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New Zealand

DISCOVER

New Zealand’s award-winning wines served by winemakers and vintners at the country’s best wineries

EXPLORE

Some of the world’s most astonishing scenery—by bike, helicopter, gondola and foot

CONNECT

With Maori culture, local winemakers and artists, award-winning chefs

Why New Zealand

Rugged snow-capped peaks, sun-filled skies, iconic Maori culture, winery-dotted islands, and innovative cuisine served by Michelin-star chefs. New Zealand treasures quality, and you’ll eat and drink very well. It’s wild, too—cliff-hugging drives to lost valleys, biking between wine tastings, picnic spots literally straight out of Hobbit movies.

Moments That Matter

A spine-tingling, foot-stomping Maori haka war dance. A helicopter ride from the Kiwis’ adventure capital to waterfall-splashed picnic spots. Michelin-star chefs preparing specially arranged meals at the country’s oldest wineries. Biking winery to winery along a perfect coastline. Along the way, stay in style: luxurious cottages looking out over neighboring vines, or below peaks near the lip of glimmering lakes.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

From the casual wine lover to the outdoor enthusiast who gets a rush from helicopter rides to secluded hikes, New Zealand has something everyone can learn from and be inspired by.

When to Travel

New Zealand’s peak times are the southern hemisphere's summer: December thru February. March and April, too, offer prime weather, long evenings and autumnal colors.

Make It Yours

Only in it for the wine? We get it. Want to dial up the adventure? Always possible in New Zealand. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll make your trip unforgettable.

Day by Day

There’s a lot packed into these two little islands across the world—here’s how we recommend exploring:

Days 1 - 2

Whether you choose to start on the North or South Island, we’ll handle all the details. If you start in Auckland, the North Island’s buzzing center of art, fashion, food, take a day to relax and settle into your luxury harborside accommodations, with a leisurely evening of culinary exploration. Then, next day, dive into Maori culture on a hike guided by a Maori local and a traditional lunch. When you’re ready, we’ll get you to the airport for a short hop to Hawke’s Bay to set up in boutique hillside retreat in the heart of wine country.

  • Auckland city tour
  • Guided hike with Maori local
  • Flight to Hawke’s Bay
  • Private dinner at hotel

Day 3

French missionaries hand-picked this corner of New Zealand to introduce Loire-style wines. And the only thing better than exploring New Zealand’s brilliant mountain scenery is doing it with wine. Bicycle through 12km (7.4 miles) of limestone trails alongside the Tutaekuri River towards Church Road Winery to sample pre-release wines in their barrel halls and caves—or opt for a van ride to Silky Oak Chocolate for a little palate-cleanser. The last stop is a two-course VIP lunch at Mission Estate, New Zealand’s oldest winery.

  • Hawke's Bay bicycle tour to Church Road Winery
  • Optional van ride to chocolate tasting
  • Lunch at New Zealand’s oldest winery

Days 4 - 5

We’ll drive you south to Martinborough, known for Pinots and Chardonnays, with private tastings at premiere wineries whose stories paint a picture of the area’s approach to winemaking and its deep history. Dinners are locally sourced and sublime, at some of the region’s top kitchens.

  • Private transfer to Martinborough wine country
  • Tours and tastings at premiere wineries
  • Seasonal lunch at Moy Hall
  • Private VIP dinners

Days 6 - 8

After a quick flight to Queenstown, the country’s adventure capital, you can choose your own: Explore town at your leisure, or take in a bird’s eye view from the Skyline Gondola. Next morning, rise early for a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a private helicopter flight along rolling high-country fields and rugged peaks, then landing for a stunner one-hour hike through the Nevis Valley. Cap it off with a gourmet-platter lunch along its winding riverside. The South Island experience isn’t compete with a foray into local wine country. Drive through the countryside for a few behind-the-scenes tastings and personalized pairings of some of the region’s best varietals. At your final stop, Mt Rosa Winery, the head chef will prepare an exquisite four-course meal.

  • Flight to Queenstown
  • Adventure activities
  • Private helicopter ride to Nevis Valley hike
  • Gourmet riverside lunch
  • Tours and tastings at local wineries

Where We Sleep

Prepare for high style and design in some of New Zealand's most stunning locations—on the water, in the vines, at the base of mountains.

Auckland

The city’s emerging harborfront district—home to best restaurants and theater—is an ideal and indulgent base to settle, packed with Maori-inspired design and local art, with rooms with city views.

Hawke's Bay

We’ll get in deep with the setting, by setting up in boutique cottages with luxurious living rooms looking through huge windows to craggy peaks and rows of luscious vines.

Martinborough

Situated at the entrance of Martinborough’s quaint village square, our hotel has been the talk of the town sine the 1850s. It's still considered one of the finest hostelries in New Zealand.

Queenstown

New Zealand’s Southern Island amps up the adventure. We’ll stay in Queenstown’s best boutique digs, an intimate base overlooking the city’s snow-capped peaks and silvery waters of Lake Wakatipu—the perfect base for mountain journeys.

People Love MO/AD’s New Zealand

“
Our activities were amazing, and the accommodations and food were excellent.
Peter B.
“
I enjoyed the entire experience: the destination, the curated itinerary and pace, and, of course, the wine and food.
Susan T.
“
I'll always remember the friendships made while touring this beautiful, friendly country.
Elaine S.

FAQs

  1. How many people is this itinerary suitable for?

    We can plan a custom, private departure for any group size. Our custom trips are perfect for a couple wishing to travel on their own, a family, or a multi-generational group. If you’re looking to travel on one of our group departures on a private basis, a minimum number of travelers may apply.

  2. Can you curate an itinerary for a larger group?

    Yes, we can craft an unforgettable milestone celebration or company retreat for groups as large as 40 or more.

  3. What makes a MO/AD experience different?

    Our level of curation, care, and in-country connections. We handle everything, overseeing your experience from beginning to end with the highest levels of ownership and responsibility. We support you every step of the way with comprehensive itineraries, detailed day-by-day descriptions, insider destination info, and 24/7 dedicated support.

  4. How far in advance should I plan my trip?

    Preferably six to nine months in advance and earlier for holiday travel. We stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible. We can help with last-minute travel planning, however availability may be limited.

  5. What is typically included?

    We curate your MO/AD Private Departure to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Your itinerary typically includes accommodations, airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and meals as detailed in your itinerary.

  6. How much will it cost?

    MO/AD Private Departures typically cost $750 to $1,500 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  7. What's not included?

    MO/AD Private Departures do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, gratuities for local guides, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  8. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to design a detailed itinerary and check availability, there is a $500 non-refundable planning deposit due. This will be applied to your final trip cost. Once your itinerary is perfect, we require a 25% non-refundable confirmation deposit to start confirming all of your arrangements. Many of our local partners and hotels require additional advance deposits to secure the best accommodations. The balance of your trip cost is due 90 days prior to travel.

  9. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand. US citizens are eligible for a visa waiver and therefore do not need a visa for tourists stays of three months or less. Under the visa waiver program, US citizens will be required to have a NZeTA, which can be applied for prior to travel and is valid for multiple visits for up to two years. For full requirements and information visit the New Zealand Embassy. For citizens of other countries, please check with New Zealand’s embassy or consulate for information and requirements.

  10. Where can I find the complete terms of my booking?

    See our Terms & Conditions for complete details about our policies regarding your MO/AD Private Departure booking.