Art, Culture and History Tours in New Zealand made for you
Delve into New Zealand culture on a bespoke tour designed just for you
Explore a captivating cultural and historic landscape with New Zealand art and history tours
Māori heritage and contemporary multiculturalism combine to create the distinct Aotearoa, or New Zealand, cultural identity. And of course, the islands’ isolation and unique natural landscape plays a huge part, too.
In the North Island, you can come to understand the Māori connection to Rotorua, particularly at Te Puia Rotorua, home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute; visit Napier in Hawke’s Bay where the devastating 1931 earthquake led to one of the world’s finest collections of Art Deco buildings being built; and explore cultural capital Wellington for museums, galleries, theatres – and excellent coffee. The city’s thriving film industry, including Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop, offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into movie magic that has brought Middle-earth to life.
Guided visits to Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington and Auckland Museum will be highlights of your stay in the North Island, and so too will be listening to stories of Māori ancestors at carved marae (meeting houses), sharing a hangi cooked in the steaming ground, or hiking to the summit of Mount Tarawera volcano with a guide from the Ngati Rangitihi tribe.
In the less inhabited South Island you can learn about gold rush heritage around Queenstown, see Victorian architecture in Dunedin and Christchurch, and the dramatic alpine landscapes that have inspired countless artists. Following the devastating 2011 earthquakes, Christchurch has experienced a creative renaissance, with an exciting, experimental approach to urban regeneration.
Our expert travel designers will plan you a seamless Aotearoa New Zealand culture tour – personalised to your tastes and preferences.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our specialists
Hike the Tongariro Crossing
Trek across the volcanic alpine landscape Tongariro Alpine Crossing near Taupo, filming location for The Lord of the Ring’s Mordor
Tour Weta Studios
Take a Weta Studios tour in Wellington to see props, weapons and armour crafted for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia, and more
Visit a MÄ
Drive from Rotorua to Whakatane to visit a MÄ
Taste a traditional hÄ
Sample a traditional hangi feast, cooked in the steaming ground in Rotorua
Pair art with wine around Queenstown
Discover art and vineyards – and art in vineyards – around Queenstown.
A word from one of our experts
Māori have a deep connection to the land and your journey through Aotearoa New Zealand will be profoundly influenced by Māori language (Te Reo Māori), customs (tikanga), traditional arts like carving and weaving, spiritual beliefs, storytelling and the performing arts of haka and waiata (songs). A cultural tour that is led by expert guides from one of the many Aotearoa New Zealand Māori communities will be a unique, powerful and moving experience.
Rachel O Leary
Luxury accommodation in New Zealand
There are many incredible places to stay in New Zealand. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
-
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
-
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
-
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our New Zealand example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Art and Culture in New Zealand
Seek out artistic inspiration and uncover the Māori heritage on a journey of cultural immersion that takes you to some of New Zealand's most magnificent region…
Explore trip
Luxury relaxation and Adventure in Bora Bora and New Zealand
This 14-night New Zealand and Bora Bora itinerary balances adventure with relaxation. Begin with the sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons of tropical Bora Bora…
Explore trip
An Epic Family Adventure in New Zealand
With bubbling mud pools, beautiful islands, wonderful wildlife and adrenaline-pumping activities, New Zealand is the perfect setting for an unforgettable famil…
Explore trip
Ultimate New Zealand
Spend two weeks experiencing the best New Zealand has to offer, from incredible scenery and lush winelands, to astounding stargazing, quaint village life, luxu…
Explore trip
Essential New Zealand
A wonderful introduction to New Zealand, this 15-day luxury trip takes in both New Zealand’s North and South Islands, passing through epic landscapes, friendly…
Explore trip
A Grand tour of Australia and New Zealand
Explore the best of Australia and New Zealand, from the unbeatable Whitsundays to the awe-inspiring mountains of Milford Sound and beyond, on an epic 25-day ad…
Explore tripWhere to go
-
Australia
Encompassing gleaming coastal cities and the oldest continuous culture on earth, famous beaches, iconic endemic wildlife with a vast landsc…
Read more
-
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea sits just a few thousand kilometres from the northern tip of Australia, but those that venture that little bit further wil…
Read more
Meet your Australasia team
-
Cathy Jocubeit
Senior Concierge – Asia Pacific
-
David D Arcy
Senior Travel Designer
-
Ellie Khoury
Senior Travel Designer
-
Georgina Bainbridge
Travel Designer
-
Gilda Tang
Client Experience Manager for Asia Pacific
-
Gita Widyasari
Asia Pacific Concierge
-
Jessica Wijesinghe
Senior Asia Pacific Concierge
-
Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
-
Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
-
Leanne Anglo
Travel Designer
-
Lucy Clarke
Travel Designer
-
Rachel O Leary
Senior Travel Designer
-
Rachel Rose
Travel Designer
-
Rahma Adiningtyas
Asia Pacific Concierge
-
Rosanna Convey
Travel Designer
-
Taylor Williamson
Travel Designer
-
Yvonne Green
Travel Designer
When to visit
The best time to visit New Zealand for art, culture and history tours is during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). During these ‘shoulder seasons’ the weather is still warm, not too hot, and excursions and explorations are a little more peaceful. Summer is beautiful though – days are dry and warm, often exceeding 25°C (77°F), and there’s over 15 hours of glorious daylight. Some of the biggest festivals include the biennial Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, usually February to March; Napier’s Art Deco weekend, usually in February; Matariki (Māori New Year), from late May to early July; and WOW (World of Wearable Art), from September to October.
Waitangi Day
6th February
Autumn colours
March–May
Wine tasting
March–April
When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?
Read more
New Zealand Travel Guides
The Top 9 Wildlife Experiences in New Zealand
Splashing dolphins, tiny kiwis, soaring mountain parrots and masses of other beautiful wildlife to discover in New Zealand
Read more
The Best Adventure Experiences in New Zealand
We're sharing some of our favourite ways to experience adventure travel in New Zealand. Hike through dramatic mountain landscapes, go white water rafting and s…
Read more
The Definitive Luxury New Zealand Family Guide
Explore spectacular natural scenery, learn about Māori culture, spot one-of-a-kind wildlife and stay at secluded hotels on an adventurous family journey throug…
Read more
Don't take our word for it
“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”
We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…
“heavenly honeymoon”
My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…
“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”
We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…
“Communication and organization were…”
Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!
“Iceland 8 Days”
We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.