Kaewa Tours is a family-owned company (Tom Collier and Jill Burns) established late 2020.

We are solely dedicated to private tours of up to 11 people therefore your customers tour will be precisely their own tour. However, larger groups can be catered for upon enquiry.

We operate boutique and unique tours of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Kāpiti Coast from solo travellers up to 11 guests capturing the best sights, smells and tastes of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Kāpiti Coast has to offer focusing on the finer things in life – Wine, Food and Craft Beer!

We also operate Scenic and Lord of the Rings Scene location tours as well as multi day tours staying in our own home on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast.

Regional Tourism Organisation working to promote the Mackenzie Region. The region is home to New Zealand’s highest mountain, longest glacier, vivid turquoise lakes, golden grasslands and largest dark sky reserve.

The Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery is a multi-faceted immersive experience celebrating the art and architecture of Austrian painter, ecologist, architect, visionary, Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Visitors can experience architecture in harmony with nature including an Afforested Roof, be inspired by the largest collection of Hundertwasser artworks outside of Vienna as well as living examples of Hundertwasser’s ecological practices. An interactive guided tour enhances visitor experience by contextualising his life, art and philosophies.

Housed within the Centre is the Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Aotearoa’s only dedicated public gallery showcasing world class contemporary Māori Art with changing exhibitions.

Aqua Cafe-Restaurant, located upstairs with views over the picturesque international marina on the Hatea River, can cater for groups and offers brunch, lunch and dinner service most days as well as a daily selection of pastries. Spaces can also be hired for educational programmes and private events, offering an authentic and unique experience.

Founded in 1973, the company’s legacy, in-depth experience and commitment towards quality service and product development has earned it a solid and respected reputation.

Because General Travel New Zealand is privately owned and operated, its principals bring a truly personalised “hands-on” approach to the business.

Highly skilled, multi-lingual staff with an intimate knowledge of New Zealand are on hand from start to finish, providing guidance and care for the safety and well-being of travellers from all corners of the world.

• All Inclusive Package Tours
• Independent Travel Arrangements
• Group Tours
• Incentive Tours
• Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Management

ANZCRO Celebrates 30-Year Birthday with Special Edition of Iconic New Zealand Book

This year, ANZCRO is excited to celebrate its 30-year birthday alongside the anniversary of its iconic New Zealand Book with a special edition. Top of FormPacked with new features and updated content, this version is the most comprehensive NZ Book yet.

“When we started three decades ago, we were the only wholesaler in Australia selling a full range of New Zealand FIT products—everything from accommodation to car hire to rail journeys, guided walks, and sightseeing,” explains Nick Guthrey, ANZCRO CEO and Managing Director. “The NZ Book became our most important vehicle for showcasing the breadth of our product to Travel Agents.”

“What began as a simple 15-page A5 booklet has now evolved into a full 124-page A4 brochure, split into regions, with a generously sized pullout map at the back. We highlight about 400 of our most popular products and suppliers, which these days doesn’t scratch the surface of the 40,000 plus NZ products we sell. The New Zealand Book—or Bible as it is often referred to in the trade—really is the best planning tool for clients interested in booking a domestic holiday.”

The 30-year edition of the NZ Book features a Maori Pounamu Carving on the cover. The stone’s most crucial characteristic is that it represents the genuineness of relationships with friends and family. “We intentionally chose this image because we wanted to celebrate our friendship and gratitude for our valued Travel Agents, suppliers and colleagues that have supported us over the past 30 years,” says Guthrey.

New for 2024 is a dedicated section for self-guided rail tours, including four of ANZCRO’s most popular rail packages. “Rail holidays in New Zealand have been booming for the past two years, particularly self-guided tours,” states Louise Bilbie, ANZCRO’s Head of Product.

For travellers seeking to immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural beauty of New Zealand without the stress of driving, train travel is the ideal choice. “With the introduction of the Scenic Plus carriage on the three Great Rail Journeys of New Zealand, passengers now have the option of a more luxurious experience. Relaxing in a spacious seat, they can enjoy a hot meal made from fresh, local ingredients while taking in the rolling scenery outside. It’s a wonderful way to add a touch of luxury to a standard rail holiday.”

ANZCRO’s popular 12-Day Grand Rail Explorer starts from $2,765pp.

The 30 Year edition of ANZCRO’s New Zealand Book is available to order from BrochureNet or view online here.
30 Year Anniversary video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MXGr_xP4t0&t=23s

Roadshow helps build event expertise in the Thermal Explorer region
More than 60 event organisers from the central North Island took part in capability building workshops recently as part of the Thermal Explorer Regional Events Fund roadshow.

The free workshops, held in Taupō, Ohakune, Rotorua, and Hamilton throughout March, helped event organisers and others involved in event management to develop strategies for measuring the performance of their events and planning for future growth. Read more here.

Haka Educational Tours joins BCorp movement
Haka Educational Tours (HET) is proud to announce that it is now a Certified B Corporation. HET is the first educational travel company in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the fourth New Zealand tourism business to certify, joining a global community of businesses that make a legal commitment to balance purpose and profit by businesses as a force for good, for people, and the planet. Read the full release here. 

Milford Sound Tourism is the tourist infrastructure provider in Milford Sound. We own and operate the harbour, wharves, visitor terminal and parking in Milford Sound. We also run the wastewater plant and the rubbish and recycling systems, ensuring this pristine wilderness is kept just that, pristine.

We are a NZCAA Part 135 certified helicopter operating company providing flights for tourism and commercial helicopter support.

Return to the helm – Leigh Stock New General Manager

The Board of Edgewater – Lake Wānaka announces that Leigh Stock will be the new General Manager of Wānaka’s premier lakeside accommodation property.

Leigh is returning to familiar territory, as he previously held the role of General Manager at Edgewater from 2003-2014.  With his official return to the helm slated for 6 March 2024, Leigh brings a wealth of experiences gained since his last tenure at Edgewater.

Leigh served as Senior Accommodation Manager for the FIFA Women’s World Cup held in 2023, General Manager Accommodation portfolio for Skyline Enterprises (then Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge and Blue Peaks Lodge & Apartments) and General Manager at The Hermitage – Aoraki Mount Cook.   Currently, he is General Manager at Holiday Inn Remarkables Park in Queenstown.

In announcing the appointment, Board Chair, Andy Macfarlane, comments that Leigh is passionate about Wānaka and Edgewater.  “He also brings expertise in running hotels while undergoing refurbishment – a critical skill as Edgewater continues with the next stages of the refurbishment programme, whilst the hotel remains open and operational.  He is an ideal fit for the role”.

There will be a seamless transition from current General Manager, Colin McClean to the Leigh Stock.  Colin has adeptly led the hotel for the past 18 months; through the post-Covid recovery phase and managed the early stages of the refurbishment programme resulting in the opening of the first stage of the refurbished Premium rooms in December 2023.

Leigh Stock will be attending New Zealand premier tourism industry trade business-to-business event, TRENZ in Wellington in May.   ENDS

For further information contact

Board Chairman – Andy Macfarlane, Ph +64 27 432 3964.

Leigh Stock, General Manager at Edgewater – Lake Wanaka

Attached Image:  Leigh Stock

About Edgewater:

Edgewater is a 103-room hotel situated directly on the shores of Lake Wānaka, the only accommodation property in Wānaka situated in such a prime location.

At the heart of the hotel is The Edgewater Restaurant offering all day dining complemented by resort style facilities; all-weather tennis courts, spa, sauna, putting green, bike hire, helicopter pad, and ski-drying room. 

The hotel attracts both New Zealand and international guests year-round.

The hotel holds a Qualmark 4.5 star Gold grading, is Toitū accredited and a proud supporter of Love Wanaka.  

The ownership of the hotel is comprised of shareholders across 65 unit titles.  The owners’ interests are represented by a Board that govern the operations of the hotel.

www.edgewater.co.nz