I was a part of the PREMIUM NEW ZEALAND GUIDED TOUR- SOUTHERN PIONEER from December 23, 2022 to Jan 1 2023, paying $NZ 3,599.

Advertised as being “created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards”, it was stated that “the biggest difference on a Haka Plus New Zealand small group tour is the style of accommodation. You’ll stay in trendy hotels, boutique motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats - no backpackers and no dorm rooms".

Unfortunately, this certainly was not the case. We were to be provided “A Night of Glamping Under Southern Stars: Luxury camping experience on a historic farm surrounded by breathtaking scenery and enjoying high country hospitality.

The alternative accommodation provided was completely unacceptable. Instead of twin share accommodation in a comfortable, hygienic setting with a private bathroom, we were presented with a rooms in the YHA Backpackers hostel with unclean shared bathrooms- toothpaste had been left in the sink; odorous dorm rooms with old and worn furnishings, and wifi unavailable in the rooms. Feeling unsafe being in this unhygienic Backpackers accommodation setting with no privacy or cleanliness, we paid $450 out of our own pocket for these two nights for accommodation in Wanaka of the standard that was promised- NOT BACKPACKERS & DORM ROOMS- as stated on the website regarding Haka Plus Tours. We were promised Twin-share hotel style accommodation and this was not provided at Wanaka.

I was very disappointed by the standard of care, consideration and planning that were shown as part of this Haka Plus Tour of New Zealand and would not recommend using this company.

Reviewed over 3 years ago