The Chatham Islands – where the sun first rises over New Zealand
We invite you to join us to explore Chatham Island. Not only the highlights but also to the remote corners to discover many of the unique bird flora and fauna that call the Chatham Islands home (many are endangered).
Our hassle free package includes daily guided touring enriched by the knowledge and experience of our local guide. You also get the chance to meet the friendly locals and visit unique historical and geographical sites.
The Chatham Islands are the first place in New Zealand to welcome in the new day, and a treasure trove of endemic species that have evolved in isolation and who make these islands one of our most biologically important regions.
Originally colonized by Moriori people who created a unique lifestyle and society on the islands while living in isolation from the outside world on the abundant natural resources of the sea and land. Later European and Maori arrivals brought their own history and traditions which have melded together to create the culture of the Chatham Islands.
Welcome to the Chatham Islands – there’s a photo opportunity around every corner.
Dependent upon the season you will find the famous native Chatham Island forget-me-nots may be in bloom – a much more robust cousin of the common garden variety and these hardy specimens grow wild.
We give you to access the highlights of the Chathams often restricted as they’re only accessible through private lands.
The Tour Company have been operating tours to the Chatham Islands for over 20 years.
Tour Highlights
Tommy Solomon Memorial Statue
Basalt Columns
Historic Stone Cottage
Splatter Rock
Seal Colony
Moriori Tree and Rock Carvings
Kopinga Marae
Admiral Farm and Gardens
Moriori, Māori and European history and culture
Geology
Unique island flora and fauna
Includes:
Touring (as per itinerary)
Meet and greet
Local guide
Transfers on the island
Share twin accommodation with ensuite bathrooms
Attractions (as per final itinerary)
Special Welcome and Farewell dinners
Other meals (as per final itinerary)
Excludes:
Optional refreshments
Airfares
Other items not specifically stated as included on the final itinerary
N.B: While every effort is made to provide the tour as advised, the inclusions, order of visiting and access are subject to availability and weather, minimum/maximum numbers, client timeliness or other conditions outside of our control may affect the final tour program.
“The tour was great. Its fabulous learning the history and culture of this remote part of New Zealand. We also enjoyed the amazing local food and hospitality.” Shirley
“Every Kiwi must visit here! We covered all the must do places on Chatham Island and had a great time. One of most memorable tours we’ve done.” Andy & Chris
Seafood bounty
Hunting, diving and fishing are massive drawcards out here. The crays are on steroids, as are the kina and paua. There are no supermarkets. The sea is their larder.
Our guide points to some of the many kina and paua gripping to the rocks as the tide starts to come in. She collects a feed and makes the point that even though there’s an abundance of kaimoana on these shores, just taking what you need for a feed is the best way to sustain the food source for future generations.
We head back before she cooks the paua up with onions, butter and cream over a fire as the sun dips.
Spiritual home
The next day we take a trip up to the north east of the island around the lagoon to the Rākau momori – a stand of 600 year-old kopi trees with unique Moriori carvings etched into them. There were more than 1,000 trees etched with stylised human figures but tree rot and various other factors have dwindled these down to about 130.
Relics of Moriori are sometimes still found on the island. After the 1835 invasion by displaced Taranaki iwi Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Tama the peaceful Moriori were decimated. Their numbers declined from around 2000 to just over 100 by 1862.
Itinerary
THE FOLLOWING ITINERARY IS A PROGRAM WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN MANY TIMES HOWEVER THE ORDER OF VISITS OR AVAILABILITY AT TIME OF INTENDED VISIT IS LIKELY TO VARY.
WHILE EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO COVER HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CHATHAM ISLAND VISIT, THIS ITINERARY IS CONDITIONAL UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND IS DEPENDENT UPON MINIMUM NUMBERS, WEATHER, CLIENT TIMELENESS AND MOBILITY, ACCESS AND AVAILABILITY.
Day 1 – Welcome to the Chatham Islands
- Arrive in the Chathams where you are met on arrival and transferred to Waitangi Township
-
Quick stop to the Bluffs to take photographs
-
Arrive and you are directed to your accommodation
-
Crayfish welcome dinner (subject to availability)
Day 2 – The Wild West
- Breakfast
- Stone Cottage
- Waitangi West cattle station
- Picnic lunch
- Splatter Rock / Cape Young
- Dinner at Hotel
Day 3 – Fishing (optional) – Owenga Fishing Village
- Breakfast
- Moriori Marae
-
Owenga Club community lunch
-
Fish factory tour
- Visit to Toni’s Chatham Island Honey Centre
- Dinner at Hotel
Day 4 – Pitt Island (optional) Waitangi town / South Coast
- Breakfast
- Museum Visit
- Tiki Tiki hill & town walk
- Cottage Gift Shop
- River Onion Art Gallery lunch
- South Coast scenic drive
-
Local jewellery art studio
- Dinner at Hotel
Day 5 – Kaingaroa Fishing Village
- Breakfast
- Nikau Bush Walk
- Ocean mail reserve
- Picnic lunch
- Muirson’s Farm & Seal Colony
- Hapupu (Tree carvings)
-
Kaingaroa Social Club buffet dinner
Day 6 – Te Whanga Lagoon
- Breakfast
-
Nunuku’s Cave (Rock Carvings)
- Te Matarae
- Picnic lunch
- Shark teeth hunting
- Henga Scenic Reserve
- Dinner at Hotel
Day 7 – Port Hutt
-
Breakfast
-
Basalt Columns
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Port Hutt
-
Picnic Lunch
-
Long beach walk
-
Admiral Gardens buffet dinner
Day 8 – Port Hutt
-
Breakfast
-
Bus departs at 8.30 am for the airport
Tour dates:
14th November 2026
Pricing:
$4,495.
Price for our Chatham Island Tour includes transfers on the island, accommodation, meals (as per itinerary), touring transportation and guide. Airfare (ex Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch) is additional..
