Join the bird bonanza on Kapiti Island
It’s not easy to spot wild kiwi. Stewart Island is your best bet but, if you’re not heading that way, Kapiti Island – a nature sanctuary and marine reserve accessible from Wellington – is a good option. Visitor numbers are limited, giving Kapiti an exclusive feel. With a local guide, learn about the Maori, who’ve inhabited this island for centuries; kayak and snorkel the protected waters; and stay overnight in a safari tent, cabin or classic ‘bach’ bungalow for the chance to see endemic birdlife including bellbirds, takahe, parakeets, weka and, perhaps, little spotted kiwi.
A 21-night Wildlife Encounters self-drive with Discover the World (01737 214250; discover-the-world.com), visiting Kapiti, costs from £4,459pp excluding flights.
Pacific pleasures
New Zealand is a really long way to go. So make the most of all that travel by contrasting the country with the equally far-flung South Pacific. After hopping around the Bay of Islands, raising a glass or three of Hawke’s Bay’s finest and going full-throttle in adventure capital Queenstown (try mountain biking, rafting and kayaking), jet to Laucala, a private Fijian island retreat where villas sit amid lush mountains, white sand and coconut palms, and the diving and snorkelling is out of this world.
A 14-night Ultimate New Zealand and Fiji tailor-made trip with Abercrombie & Kent (01242 547760; abercrombiekent.co.uk) costs from £20,795pp including flights.
How to get there
Virgin Atlantic (0344 874 7747; virginatlantic.com) fly to Auckland from London via San Francisco from £981 return.
Air New Zealand (0800 028 4149; airnewzealand.co.uk) fly to Auckland from London via Singapore from £1,113 return.
Covid rules
Fully vaccinated adults and children under 17 will be able to visit from 23:59 on May 1 without needing to isolate on arrival. However, they will be required to take three Covid tests: one before departure (PCR, LAMP or rapid antigen), another rapid antigen test on arrival, and a third on day five or six.
More information here.
