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New Zealand

Discover New Zealand: Walking Clean and Green

Program No. 12346RJ
Walk and learn about New Zealand with experts, discovering this island nation’s passion for protecting their natural resources as you explore fjords, coastlines and Maori culture.

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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Jan 16 - Feb 6, 2024
Starting at
9,049
Jan 30 - Feb 20, 2024
Starting at
9,049
Feb 13 - Mar 5, 2024
Starting at
9,399
Mar 12 - Apr 2, 2024
Starting at
9,399
Oct 22 - Nov 12, 2024
Starting at
9,499
Jan 14 - Feb 4, 2025
Starting at
9,799
Feb 4 - Feb 25, 2025
Starting at
9,799
Feb 25 - Mar 18, 2025
Starting at
9,799
Oct 28 - Nov 18, 2025
Starting at
9,799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Jan 16 - Feb 6, 2024
Starting at
10,519
Jan 30 - Feb 20, 2024
Starting at
10,519
Filling Fast!
Feb 13 - Mar 5, 2024
Starting at
10,869
Mar 12 - Apr 2, 2024
Starting at
10,869
Filling Fast!
Oct 22 - Nov 12, 2024
Starting at
10,969
Filling Fast!
Jan 14 - Feb 4, 2025
Starting at
11,199
Filling Fast!
Feb 4 - Feb 25, 2025
Starting at
11,199
Filling Fast!
Feb 25 - Mar 18, 2025
Starting at
11,199
Filling Fast!
Oct 28 - Nov 18, 2025
Starting at
11,199

At a Glance

The sparsely populated but multicultural island nation of New Zealand takes pride in its “clean and green” environment. From grand glaciers, stunning fjords and sparkling lakes to majestic mountains, lush pasturelands and rich rainforests, experience New Zealand’s wealth of natural beauty on walks led by lively and knowledgeable local experts.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking up to six miles daily; uneven and hilly terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Explore the world-famous Milford Sound by boat and foot.
  • Enjoy a morning of traditional Maori song, dance and customs.
  • Take a field trip to a family sheep farm to gain first-hand insight into farming in New Zealand.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Fiona Barker
Fiona Barker is a graduate of both Victoria University and Harvard University, and teaches comparative politics at Victoria University. Prior to joining the staff at Victoria, she was a Jean Monnet Postdoctoral Scholar at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. Her research and teaching interests focus on topics such as nationalism, immigration and electoral reform in New Zealand. She has been a visiting fellow at various institutions including the University of Edinburgh and Université Québec à Montréal.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Fiona Barker
Fiona Barker View biography
Fiona Barker is a graduate of both Victoria University and Harvard University, and teaches comparative politics at Victoria University. Prior to joining the staff at Victoria, she was a Jean Monnet Postdoctoral Scholar at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. Her research and teaching interests focus on topics such as nationalism, immigration and electoral reform in New Zealand. She has been a visiting fellow at various institutions including the University of Edinburgh and Université Québec à Montréal.
Profile Image of Ray Willett
Ray Willett View biography
Fiordland local, Ray Willett, will delight and enthuse with his tales of adventure and discovery on the Milford Track, known by many as the “finest walk in the world.” Since the 1950s, Ray has been leading adventurers along this noted path which makes its way through Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, to Sutherland Falls, and along the Clinton River. In 2013, Ray trekked the entire length of the Milford Track in celebration of its 125th anniversary.
Profile Image of John Hellstrom
John Hellstrom View biography
Dr. John Hellstrom founded biosecurity in New Zealand, developed new systems for protecting native plants and agriculture from pests and disease, and established new standards for animal welfare. His proudest moment, however, was getting a native parrot on the cover of the biosecurity strategy booklet. John was previously Chief Veterinary officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. He was recently made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours list.
Profile Image of Athol Parks
Athol Parks View biography
Athol Parks is a Dunedin-based writer who leads city walks in Dunedin. The walks showcase the city's history, architecture and urban renewal. His business, City Walks, was established in 2006. Formerly a sub-editor with The Southland Times Ltd., he has done freelance work and contributed notes to the Book Discussion Scheme. Athol is writing short fiction now, with the aim of finishing something and getting published.
Profile Image of Quentin Mitchell
Quentin Mitchell View biography
Quentin Mitchell is a qualified instructor in the outdoors with experience in the UK and New Zealand. He has worked at Outward Bound in New Zealand and continues to work in the area of youth development with the Spirit of New Zealand Trust. In retirement, he works part-time leading boating excursions. Quentin enjoys the outdoors, in particular, sailing, diving and skiing. He swims regularly and enjoys gardening and reading for relaxation. Both he and his wife, Rae, travel extensively.
Profile Image of Rae Mitchell
Rae Mitchell View biography
Rae Mitchell grew up farming before her love of nature and the outdoors led her into tramping and alpine climbing around New Zealand. After university, she headed overseas focused on exploring the mountains of the world. She worked as an outdoor instructor while overseas, coming back to New Zealand eight years later to marry and raise a family. She is retired but is still tramping regularly, is a Search and Rescue member, does voluntary work for Department of Conservation and travels with her husband, Quentin.
Profile Image of Russell Davie
Russell Davie View biography
Russell Davie is an ex-dairy farmer with a background in geology, geography, soil mineralogy and volcanology, with a particular interest in the Fiordland area, in and around Te Anau, where he now lives and the lake, which bears the same name.
Profile Image of Annie Telford
Annie Telford View biography
Annie Telford’s passion for sport and the outdoors has been hugely influential in her life and friendships. She completed a Bachelor of Leisure Studies degree and has had varied careers as a science technician, adventure tourism tutor, school sports administrator, new home consultant, and realtor. These have been balanced with travel, sport, and outdoor activities: namely squash, running, biking, kayaking, and tramping. Annie and her husband Bruce have a home in stunning Golden Bay but have chosen to semi-retire and live a nomadic lifestyle.
Profile Image of Pam Wood
Pam Wood has spent many years in Europe, travelling, having adventures, tramping in the French Pyrenees, and working in London as a housing officer for a local council’s social housing program. Since returning to New Zealand with her two children in 2006, she has been working in a beautiful small town as an administrator in an early childhood kindergarten and as a property manager for a number of holiday homes. Pam enjoys the great outdoors, tramping in national parks, biking, reading, and playing the ukulele.
Profile Image of Christopher Stewart
Christopher Stewart View biography
Chris Stewart was a Parks and Reserves Ranger for 40 years, working in Mt Cook and Arthur’s Pass National Parks, Dunedin Reserves, and in the South Island High Country. He is now retired but still lives in Arthur’s Pass. Chris is a trail runner and hiker, and is still involved in predator trapping and other conservation activities. He is also a community volunteer being involved in the local fire brigade and civil defense teams, along with chairing the local Residents’ Association.
Profile Image of Deborah Stewart
Deborah Stewart View biography
Deb Stewart is a homemaker who has worked in areas of hospitality, administration, and customer service when it has fitted into family life. She resides in Arthur’s Pass, an Alpine village in a national park, and she is involved with civil defense and community center committees. Deb loves everything associated with home, hiking, and nature, which is enhanced when she can take Mac, her West Highland Terrier, along with her and her husband, Chris.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand
by Hugh Robertson & Barrie Heather
The revised compact edition of the classic field guide, featuring 74 color plates by Derek Onley. (Item no. NZL05)
An Angel at My Table (video)
by Janet Frame (Jane Campion)
An Angel at My Table is a 1990 New Zealand-Australian-British film directed by Jane Campion. The film is based on Janet Frame's three autobiographies, To the Is-Land (1982), An Angel at My Table (1984), and The Envoy from Mirror City (1984). An Angel at My Table is a dramatisation of the autobiographies of New Zealand author Janet Frame. Originally produced as a television miniseries, the film, as with Frame's autobiographies, is divided into three sections, with the lead role played by three different actresses who portray Frame at different stages of her life: Karen Fergusson (child), Alexia Keogh (adolescent) and Kerry Fox (adult).
The Piano (1993) Video
by Jane Campion
121 min - Drama | Romance - 12 November 1993 (USA) 7.5 Your rating: -/10 Ratings: 7.5/10 from 36,516 users Metascore: 89/100 Reviews: 215 user | 66 critic | 20 from Metacritic.com A mute woman along with her young daughter, and her prized piano, are sent to 1850s New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner, and she's soon lusted after by a local worker on the plantation. Director: Jane Campion Writer: Jane Campion Stars: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill
The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Geology An introduction to rocks, minerals & fossils
by Jocelyn Thornton
This is the first field guide written for the general public and beginners in geology in New Zealand. Now fully revised and updated, it shows travellers in New Zealand something of the tremendous variety of our rocks, minerals and fossils and describes what to look for in many areas where rock formations are prominent. It covers the history of New Zealand from it's beginnings on the sea floor some 600 million years ago to it's present patchwork landscape of volcano, range and plain. The land was formed from many different layers of rock- volcanic flows, forest debris, ocean mud. All these have special characteristics, which are explained and illustrated to enable readers to find the layers and understand their origins and what they can tell us about the landscape of the past. The crystals that grew in the rocks and the remains of living creatures that were preserved are also illustrated and described. Written in simplified terms, it includes an introductory chapter on general geology, a geological time chart and quick reference maps of the North Island and the South Island for travellers.
Boy (2010 film)
by Taika Waititi
Boy (2010 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy(2010 film) It is out on DVD Waititi wanted to shoot the film where he grew up in Waihau Bay. It was a summer film but impossible to shoot in the height of summer due to the popularity of the area as a fishing and holiday destination. The film features the maize fields and the maize is harvested from late April. Boy was shot entirely in the area of Waihau Bay, New Zealand. James Rolleston was never actually intended to play the lead role of "Boy". Rolleston originally turned up on set for a costume fitting as an extra and after short deliberation the teen was offered the role.
Slipping Into Paradise, Why I Live in New Zealand
by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
2004, PAPER, 304 PAGES, $14.95 In this far-ranging travelogue, Masson (who wrote a series of books on the emotional lives of animals) combines his travels and tales with history, riffs on the kiwis, nature and society. (Item no. NZL69)
Once Were Warriors Video/CD
by Alan Duff
Once Were Warriors (film) Country New Zealand Language English (99 mins) Maori Once Were Warriors is a 1994 film based on New Zealand author Alan Duff's bestselling 1990 first novel. The film tells the story of an urban Māori family, the Hekes, and their problems with poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, mostly brought on by family patriarch Jake. It was directed by Lee Tamahori, and stars Rena Owen and Temuera Morrison.
The Penguin History of New Zealand
by Michael King
The Narrative that emerges is an exclusive one about men and women, Maori and Pakeha. It shows that The British motives in colonizing New Zealand were essentially humane.....
Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance
by Lloyd Jones
2008, PAPER, 276 PAGES, $12.00 Dancing between New Zealand and Buenos Aires and ranging over decades, tango is the leitmotif of this earlier novel by Lloyd Jones, published here for the first time, author of Mister Pip. Like Mr. Pip, this compact, seductive novel concerns the power of storytelling. (Item no. NZL101)
The Whale Rider
by Witi Ihimaera,
The Whale Rider (1987) was written in New York and Cape Cod in the space of three weeks. A magical, mythical work about a young girl whose relationship with a whale ensures the salvation of her village, it is, says Ihimaera, the work of his ‘that the Maori community accepts best’
The Luminaries
by Eleanor Catton
The Luminaries is the second novel by Eleanor Catton, published by Victoria University Press in August 2013 and Granta on 5 September 2013. On 15 October it was announced as the winner of the 2013 Man Booker Prize. It is the longest book (at 832 pages), and she the youngest author (at age 28), ever to win the award. The book was described as "a dazzling feat of a novel" by The Observer.





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