Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990
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BOOK your NZ JOURNEY
Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990
BOOK your NZ JOURNEY

Frequently Asked Questions

When you book direct you pay a retail rate with the lodge, while we have contracts that allow us to book wholesale. Thus, when you book through our team you are not going to pay any more out of pocket because you are paying retail. It’s where you cut the check that differs, but the ultimate number you write on the check does not. However! We provide more than simply booking accommodations for you! Working out all of the details for your trip and providing a clear itinerary- especially for more complex travel situations (multiple flights, multiple locations, etc.) our service mitigates the risk of a bad trip and increases the chance of a great trip.
Businesses are bought and sold in New Zealand as they are anywhere. And with an ownership/ outfitter change sometimes what was once great is no longer up to standard. Thus, perhaps the most common mistake for those who visit New Zealand for the first time is blindly repeating the tours and activities of an acquaintance who has been there in the past.  Although you may trust that person implicitly, are they an expert? Do they admit, or even understand, the opportunity cost of better activities? Is their trip the same one you are looking for? Where did they get their recommendation in the first place? Using trusted people around us is a great way to gain information, however it also has the chance to become a large game of telephone tag. One person's recommendation is transferred down the line and ultimately taken as gospel, without understanding the facts and current situation in the country. Our team is more than happy to take input, research and feedback in order to incorporate your wishes into the trip. Afterall, this is your time! However, we also ask that you trust us when the quality of a tour has gone south, or the price is out of alignment to the quality, or an accommodation has not been kept up to our expectations.
In New Zealand Avis is the largest car rental company, internationally recognized, with a reputation for reliable service, and a well-maintained fleet of cars. When landing at Auckland airport the Avis rental cars are conveniently located outside of the airport doors. With other car rental companies, although the per-day rate may be lower, the quality of the cars may be lower and models significantly older. The location of the rental kiosk may require an additional shuttle and while saving the 30 minutes each way may not seem significant, the convenience is just one of the small things our team thinks about as we construct the best use of your time while in New Zealand
Long haul direct flights from the mainland United States to Auckland are via: 1 flight a day from San Francisco (13 hours), 2 flights a day from Los Angeles (13 hours), and 5 flights a week from Houston (15 hours). These flights will leave late at night and land in Auckland early in the morning (5:30am - 7am) + 1 day. Thus, when leaving the United States on a Friday night for example, most will have a meal/ watch a movie and sleep for most of the flight- landing on Sunday morning at 6:30am.
Recently there has been significant competition for airlines in New Zealand as both United Airlines (a partner of Air New Zealand) and American Airlines introduced routes from the United States. Best of New Zealand has been an Air New Zealand partner for many years due to its quality service and safety record.  As US-based carriers continue to eliminate loyalty benefits, it may make sense even for the most loyal flyers to book with us and Air New Zealand, as points can be more easily used for domestic flights and the service for an international flight is truly the level we expect for travel. Feedback from clients also has been extremely positive, as the attendants on Air New Zealand are Kiwis and the pride and service extends the hospitality of the country from the moment you step onto the plane.
Long haul flights with Air New Zealand are split into 3 classes of service: Business Premier: 2 checked bags, Individual seats staggered in the cabin & fold to lie-flat beds.  Premium Economy: 2 checked bags, premium check-in, more legroom + recline Economy: 1 checked bag with choice to include a Skycouch
The varied terrain and beauty of the country speaks for itself, but in the United States many of us often forget about a time when travel did not consist of the stress associated with modern urban centers (navigating rush hour traffic, the hassle of long TSA lines, etc.) Many who visit New Zealand for the first time equate the country to “going back in time.” An example of this is that domestic flights consist of checking bags and walking straight to the gate. TSA does not exist in New Zealand. Driving is also done on the left side – often on two way roads. When is the last time you crossed a river on a single lane bridge? This sounds daunting until you realize you have not seen another vehicle on the road for the last 20 minutes. For golfers looking for an “iced tea” after a round... there is none. New Zealanders, like the British, take their tea seriously and with ceremony. They do not put ice in their tea! Some courses in New Zealand have an honesty box. Simply put the greens fees into the slot and tee up!
This question comes down to two main points: The Best of New Zealand provides a service to clients who value our expertise and relationships in New Zealand.  In exchange for the time and thought we devote to the creation of a detailed and custom itinerary (taking into account unique needs and desires) our clients commit to using our services to secure their reservations (accommodations, rental cars, activities, tee times, airfare, etc.) Value: People are busy with their daily lives. Rather than delving into the details of the New Zealand holiday our clients set the "strategy" and convey their needs. Our team works through the details and provides sage advice. The result is a more efficient use of our client's spare time and an increase in the probability of a more enjoyable trip. 2) The Best of New Zealand buys at negotiated rates and passes significant savings, often below retail rates, to our clients.  In exchange for selling their accommodations, airline, rental car, etc. our company receives "wholesale" pricing. We then provide line-by-line retail pricing to our clients and run our business on the difference between the two numbers. In the end clients will not pay anything out of pocket above what they would normally pay by making direct reservations themselves. So it's sort of a no-brainer to use our service, right?! Note! Sometimes clients will find a low-cost price on a property that we do not use or wish to use airline points on an airline with which we do not have a relationship. That is a-ok with us! There are plenty of low-cost rental car companies that will also probably rent a car in New Zealand with 83k miles on the speedometer. Net, you may be able to find better prices outside of the partners we have vetted!  Our partners are chosen for different reasons. Some represent a balance of cost/value while others represent super-luxury. All however maintain good business practices and offer reliable service, convenience, comfort. We also have personally stayed and visited the properties on a regular basis to ensure they are up to The Best of New Zealand standard.
Call or email us. The easiest way to vet our services is to bring us your initial thoughts and a budget for your trip. We will continue to post references on our web pages, Facebook, etc. but we have been in business for over 25 years and would not be a viable entity if we could not deliver.
Our team consists of a mix of people from Kiwis to Americans... but all are well traveled and visit NZ on a regular basis (at least annually for everyone in the office) in order to consistently vet accommodations and maintain direct relationships and experiences. When we craft an itinerary we are doing so from our own first-hand experience. There are some agencies for which New Zealand is a small piece of the portfolio, if not just a page on a website. For our team New Zealand commands our full attention, as it is our primary focus. We multiply our expertise because, at any given point, someone on our staff is either in-country or planning a familiarization/site inspection. This allows us to stay on top of the latest properties while ensuring that those we recommend remain up to par with the expectations of our clients.
Of the 4.5m people who call themselves New Zealanders most are of British descent. The indigenous people, the Maori, comprise about 14% of the population. A rich blend of Maori custom and tradition exist today and can be viewed and experienced throughout the country. New Zealander's proudly call themselves "Kiwis," a term that bonds the multicultural society that is emerging today. Feedback from our clients and personal experience is that Kiwis tend to be friendly, generous, direct and see things in a very practical manner. Many are active in helping in terms of community and country. Remaining humble is a common trait and arrogance is not tolerated. It's amazing that for such a small country NZ has a history of production and results on the world stage: dominant in rugby, political stability, world-class wine, America's Cup sailing, acting, and rights relating to social issues. We strongly urge when you visit New Zealand to consider the experience as a whole and not to see the country from the window of a hotel that looks like the same room you could have in any other city. It will separate your time and create more lasting memories.
There are no snakes in NZ... unlike Australia which is filled with all sorts of stuff. A Kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. Natives call themselves “Kiwi's” as a result. There is also a fruit called the Kiwifruit but this actually came from China in the early 1900's.. Made up of two large and hundreds of smaller islands most of the country is near the sea. In fact no matter where you go you are always within about 80 miles of the water. The first man to climb Mt. Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, was from New Zealand! Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world. New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote (In 1893) and women have held many high office seats, including Prime Minister One third of the country is protected national park The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million people and 75% of them live on the North Island. Rugby is the national sport. The All Blacks are the center of much conversation and the economy takes a dip when the team loses.
Mistaking New Zealand for a tiny country in which one may easily move around within is one of the most common mistakes made by people who DIY their trip. So many visitors will end up trying to fit in too much during their time, and end up seeing the country from inside the window of their car. Although about half the size of California, New Zealand does not have 5 lane freeways to move people throughout the country. Roads are tight and narrow and one should not expect to get from place A to place Z anywhere near the time frame typically taken in the USA. Leverage The Best of New Zealand team to help sort through what you want to see and do while in New Zealand and leave the bookings and logistics to us! We are the experts and will provide honest feedback and advice as to your plans. In exchange for this we hope you will honor our time and use our services to book your trip. You will not pay more to use our service, as we provide retail prices and have contracts with partners in New Zealand!
All major credit cards are accepted in New Zealand. You can use debit cards and credit cards encoded with a PIN number to withdraw cash from ATMs situated at banks and shopping centers, and to pay for petrol (gasoline), etc. Travellers checks are accepted at hotels, banks, and some stores.
Tap water is fresh and safe to drink in all New Zealand cities and towns. Bottled water is available throughout the country as well.
Electricity in New Zealand is 230/240 volts, although many hotels and motels provide 110-volt AC sockets for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. Power outlets only accept flat 3-pin or 2-pin plugs, depending whether an earth connection is fitted.
This is a difficult question to answer – kind of like asking how much does it cost to buy a car. It all depends on what your budget and expectations are, your interests and activities, the type of accommodation you are looking for, the time of year you visit, the duration of your stay, to name a few. Currency exchange rates fluctuate as well, and will affect the cost of goods and services.

1) New Zealand drives on the left side of the road. The wheel is on the right side of the car. Thus, if you are not used to driving on the opposite side of the road, take some time to familiarize yourself with driving and understand what other cars on the road are doing!
2) You must have a “Valid Drivers License” or an “International Drivers Permit” these licenses must be in English. If the license is any language other than English then it must be translated by a bona fide translator into English and they must also carry the original licenses with them.
You can drive in New Zealand if: You have a current and valid overseas license or driver permit (IDP International Driving Permit) and You haven’t been given a disqualification or suspension in New Zealand, and You came into New Zealand less than 12 months ago, and Your overseas license is in English, or you have an accurate translation, and You haven’t been granted a New Zealand driver license since you last entered New Zealand. If you don’t meet all of these requirements, you must apply for a New Zealand driver license to drive in New Zealand. The long and short of it is, No driver’s license (as per above), No driving in New Zealand.
From Oct.1, 2019, all visa-waiver travelers (including from USA and Canada) must hold a passport (valid for three (3) months past date of departure from New Zealand) & an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This is a border security and facilitation measure.
World class luxury amenities, fantastic scenic locations, expansive properties and service expected from the best boutiques in the world. With perhaps a dozen deluxe suites being the usually the “norm” for the size of the property, options exist from rooms in the main building to more exclusive on-property Owner’s Cottages and private residences ranging to $30k+ / night. These properties are the pinnacle of privacy and grandeur within the country.
The B&B is a purpose-built cozy homestay often owned and run by the hosts. Served breakfast is the norm in the morning, with evening canapés and a glass of wine enjoyed over conversation with other guests prior to going your separate ways to dinner. The B&B hosting culture is not prevalent in the United States and first-time travelers to New Zealand may be gun shy as what to expect. However if interested to meet other travelers, if only for brief conversation, we definitely recommend B&Bs. For an angler the B&B will depend on the area- our staff knows which B&Bs are best for couples vs. anglers, etc.
Hosted rooms or cottages on the property of a working farm (usually sheep) managed by the family and owner of the farm itself. Charming, salt of the earth, unassuming and honest straightforward people- the Kiwis master the art of being a great host, a skill all but lost in the go-go modern United States. B&Bs are an invitation into something that almost feels out of yesteryear. The number of rooms is usually under 10, and often 3 or 4.
Self-contained and self-catered private apartments (usually in the city) and cottages (in the country) are clean and simple. Perfect for larger families and groups that need more than 2 rooms, these are a decent choice if you like to cook or prefer to provide your own meal options. Room sizes can range up to 4-bedrooms.
In New Zealand motels are will be a basic and clean room in a purpose-built building. The dingy roadside motel that is often conjured as an image within the United States should not be associated with the quality of a room which you will get in New Zealand. Without massive superhighways throughout the country motel are still very much part of the Kiwi culture. Rooms will usually not have room service, so you will need to take meals in town.

As in the US there are vacation rental and room-stay sites that offer accommodations in New Zealand. The value of using our service is that we personally vet locations and have a relationship with the owner/host for the property. Mitigating risk of traveling to New Zealand only to stay in a less than desirable accommodation is one of the reasons to contact us. A few possible issues that may exist with online vacation rentals are:

  1. The property is not ready upon arrival (water is not on, key is not in the lock box, late arrival and management company is closed, etc.)
  2. Vacation homes may not be up to the standards of the North American visitor
  3. Reviews provided online from those without our standards
  4. Pictures do not convey street noise or proximity to less desirable surroundings.
To understand New Zealand more intimately we believe one must get to know the people of the country. The art of being a good host is somewhat lost in the United States, with massive hotel chains and “loyalty points” programs dictating where we stay, yet providing a similar experience whether in Chicago or Atlanta. New Zealand does not have the superhighways of North America. Thus, similar to the historic Route 66, roads in NZ retain a culture of roadside motels and B&Bs where travelers spend a night or two. American families once depended on this style in their travel out West, post-WW2. No, B&Bs and motels of New Zealand are unfamiliar to most American travelers under the age of 50.
Although New Zealand has not traditionally been a country of tipping North American tourists have changed this over the past number of years. However, in all cases tipping is for appreciation and a set minimum is not always expected. Restaurants: Most restaurants now have a line for gratuities on the credit card charge slip. However tipping should be reserved for fine dining, as a sign of appreciation for excellent service. 10% is a very decent tip in this case in a fine dining restaurant, but there is no set rule for a percentage. The wait staff does not split tips with the rest of the staff at the end of the night. Fly Fishing: Fishing guides are another story today, and many not only appreciate tips but expect them. However, expectations can vary between $50 and $100 for a full day on the water. If you are pleased with the level of service and attention provided in a lodge a suitable tip for house staff would be in the region of NZ$10 at the end of your stay- left on the dresser.
New Zealand’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. Spring weather begins in October, the warmest summer months are January and February, and March and April are considered Fall. The climate ranges from sub-tropical in the North to temperate in the South. Rain can occur at any time. The summer weather is generally pleasant, with the average highs in the mid 70’s. Though not hot, the infrared rays of the sun in this part of the world are particularly intense. A wide brimmed hat, long sleeved shirt and frequent use of a strong sun block is recommended!
When traveling to New Zealand with a U.S. phone, you should check with your service provider on overseas packages, roaming charges and data limitations. If your phone is unlocked (which may need to be done by your service provider), you can purchase a SIM card in New Zealand – available at most petrol stations, supermarkets and general stores. SIM cards are typically pay-as-you-go.
Taxis are readily available in big cities. Uber is available in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, Nelson, Napier, Taupo and Rotorua.
Goods and Services in New Zealand are subject to a 15% Goods and Service Tax, commonly known as GST. The tax is almost always included in the price displayed. Overseas visitors cannot claim back GST.
New Zealand’s electricity is supplied at 220/240 volts, 50 hertz, although hotels and motels provide 110 volt 20 watt sockets for electric razors only. If your electrical appliance is dual voltage you will require an adapter to fit a 3-prong socket, if not, you will require a converter and an adapter.
Unlock the secrets of New Zealand’s hidden gems with our exclusive service. With years of well-established relationships across the country, we’re your passport to a truly unforgettable journey. We specialize in transforming a “good trip” into a “great trip” by meticulously vetting accommodations, offerings, tours, and guides through frequent visits. Discover the difference with us and elevate your New Zealand adventure to extraordinary heights.

Contact us

  • Book your New Zealand adventure today
  • Toll free : (800) 528-6129
  • Phone : (310) 202-3900
  • info@bestofnz.net
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