News

With high-end travellers, it's quite easy.  They have someone they trust to look after their global travel needs.  This person could be based in the same country as the traveller but increasingly location is becoming immaterial.  Then when these travellers want to go somewhere they brief someone they already know, and this person has all their details, preferences, likes to... > Read more

When Matakauri Lodge last changed hands a few years ago, I thought "finally".  Someone's going to get it right.  The place had been blessed with some good architecture and superb views but kept falling over in service terms.  Anyway, we tried it out and it didn't work. So when Julian Robertson bought it, we watched, and tried it, with great interest.  As the... > Read more

We liked this feedback so much, we thought we would share it.  Beautifully written and typical of how much our clients enjoy themselves.  Rather than go on and on as to how we try and deliver the best quality possible, and it always sounds a bit strange coming from your own mouth, here it is, direct.... Karen, this has been a one in a lifetime trip! It has been both seamless... > Read more

In our never-ending quest to scour this land for the people and places who define it, who use it, enjoy it, who "get it", and who then want to share it with our clients, we have found another one! Quintin Quider is the force behind award winning Pinot Noir, Wild Earth.  This is a small Central Otago vineyard which shot to international fame recently (top pinot and red wine at... > Read more

And another one!  In assisting one of our clients with the purchase of a high country station here in New Zealand, we got to know and appreciate the outgoing owner.  Passionate about this country (and one of the passionate ones who was born here), Mark Dewsbery has hiked, heli-ski'd, hunted and farmed large parts of it.  His technical and mountain skills are second to none, he... > Read more

That unmentionable event which we did not pay unspeakable amounts to be a part of and therefore have to keep our distance from - has finally started. Despite the best efforts of the IRB to put everyone off rugby with their heavy handed approach to the commercialisation of the event - it seems to be going well.  The genuine love of rugby found throughout the country is making a... > Read more

Many of you have asked over the years how you can help us to reach more people, how you can endorse our services etc.  We have now redeveloped our website to allow much more interactive access and to allow our community of clients and agents to say what they think. So this is your chance to help kick-start our community. You can: (1) Post comments on any of our newsletter... > Read more

After a number of years away from trade shows we have decided to support Pure Life Experiences in Marrakech.  This seems to us to be the highest quality trade show in the world and the focus on luxury experiential travel fits us perfectly.  So we will be attending this year and available for meetings: 27th October - 31st October in London/UK 1st November - 4th November in... > Read more

Our base in Central Otago at Lauderdale is now open for events.  We have closed the accommodation as it does not fit with our core business, but the ruins, function centre and church are now re-opening and are especially suited to small quality rural weddings. The ruins also make a great small lunch venue as a number of our clients found out last season. The property is the original... > Read more

We are delighted to share with you the news that our US partner has won a major award. Cultural Crossroads (follow the link and see the award) and our longstanding Maori partner Taiamai Tours have worked with us in putting this together.  The tour features a 6-day in-depth cultural immersion with Ngapuhi, culminating in a day at prayers, on the water, and on the beach at Waitangi Day on... > Read more