Please make your way to the International Airport with enough time to check in at least 2 hours prior to your flight. On arrival in New Zealand you will be met at the airport by your experienced guide and transferred to our centrally located hotel. Your guide will run through a full trip and safety briefing and team introduction. We will talk a short walk from our hotel to the nearby vibrant Viaduct Harbour area. Auckland is a city currently going through architectural change transforming into a more sustainable and people friendly area with public spaces being created with shady Pohutukawa Trees. We will discuss the changes being made and why, as we explore this region by foot and get up close to the harbour with he new ‘tidal shelf’ viewing areas reaching out over the water. We explore on foot before having a welcome meal at a local restaurant.

Meals:  D

A scenic walk from our accommodation through The Domain takes you to Auckland Museum. The Auckland Domain is the city's oldest park and is spacious and diverse. The 75 hectare park has been developed around the cone of an extinct volcano. The 'tuff rings' created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago can be seen in the land contours. We will walk along a route with sculptural works by some of New Zealand's leading artists showcasing their history and culture. At the museum we will explore the Maori and Pacifica Island exhibits through the aotearoa,engaging-the-indigenous program. This focuses on Indigenous New Zealanders who travelled West to Australia and make a unique contribution to Australian culture through their sensitivity to place. Then it’s a time to see first hand why they call Auckland the City of Sails, as we take a cruise across the Gulf to the beautiful Rangitoto Island; which at only 600 years old, is the youngest volcano in New Zealand. Rangitoto is dormant. We will learn about the Islands significant conservation and restoration programme which has rendered the island entirely pest-free which encourages the native flora and fauna to thrive. We will walk through lava fields and forests to the summit of the island which stands 259m above sea level and has some stunning panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. Walk Profile- Rangitoto Island: Distance- 8.5 km/5 miles, total ascent 249m and descent 245m, approx. 2-3 hours.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning after breakfast we join our private vehicle for the to Paihia. We will have numerous stops along the way to see the dramatic coastline and points of interest as we drive north to the Bay of Islands. The first we’ll come across is approximately 1 hour into the journey, called the Dome Valley Lookout. After we stop it is around a 40 minute one way walk that takes you through native bush to a lookout platform looking back out to the Mahurangi Peninsula and Hauraki Gulf. On arrival in Paihia we will check into our accommodation before we catch the mid-afternoon ferry across to Russell, New Zealand’s first permanent European settlement. There’ll be time to explore this interesting small town and learn about its colourful history, with the option to walk up the nearby Flagstaff Hill. Late this afternoon we return to Paihia.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will join an immersive cultural experience at Waitangi. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds offers an authentic and inspiring cultural immersion experience that encompasses powerful Maori cultural performances in a beautifully carved meeting house. The Maori cultural performance is world-class, with the Te Pitowhenua, performing arts group, delivering a high-energy show including a wero, waiata, poi and famous haka,that will leave you spellbound. We will get to meet the performers and ask them questions about their craft and culture. We can then explore the award winning museum and try our hand at the art of Maori carving overlooking the stunning Bay of Islands. This afternoon we return to Paihia.

Meals:  B,L,D

"The Twin Coast is at the historical heart of Aotearoa New Zealand. The trail is just a great way to experience a range of physical and cultural landscapes that will stay with you long after you've finished the ride." (Jonathan Kennett, Cycling Guru) After breakfast, a short drive takes us to Opua and the start of the Twin Coast Cycle. The trail heads off along an estuary edged with mangroves. The gentle trail continues alongside the tracks of a vintage steam railway and crosses a beautifully restored bridge before ending in the small rural town of Kawakawa. Next, we cycle through the town of Moerewa where we’ll the opportunity to overnight at Te Rito Marae. This is a family run Marae in a beautiful rural setting where we’ll be treated to an authentic Maori marae experience. After a traditional powhiri welcome onto the marae and some traditional story telling we will enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner. During the stay you will experience Maori history, place and people through evocative stories and activities. Overnight traditional Maori Marae farm

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning after breakfast we will farewell our hosts at the marae then we’ll drive through to Kaikohe to pick up the next section of the cycle trail. We start by climbing gently along an old railway corridor to reach a viewpoint 280m above sea level. After passing through a tunnel constructed in 1915, the trail descends to Lake Omapere where we will have a picnic lunch. After lunch, we tackle the last part of the ride through farmland before descending into the valley following a series of switchbacks. A 1200m-long boardwalk section then snakes through the mangrove estuary connecting us to the Hokianga Harbour. The trail ends in the quaint historical settlement of Horeke. After loading up we’ll drive round to the small coastal town of Omapere where we’ll spend the night.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning after breakfast we will have a full safety check and breifing before embarking on a early morning kayak on the huge expanse of Hokianga Harbour. Known also as 'Te Kohanga o Te Tai Tokerau', the nest of the northern tribes as most Maori trace their ancestry to the discovery and settlement of this harbour, making it the birthplace of the Nation. We then drive south to join the Tane Mahuta walk to see the God of the forrest - New Zealand's largest living Kauri tree. We continue to Muriwai or Piha Beaches to embark on a local conservation program on the beach.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we keep heading south into the Mighty Waikato – a land rich in agriculture, history and geothermal activity as we drive to Rotorua. We can learn about farming techniques and crops in this region as we undertake a number of short walks and explore places of historical and cultural significance.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a special day. This morning we visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of volcanic activity. It’s vibrant geothermal activity combines to provide students with a multi-layered field study and a positive learning experience. The local guides can concentrate on specific geographic, tourism or sustainable aspects of the park to enhance the discovery process and meet curriculum needs. After our exploration we continue onto the award winning Kohu Tapu Lodge, surrounded by lush farmlands and forestry and overlooking the pristine Lake Aniwhenua - teeming with Rainbow and Brown trout. Owned and operated by the Ngati Manawa Tribe, with their whakapapa (family tree) stretching back to these lands 400 years before the Great Migration, they will share their culture and history with students.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will have a full day interactive and hands on cultural immersion program that will not only be highly educational but a lot of fun! Nadine who runs the program here will join your group for the days activities. Many of the Ngati Manawa stories have been handed down generation to generation and are waiting to be shared, along with plenty of interactive cultural activities and traditional kai (food) experiences. he group will visit several nearby sights including waterfalls and caves where significant events have taken place in Maori local history. Nadine is a leader in the tourism industry and Maori community and is developing an audience nationally to help further educate and make aware of the struggles her people are still facing. She is full of life, larger than life and funny too. Nadine will be with the group and deliver the program – she is a super star – and the students will love her!

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will continue to explore at Kohu Tapu Lodge before joining our vehicle for the drive back to Auckland and the last night of our program.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we wake very early and transfer to Auckland Airport for our flight home.

Meals:  B