Luxury Holidays In New Zealand - 2026/2027

The Land of the Long White Cloud is every bit as beautiful as you imagine. Our luxury holidays to New Zealand transport you from jagged mountain ranges and timeless fiords to thrumming rainforests and exquisite wine estates. Along the way, we can arrange accommodation in New Zealand’s best luxury lodges and boutique guest houses. We have hand-picked the country’s most outstanding activities, and organise exclusive experiences ranging from whale watching by helicopter, gourmet tours in remote mountain ranges, glacier heli-hikes, and private island-hopping cruises in coastal idylls.

While so much of New Zealand’s magic is in the great outdoors, you definitely do not have to be an adrenaline addict to enjoy a memorable holiday here. Scenic drives and fiords cruises offer front-row seats to some of the country’s most hypnotic landscapes. A world-class food and wine scene showcases farm-to-fork dining in exemplary style, while Maori cultural tours add an important dimension to your understanding of Aotearoa. Whatever it is that draws you to the country, our specialists can design luxury New Zealand vacations entirely around you, ensuring countless unforgettable experiences along the way.

THE SEASON AHEAD

Spring is one of the most magical times of year to be in New Zealand. Longer days, snowmelt-fed rivers, wildflowers and bursts of cherry blossom bring the country vividly to life, yet the trails and national parks are still noticeably quieter than in summer. It is one of those seasons that feels like a bit of a secret, which only adds to its appeal. The South Island is invigorating for walking, all snow-dusted peaks and rolling green valleys, and white-water rafting is at its best when the rivers are running high. If you are tempted, I would say put your nerves aside and give it a go; it is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the country!

By late November, the warmth is building and attention naturally shifts towards the North Island. Hawke’s Bay comes alive with cellar-door tastings, live music and its annual food and wine festival, while Waiheke Island and the Bay of Islands begin to settle into a slower summer rhythm. From December through February, extended daylight and balmy evenings are made for sailing, kayaking and swimming, leaving plenty of time to linger over a glass of local wine or watch the sun set from the beach.

Rachel – September 2026

WHERE AND WHEN

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

New Zealand is a year-round destination, offering wonderful experiences in every season. The most popular time to visit New Zealand is during the summer season, from December to February. The long, sunny days are perfect for outdoor adventures on the South Island, wine tasting on sun-drenched vineyards, and swimming, sailing and kayaking around the Bay of Islands and Abel Tasman. Early booking is absolutely essential for a New Zealand summer vacation as the best lodges fill up sometimes a year in advance.

For a quieter experience, we recommend visiting New Zealand in either spring or autumn. You can still spend plenty of time outside, but with fewer visitors than during the summer peak. In spring (September to November), temperatures range from 15C – 22C (59F – 72F) on the North Island, and 12C – 19C (53F – 66F) on the South Island. These conditions are perfect for hiking through landscapes of waterfalls, wildflower meadows and snow-capped peaks. White water rafting in New Zealand is also wonderful in spring as the rivers are full from the winter snowmelt.

In autumn (March to May), temperatures range from 17C – 23C (63F – 73F) on the North Island and 13C – 20C (55F – 68F) on the South Island. There are still plenty of sunny days, bringing autumn colours to life against bright blue skies – perfect for hiking and photography. You can still enjoy being out on the water in autumn, and wine tasting as the harvest season gets under way.

Despite being the low season, it is still possible to visit New Zealand in winter (June to August). Mountain landscapes look all the more dramatic when blanketed with snow, and there is a lively ski scene in the Southern Alps. There are plenty of ways to warm up, in cosy lodges, geothermal springs, or by eating your way around the country and enjoying some of the finest New Zealand wines.

Where are the best places to visit in New Zealand?

Though relatively small in size, New Zealand punches well above its weight when it comes to amazing places to visit.

On the North Island, we particularly recommend:

• Waiheke Island – for world-class wine tasting and blissful island life, just a short ferry from Auckland.
• The Bay of Islands – for pristine beaches, sailing around uninhabited islands, fishing, watersports, and coastal walks.
• Hawke’s Bay – for a thriving food and wine scene, nature walks, superb golf, and explorations of the Art Deco town of Napier.
• Auckland – New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city, boasting fabulous shopping, restaurants, galleries, markets, and buzzing harbourfront bars and dining.

On the South Island, some of the best places to visit include:

• Fiordland – to enjoy wild and beautiful scenery from rainforests to plunging fiords, as well as cruises of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
• Kaikoura – for exceptional whale watching and marine life, a lively surf scene, coastal hiking and mountain biking.
• Mount Cook – for epic landscapes, incredible hiking, and glacier boat trips. You can also go heli-hiking on the Tasman Glacier.
• Abel Tasman – a temperate green paradise of forest-fringed beaches and sheltered coves, ideal for kayaking, snorkelling, wildlife watching, and gentle nature walks.

NEW ZEALAND BY SEASON

Not sure when to travel? Read our guide below to find out why New Zealand is one of the best year-round destinations to visit.

"With countless outdoor pursuits and beautiful beaches aplenty, it is no surprise that New Zealand is so often associated as being a summer destination. And, while summer is undoubtedly a wonderful time of year to visit, the spring and autumn seasons in the country can also bring rich rewards."

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DANIEL — HELICOPTER PILOT

Born and raised on a farm in the deep south of New Zealand, Daniel’s first love wasn’t sheep or tractors - it was aircraft dropping fertilizer from the sky. While other kids were dreaming of rugby stardom, Daniel was gazing skyward, wondering how to get airborne without being chased by a wayward bull.

Eventually swapping small planes for helicopters, Daniel’s aviation career began at a small family-run helicopter company in Fox Glacier, where he fell in love with showing visitors New Zealand’s jaw-dropping scenery. He then moved to Kaikoura to fly tourists over whales – for Daniel, the VIPs of the ocean.

In 2007, he swapped whales for wildfires and gold rush ghosts, heading to the Yukon in Canada. There, he helped fight fires, locate minerals, and - with a little help from friends - boost the bar economy of Whitehorse. Next stop was Papua New Guinea, where Daniel spent eight years on air expeditions which included everything from mining exploration to humanitarian aid, and even helping the U.S. military repatriate the remains of fallen WWII servicemen.

By 2016, Daniel was ready to return home to New Zealand, and Kaikoura was once again calling. Just weeks after setting up his own helicopter business, a 7.8 earthquake hit. It turns out having a helicopter during a disaster can be quite handy, and Daniel jumped straight into the task of helping rebuild the town – “because when life gives you tectonic plates, you make helicopter flights.” In 2018, he added Wings Over Whales to his aviation portfolio, to further share his passion for Kaikoura’s most majestic residents. These days, Daniel’s happiest place is in the air, in his words “cracking terrible dad jokes at 3,000 feet and making sure every guest leaves with unforgettable memories.” His mission? To make your holiday unforgettable, and to ensure Kaikoura leaves a unique and lasting impression.

FIONA — CHEF & OWNER OF HAPUKU KITCHEN

“Growing up in the south of New Zealand in a small, rural town, my Scottish heritage and family love of foraging, cooking and feasting together exposed me at a young age to a range of tastes and textures. These early experiences led to my love of food and my philosophy of cooking with the ingredients on my doorstep, leaving nothing to waste.

After many years of living and working in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, my husband Chris (Ngāi Tahu) and I made the life-changing decision to leave the city in search of a reconnection to nature. We wanted to create a unique place to rediscover the simple pleasures of sustainably growing, gathering, cooking and sharing quality food with others. Kaikōura’s dramatic landscape of snow-capped mountains, wild coastline and fertile land had a powerful calling.

The move to Kaikōura brought about major change in our lives. I was a finalist on the television series, MasterChef New Zealand, and following on from this, Chris and I took on the management of Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses, Kaikōura - now with an international reputation for excellent food and service.

Hapuku Kitchen is the realisation of a dream to host people in my home and garden, and share my culture and food philosophy. I’m enormously proud of my New Zealand heritage and the quality of our ingredients. It gives me great pleasure to welcome people from all over the world. Our guests leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the food on their plate but most importantly a lifelong connection to us and our home.”