With its picturesque mountains, meadows, and fjords, New Zealand, or Aotearoa ("the land of the long white cloud" in Maori) is an enchanting land that has remained isolated for millions of years, a fact reflected in the near-absence of native land mammals and in the ancient derivation of its avifauna. This is the home of such primitive and endemic families of birds as the amazing kiwis, New Zealand wattlebirds, and the New Zealand wrens.
Our tour visits some of the wildest and loveliest parts of the islands, with an emphasis on the endemic landbirds, seabirds, and shorebirds. Although New Zealand supports relatively few species of landbirds, it boasts some forty-five endemics, some of which, such as saddlebacks, Kokako, and Stitchbird (itself a new family), are among the most endangered birds on Earth. It's also richly endowed with seabirds and is one of the cradles of seabird evolution. Boat trips off South and Stewart islands and visits to several coastal sites will allow us to experience close at hand the tremendous variety of marine birds and mammals of this region. The short sea-trip off Kaikoura is one of the best pelagics in the world, just minutes from shore.
Our travels will take us to many places of great scenic beauty on both North and South islands, from incredible glacier-ringed Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park to the deep-water upwellings off the seaward Kaikouras, the wild and remote Stewart Island, and the Northern Royal Albatross nesting colony at Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula.
Hauraki Gulf Pelagic Extension The short optional extension after the main tour includes an all-day pelagic on the Hauraki Gulf off the northeast coast of the North Island, with the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel as the main target.
Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.
ITINERARIES • TOUR STATUS • DETAILS • SPACE REQUESTS
ITINERARIES • We issue a separate itinerary for each year, typically at least 9 months before that year's first departure. Most itineraries don't vary much year to year, but there may be small or rarely more substantive changes. A sample previous-year itinerary is usually available even if the one for your chosen departure is not. We do not require any deposit for provisional bookings until the itinerary for the departure is ready.
DEPARTURES • We have 3 departures currently scheduled through 2025, with details including limits, guides, fees, and space available listed below.
2023
Nov 16 - Dec 4, 2023 Guided by: Dan Lane & local guide Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - This tour is provisionally full. However, we are awaiting deposits from some of those booked, so space may open up. Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: $8225 Deposit: $825 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO
2024
Nov 10-28, 2024 Guided by: Dan Lane & local guide Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - The itinerary has not been finalized for this tour. The trip has provisionally filled but, if you are interested, we can waitlist you for the trip. As we do not require deposits until the itinerary and price are finalized, we often have folks drop off a tour when the deposit is required, and so space opens up! Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2023=$8225 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO
2025
Nov 9-27, 2025 Guide: TBA Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - The itinerary has not been finalized for this tour. The trip has provisionally filled but, if you are interested, we can waitlist you for the trip. As we do not require deposits until the itinerary and price are finalized, we often have folks drop off a tour when the deposit is required, and so space opens up! Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2023=$8225 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO
ABOUT OUR TRIPLISTS • After every tour we issue an annotated triplist of the birds recorded on the trip, illustrated with wonderful images (and sometimes video clips) from the tour's participants and guides.
Enjoy looking through the 5 most recent Field Guides triplists for this tour linked below!