ll pick up a rental car, and enjoy a scenic drive to Rotorua.

Sitting atop one of the world’s most active geothermal zones, this extraordinary city bubbles, steams, and hisses with a raw energy that has to be seen to be believed. Shooting geysers, boiling mud pools, and natural hot springs sit alongside dense native forests and the glittering shores of Lake Rotorua – making it as beautiful as it is dramatic. But Rotorua is more than a geological wonder. It is the cultural heartland of the Māori people, where the traditions of the tangata whenua (the people of the land) have been kept alive for centuries.

Tonight you’ll enjoy the Te Pa Tu cultural experience sharing a four hour evening feast aligned to and changing with the maramataka (Maori lunar calendar). Feast on Maori song, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pa (village), towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Hakari (feasting) begins with forest horotai (canapes) and culminates in a lavish 3-course fusion feast. 

Jade Highlights Tour Step behind the scenes into the world of New Zealand’s most sacred stone. Watch master artists hand-carve pounamu (Jade) with quiet passion and precision, and hear the stories woven into every piece – the legends, the lineage, and the deep cultural significance that makes pounamu unlike any other material on earth. Get up close to live carving demonstrations, try your hand at traditional Māori carving techniques using sandstone, and spend unhurried time with the artists themselves. Then comes the best part – choose your own piece of pounamu, string it into a necklace, and take home a taonga that is entirely, uniquely yours.

Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa enjoy a Restorative Journey (Wai Whakaora) which delivers a unique therapeutic, relaxing and rejuvenating experience, with every element drawing on the centuries-old legacy of Ngati Whakaue practices and culture. You will experience the larger area of luxury which offers a 5 step sensory wellness journey consisting of cleansing shower jets, saunas, ice room, geothermal bathing, mud lounge and steam cave.

You will then head into The Sanctuary (Ahuru Mowai) for your 60 minute traditional Maori massage. At the heart of each treatment are natural actives, essential oils, botanical extracts, and herbal preparations that are founded on te ao Maori and the centuries-old healing practices of the Ngati Whakaue people.

A short drive from Rotorua is Tāupo. Located in the caldera of one of the world’s most powerful supervolcanoes, a reminder that this land is as wild as it is beautiful. The Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest, thunders out of the lake and plunges over the spectacular Huka Falls just minutes from town, while the snow-capped peaks of Tongariro National Park shimmer on the southern horizon. For the Māori people, this land is deeply sacred — the lake known as Taupōnuiatia, the great shoulder cloak of Tia, named for the explorer who first discovered it. 

Scenic Cruise to Māori Rock Carvings Glide across the glittering waters of Lake Taupō to one of the North Island’s most striking hidden treasures — the ancient Māori rock carvings, accessible only by water. As you cruise, settle in with a complimentary coffee or tea and a homemade muffin while your guide brings the volcanic and cultural history of the lake to life. A stop at Jerusalem Bay offers the chance to watch a traditional fishing demonstration on one of New Zealand’s most prized trout waters — and if the mood strikes, try your luck with a rod of your own

Today you’ll bid Haere Rā (farewell) to your Auckland adventure!