Auckland Town Hall

So much was memorable about this tour. It was something my sister and I booked last minute as part of our world cup trip and it ended up being one of the most memorable things about our trip. If nothing else, you get a good first look and impression of Auckland. As our guide Liz (who also happens to be the founder of the tour guide company) told us at the end of the tour, you feel more confident when navigating Auckland. That couldn’t have been more true for the remainder of our stay. It’s the little things that help make your trip more enjoyable. Liz also had a way of welcoming you to her country that was both inviting and sincere. I also really respected and appreciated her sharing her cultural experiences as a 4th generation Kiwi as well as her vast knowledge of the local Māori culture and language. From the first minute when she opted to greet us by having us stand a little closer together (but not close) stating she wasn’t going to yell at us for the duration of the tour since it wasn’t the New Zealand way to be overly loud (and carry a blow horn for tours), I knew I would enjoy the smaller group setting and more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Definitely more inviting and no one ever had an issue hearing her (and yet she nonetheless made an effort to regularly confirm we could all hear). Just goes to show how well thought out her this tour was and how mindful she is in wanting us to have a nice, memorable time. She could have easily overpacked the amount of people included in her tour but that wasn’t her way, which made for a gold standard in my book. The tour itself is a walking tour, but not overly strenuous. It is also off the beaten pass which is the best part. All the little known local secrets (but also while still getting to see the main sights along the way). She even provides an amazingly thoughtful guide with a little map as well recommendations on things to eat, places to go, etc. We definitely made sure to try the entire list of “what the locals eat,” before we headed home. I also want to add that while there really aren’t very many Māori cultural experiences in Auckland and while Liz doesn’t advertise this tour as such, she nonetheless strikes a good balance of weaving together the present as well both Auckland and Māori history. It presented a more complete picture of how Auckland became what it is today and even where it’s going. Again, just made for a very well-rounded experience. And yes, there were lovely treats to try along the way (all included as part of the fee). If I make another visit to NZ, I will definitely make sure to check out one of her other tours as I’m sure they are all just as lovely. You can’t beat someone who not only knows the area, but who also loves and respects the city so much that she is willing to share its beauty and secrets with others. Thank you Liz, even when we ran into my parents (who were not part of the tour) and you so generously offered to let them tag along.