Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You
Need to Know
Answers to the questions we hear most often about how we work, what we charge, and what to expect.
Getting Started
How do I begin planning a trip with Ahipara?
The simplest starting point is a conversation, by phone, email, or WhatsApp. You don't need a fully formed brief. Most of our best itineraries begin with something quite vague: "We want to do New Zealand properly" or "We have three weeks and want to do something extraordinary." We take it from there. Our style is consultative: we sit around a virtual table with you and keep asking, creating and refining until you are happy to confirm.
How much does an Ahipara journey cost?
Every Ahipara journey is quoted as a single, all-inclusive total. The average journey is around NZD $90,000, covering accommodation, private guides and transport, helicopter and charter transfers, and the experiences that make it yours. Shorter escapes start from around NZD $20,000, and private expeditions by yacht, jet and helicopter go well beyond NZD $200,000. Our 8.5% management fee is part of that total, set out in writing before you commit.
What is your 8.5% management fee?
Our management fee is 8.5% of your total trip cost and covers: full itinerary design, all booking management, pre-trip specialist consultations, 24/7 on-trip support from a dedicated specialist, and complete trip oversight from first contact to final transfer. Our fee is disclosed upfront and confirmed in writing before you commit to anything. This fee also allows us to give each staff member a budget of NZ$3000 per annum to travel the country, create new experiences and stay current. It also allows us to pay three full-time managers to be your concierge team. Card payments through Flywire carry a 1.5% surcharge.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before contacting you?
No — and we'd actually prefer you don't. The most interesting itineraries we've designed have started from the vaguest briefs. "We want to feel small in a big landscape" told us more than a 10-page brief. Tell us how you like to travel, what moves you, and any constraints. We design the rest.
About the Trips
Do you only do New Zealand?
Ahipara specialises in New Zealand — and only New Zealand. We do not design trips to other destinations. Our value is in depth: 25 years of relationships in this one country, rather than breadth across many.
How long is a typical Ahipara itinerary?
Most guests stay 10–21 nights. Below 10 nights, the logistics of moving between regions make it difficult to achieve the kind of depth we care about. Above 21 nights, we design in phases, moving between the islands and their distinct landscapes at an unhurried pace.
How long do I really need to see New Zealand?
New Zealand is larger than the United Kingdom, and we count fifteen distinct regions — our twenty-three regional guides explore them in finer detail — each worth around three nights. Seeing them all would take some forty-five days, which almost no one has. This is why every Ahipara journey begins with prioritisation rather than a checklist: we build around who you are and what you most want to experience, usually across 10–21 nights, designing in depth rather than in haste.
Should I visit the North Island or the South Island?
Both, in almost every case. The internet tends to steer visitors to the South Island for its big, empty landscapes, and it is extraordinary. But the North Island is a different country: warmer, more Pacific, and the living heart of Māori culture, with beaches, geothermal wonders, and the food and sailing of Auckland. In twenty-five years of designing New Zealand journeys, we have never had a guest regret seeing both islands.
Do you do group travel?
Yes, for the right groups. We design for families, small friend groups, and corporate groups, typically of 8 to 25 and up to around 40 people. We do not design for coach tours or large-group travel; it's incompatible with the access and personalisation we provide.
What should I expect from New Zealand weather?
New Zealand's weather is changeable: temperatures can swing by as much as 20°C in a single day, and alpine areas and early mornings run colder than you might expect. Weather is a leading cause of accidents among visitors, which is one reason we always recommend a professional guide in the backcountry, however experienced a walker you are. A seasonal guide: Summer (December to February): warm to hot, 15°C to 35°C and above Autumn (March to May): changeable, 5°C to 20°C Winter (June to August): cool, with snow in the mountains and some southern regions, -5°C to 20°C Spring (September to November): fresh and variable, 10°C to 25°C
What should I pack for my New Zealand journey?
New Zealand dresses relaxed and informal. Smart casual suits most dinners and evenings out, and ties are rarely needed. Even in summer, pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings and higher altitudes, and a lightweight waterproof jacket, because rain is always possible. Between May and September, bring warm winter clothing and dress the way New Zealanders do, in layers: a breathable base layer (merino from Icebreaker is a local favourite), a warm mid-layer and a windproof outer shell. Start the day bundled up and shed layers as it warms.
Booking & Logistics
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season travel (December–March), we recommend 6–12 months in advance. For shoulder season (April–May, September–November), 3–6 months is generally sufficient. Some experiences, particularly private helicopter access and the most sought-after properties, have very limited availability and should be secured as early as possible.
What happens if I need to cancel or change my trip?
Cancellation terms vary by property and experience. We are transparent about all cancellation policies before you commit. Our role is to manage all changes to your flights, accommodation, and experiences with a single call to your specialist. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and can advise on appropriate cover.
Do you manage flights?
We manage all internal New Zealand flights. International flights are typically booked directly by clients or through their travel agent, as we operate best as specialists within the destination. We work seamlessly with international travel agents and airlines to ensure connections work. We need to manage everything in the country in order to respond quickly when something needs changing.
Will I have a dedicated contact throughout my trip?
Yes. From the first conversation to your final airport transfer, you have a single dedicated specialist who knows your itinerary completely. They are available by phone and WhatsApp during your trip.
Do I need a visa to enter New Zealand?
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date you plan to leave New Zealand. Citizens of visa-waiver countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and most of Europe, do not need a visa for stays of up to three months (six months for UK citizens). Longer stays, or passports from outside the visa-waiver list, need a Visitor Visa. Most visa-waiver travellers do need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they fly; Australian citizens are exempt. The NZeTA is requested online through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, lasts up to two years and covers multiple visits. Most visitors pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (currently NZ$100) at the same time. Allow at least 72 hours for it to be processed.
What are my airport check-in and baggage allowances?
For international flights, arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure. For domestic flights, allow at least an hour; some airlines, including Jetstar, are strict about late arrivals. The domestic baggage allowance is typically one checked bag of up to 23kg per person, depending on your fare. If your domestic flights are on the same ticket as your international journey, your international allowance usually applies. Some regional airports and aircraft are small, so excess baggage can cause problems at check-in.
Should I drive in New Zealand?
Driving in New Zealand can be a joy, especially through its most scenic regions, but it demands attention. Roads are often narrow and winding, and the weather can change quickly. Many of our guests prefer a private driver-guide for the longer stretches. The road rules to know: Drive on the left. The speed limit is 100 km/h on most open roads (110 km/h on some expressways), 50 km/h in towns, and lower around schools. Stop at red lights. Amber means stop, unless you are so close to the intersection that stopping would be unsafe. Never cross a solid yellow no-passing line to overtake. Seat belts are compulsory for every passenger. Never drink or drug drive: it is a crime in New Zealand and the penalties are strict. Road signs use international symbols, and distances are in kilometres.
What driver's licence do I need to drive or hire a car in New Zealand?
You can drive in New Zealand on a current overseas driver's licence. If it is not in English, you must also carry an accurate English translation from an approved translator, or an International Driving Permit, together with the original licence. Rental companies apply the same rule when you hire a car.
What happens if I am injured while travelling in New Zealand?
New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers visitors who are injured in an accident here, contributing to the cost of treatment and recovery while you remain in the country. In return, you cannot sue anyone in New Zealand for compensatory damages for a personal injury. ACC does not cover everything, so comprehensive travel and medical insurance is still essential. ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation in New Zealand, and you will usually pay part of the cost yourself. It does not cover the wider costs of an accident: delayed or rearranged travel, your journey home, treatment once you are home, or lost income. Medical care in New Zealand is of a high standard, but it is not free for visitors outside what ACC covers.
Do I need any medication or vaccinations for New Zealand travel?
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand. You can bring up to three months' supply of prescription medicine, and up to one month's supply of controlled drugs, for your own use. Keep medicines in their original packaging and carry the prescription or a letter from your doctor in English. Controlled drugs, and more than three months' supply of any medicine, must be declared on arrival. Some medicines sold over the counter elsewhere need a prescription in New Zealand.
How do I access my money in New Zealand?
All major international credit cards are widely accepted throughout New Zealand, and contactless payment is almost universal, though a few smaller shops do not take American Express. If your card has a PIN, you can withdraw cash from ATMs in cities and towns. Traveller's cheques are no longer used.
What is New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
GST is a 15% tax included in the price of almost all goods and services in New Zealand. Visitors cannot claim it back on departure, but if a shop sends a purchase directly to your home address overseas, GST is not charged.
How much should I tip in New Zealand?
Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, even in fine dining restaurants and bars, and nobody will think less of you for not tipping. Staff are paid a fair wage, and hotels and restaurants do not add a service charge to the bill, although a surcharge on public holidays is common. Exceptional service is always appreciated, and guides, drivers and waitstaff who look after international travellers are used to tips. If you would like to tip, we suggest NZ$50 to NZ$100 a day for a private guide, and around 15% in fine dining restaurants.
What time zone is New Zealand in?
New Zealand is one of the first countries to greet each new day. New Zealand Standard Time is 12 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+12). Daylight saving runs from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April, when clocks move forward to GMT+13. The Chatham Islands (Rēkohu) keep their own time, 45 minutes ahead of the rest of the country.
What adapters do I need to connect to electricity in New Zealand?
New Zealand runs on 230/240 volts and uses the same angled two- or three-pin plugs as Australia (Type I). Many hotels have a 110-volt socket for electric razors. For everything else, bring a universal adapter, and a converter for any device that does not support 230 volts; most phone, tablet and laptop chargers handle both.
Will I be able to use my mobile phone in New Zealand?
Check international roaming with your mobile provider before you travel, or we can arrange a local SIM card or mobile phone for you. Coverage is good in towns and along the main highways but patchy in remote areas and the backcountry. Where you need guaranteed contact, we can provide a satellite phone.
How will I stay connected to the internet and WiFi in New Zealand?
Most hotels and lodges offer WiFi, and free hotspots are common in cities but rarer in rural areas. For a reliable connection throughout your journey, we recommend a local data plan on a New Zealand SIM card or eSIM.
Accommodation & Experiences
Can I stay at properties not in your portfolio?
Yes. If you have a property in mind that isn't in our portfolio, we'll research it, visit it if appropriate, and book it if it meets our standards. We are not limited to a fixed set of partnerships. We also have access to many properties not listed on this site.
How do your Māori cultural experiences work?
Our Māori cultural experiences are arranged through long-standing relationships with specific iwi (tribal groups) and individuals who have chosen to share their culture with appropriate visitors. We have spent 20 years building these relationships. These are genuine cultural exchanges, not performances designed for tourism.
What experiences require the most lead time?
The experiences that book furthest in advance are: private helicopter access in South Westland and Fiordland, Cabot Lodge and Huka Lodge during peak season, private Māori cultural programmes, and our most sought-after experiences. Some experiences in the South Island, particularly private fishing beats, operate on an annual allocation that fills within weeks of opening.
Still have questions?
The best answers come from a conversation. Get in touch and one of our specialists will reply personally within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.