New Zealand History Tours: Our Top 6

1.Auckland: All Blacks Experience Guided Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 453 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41Our pick

Join an English-speaking guide for a 45-minute journey through seven interactive rooms covering All Blacks history, Māori and Pasifika culture, and Kiwi values. Walk the player tunnel, face a powerful Haka, try rugby skills, and browse Auckland’s largest All Blacks store. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours overall.

“Our guide Alex was brilliant and told us lots of interesting facts with some good humour added in for an international crowd. The tour included interactive elements which were fun for all too.”

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2.All Blacks Experience: Interactive Guided Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 228 reviews · from $42

Spend about 90 minutes exploring All Blacks and Black Ferns rugby, Māori culture, and New Zealand identity with a guide such as Sam, Tanya, Ben, or Reuben. Walk through a replica changing room, face a powerful haka, try hands-on rugby challenges, and finish in Auckland’s official All Blacks store.

“Amazing show of culture, sport and integrity. The tour had everything. The tour guide Samual was very knowledgeable and informative. The history to modern day was all covered in a very interactive way. I will go to all Blacks game when they play in the US.”

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3.Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 205 reviews · from $16Top rated

Explore Olveston Historic Home with a guide in a small group of up to 15. Hear the Theomin family story inside a 35-room Jacobean mansion, see original furnishings, Japanese ceramics, Italian paintings, and a 1922 Fiat, then stroll the one-acre gardens at your own pace.

“The information provided by the tour guide was information, interesting and humorous. A perfect snapshot into how people lived in the early 1900’s.”

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4.Auckland: Inner-City Glowworm Experience in Ancient Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 109 reviews · 1 hour · from $35

Meet your English-speaking guide at Wintergarden Cafe for a one-hour, 1.3-kilometre walk through Auckland Domain. Follow dark volcanic terrain to streams, a waterfall, and glowworms in open bush. Guides such as Marius, Millie, Caleb, and Jonti add natural-history context. Bring sturdy shoes and a camera, but leave flash photography off.

“Really enjoyed this tour. Our guide Legend was awesome, and knew alot about the glowworms. The bush glowworms themselves were spectacular and was glad I could see them without having to travel to far.”

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5.Evening Champagne Cruise on Historic 1935 Motor Yacht.

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 1h 30m · from $86

Step aboard Faith, a beautifully preserved 1935 Scottish motor yacht, at Te Anau’s historic wharf. Captain Adam and the crew take you across the lake for 90 minutes of stories, champagne, canapés, and calm scenery. You may help steer or raise the sails before anchoring in a sheltered cove.

“Absolutely the best thing we did in New Zealand! The boat has an amazing history and is beautiful. It’s family owned and operated and it’s such a treat to hear their stories about how the boat came from the UK to Te Anu. We motored and sailed around the lake, had drinks and canapés. We highly recommend the sunset cruise. Don’t miss it!”

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6.Blenheim: Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 31 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

At Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, you can choose the WWI Knights of the Sky exhibition, the WWII Dangerous Skies exhibition, or both. See Sir Peter Jackson’s aircraft collection, Wētā Workshop figures, a De Havilland Mosquito, and a Griffon-powered Spitfire. Allow a full day if you want to take your time.

“An amazing collection of aircraft and their history as well as war time memorabilia and stories run by passionate men who know their stuff.”

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