✨ Mānawatia a Matariki – the stars are rising ✨
As Matariki appears in our winter skies, we pause to reflect, cherish the present, honour those who came before us, and look ahead to the new year.
This special time in te ao Māori reminds us of the importance of connection – to our land, our people, and the rhythm of the seasons. Each star in the Matariki cluster carries its own meaning, offering guidance in areas like well-being, nourishment, and our relationship with the natural world.
It’s also a time for sharing kai, stories, and laughter with the ones we love.
Whether you're gathering around a table, heading out on an adventure, or simply taking a moment to breathe – we hope your Matariki is filled with warmth, aroha and intention.
Ngā mihi o te tau hou Māori – Happy Māori New Year 💫
#NZMatariki #Matariki #Maorinewyear #matestravel #Matestravelnz #NZtravel #HawkesbayTours #travelNZ #maoriculture #maorinewyear
Why Napier Should Be on Your NZ Bucket List ✨
Welcome to Napier, the coastal city where vintage glamour meets relaxed seaside charm. Known as the Art Deco capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Napier is bursting with character — think bold 1930s architecture, sun-drenched streets, boutique shops, and an easygoing vibe that makes you want to slow down and take it all in. 🌞🌊
At Mates Travel, we love sharing this special part of Hawke’s Bay with visitors. Our tours often take you through Napier for a scenic drive with local guide commentary, stunning viewpoints, and stories that bring the city’s unique history to life.
💡 Want something tailored? We’re locals — so just let us know what you’re into, and we’ll help craft a Napier experience just for you.
📍Napier, Hawke’s Bay
🚐 Scenic routes + local stories
🍸 Book our Deco & Distillery Tour for a scenic drive through Napier with a visit to the National Distillery for a guided tour and Gin Tastings!
🗺 Custom tours available on request
👉 Explore Napier with us — DM us to chat!
#MatesTravelNZ #NapierNZ #ArtDecoCity #HawkesBayAdventures #SeeNZDifferently #SupportLocal #SmallGroupToursNZ #ExploreNapier
Ever wondered what happens when handcrafted sheep cheese meets fine wine? 🐑🍷
Our Pinot & Pecorino Tour is a one-of-a-kind Hawke’s Bay experience that puts artisan sheep cheese in the spotlight — from paddock to plate.
Travel through the scenic Tuki Tuki Valley to meet the makers behind Craggy Range Sheep dairy, where former corporate execs have turned their passion into producing some of New Zealand’s finest Sheep cheese. Step into the milking shed, learn how the cheese is made and aged, and hear the incredible story behind it all.
We round out the day with a guided cheese and wine pairing at the homestead, led by the owners, overlooking the breathtaking back face of Te Mata Peak — a flavour-filled experience of local excellence and stunning scenery.
It’s local, it’s unique, it's authentic. It's the Mates Travel way.
🐑 🍷To book this experience. Head to the link in our BIO or DM us today.
#MatesTravel #Hawkesbaytours #VisitHawkesBay #Cheeseandwinetour #AuthenicNZTours #VisitNewzealand
Wine and cheese, yay! 🍷🐑🧀 Such a cool tour!
🌿 Discover Hawke’s Bay, the Mates Travel way.
Here, it’s about more than just ticking off the sights.
Here, it’s about sipping wine where it’s made, hearing the stories that shaped the land, and meeting the people behind the produce. It’s about taking the scenic route, stopping for the view, and sharing real moments with good company.
At Mates Travel, we don’t just take you there—we connect you to it.
Join one of our small group tours and experience Hawke’s Bay through local eyes.
✨ Authentic. Relaxed. Unforgettable.
🚌 #ThisIsHawkesBay #MatesTravelNZ #SlowTravelNZ #NZMustDo
Beautiful Sunny Hawke's Bay 🌞
✨ Step into the Glamour of Napier’s Art Deco Era… with a Twist! 🍸
Our Deco & Distillery Tour is where timeless elegance meets modern craft. Wander through the stunning Art Deco architecture of the iconic Old National Tobacco Company Building, then take a seat at the National Distillery for a tasting of award-winning gin made right here in Napier.
You’ll learn about the fascinating history of the building, the secrets of the distilling process, and taste the spirits that are putting Hawke’s Bay on the craft gin map.
Whether you're an architecture lover, a gin enthusiast, or just after a unique Napier experience, this tour is not to be missed.
👉 Book now and discover where deco design and distilling excellence collide.
🤔Questions? Pop them in the comments
🍸 Click on link in BIO or DM us to book
#HawkesBay #NapierNZ #ArtDecoNapier #GinLovers #NZDistillery #NapierTour #MatesTravel
Come along for our Deco & Distillery Tour! Perfect for those rainy Autumn or cold winter days! Comment, DM, or visit our website to book your tour today :)
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Where the vines meet the mountain, and the wine flows just as smoothly as the Tukituki River… 🍷⛰️
Can you name this iconic Hawke’s Bay gem?
#MatesTravel #HawkesBayWine #Guessthelocation #NewZealandWine #WineandViews #HawkesBayWineTours
🍷🥂🌄⛰️
If you’re looking to connect with the real Hawke’s Bay—its people, its past, and its powerful stories—then our Te Matau a Māui, Napier Māori History Tour is not to be missed. This is a NEW TOUR which we are very excited to offer.
The tour is led by our incredible guide Piri, a proud descendant of Ngāti Kahungunu and one of the region’s most respected Māori historians and storytellers. This tour is your gateway into the living history of Napier and beyond.
Walk in the footsteps of ancestors, hear the story of the Battle of Ōmarunui, and stand where warriors once defended their whenua. Visit Kohupātiki Marae, nestled beside the peaceful Ngaruroro River, and explore Hawke’s Bay’s largest Māori Pā site. 🪶
You’ll learn how Māori navigated from Hawaiki using the stars, uncover the legends of Pania of the Reef and Te Mata Peak, and gain a true understanding of the spiritual and cultural identity of the land we call home. 🌿
This is a tour filled with connection, insight, and aroha — and a few laughs too. Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, this experience will stay with you long after you leave.
☕ Includes tea, coffee and small-group travel.
📲 DM us to book.
📍 Limited spots — this exclusive tour isn’t even on our website yet!
#MatesTravelNZ #HawkesBayTours #NewZealandTours
#AuthenticNZ #MaoriCulture #MaoriCulturalTour #TravelWithPurpose
We are currently crafting some pretty exciting new 🍷 tours just for you! The creativity is flowing at the office, and we can't wait to show you what we have been working on! 🤩
Hawke's Bay is known for its great wine, vineyards and cellars, and for a while now we've wanted to create something really special and tailored to showcase what the Hawke's Bay region really has to offer when it comes to Wine. Hawke's Bay is very versatile, both when it comes to our different vineyards, cellars and the grapes used to produce world-class wine. We have found a way to give you the tailored, authentic wine tasting experience we know you want and need.
Our new Wine Tours will take you on a journey where we follow a theme. We will not only taste amazing wine but also quench our thirst when it comes to the knowledge of wine & wine making and the deep history and/or special traits of the cellars we visit.
This sure is something special, and as we are getting to the stage of finalising the last details, we are only getting more and more excited!
We will visit some of Hawke's Bay's best Cellars and learn from some of the best winemakers of the region, and we can't wait to get going!
Are you as excited as we are? Drop your favourite emoji in the comments and be the first to know once we release the New Wine Tours! 🍷
#MatesTravel #HawkesBayWineTour #HawkesBayWine #WineTourNZ #VisitHawkesBay #HawkesBayTours
We'll start 🥳🤩🐑🍇🍷🥂 Happy Friday everyone!
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🙋♀️🙉🍷
Meet Piri — Our Māori Storyteller & Guide 🪶
At Mates Travel, it’s not just about where you go — it’s who you go with. And there’s no better guide to lead you through the rich cultural heart of Hawke’s Bay than Piri.
A proud descendant of Ngāti Kahungunu, Piri is more than just a guide — he’s a living vessel of history, a passionate storyteller, and one of the region’s most respected Māori historians.
With warmth, humour, and deep ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, Piri brings to life the powerful stories of Ahuriri (Napier) and beyond. From the legendary Battle of Ōmarunui, to the love story of Pania of the Reef, to the towering presence of Te Mata Peak — he doesn’t just tell the stories, he connects you to them.
Whether you're Māori, Pākehā, or manuhiri (a visitor), Piri welcomes all with open arms, offering you a rare and respectful look into Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).
Want to travel with Piri?
Join our Te Matau a Māui, Napier Māori History Tour — DM us for bookings or head to the link in our bio.
#MatesTravelNZ
#HawkesBayTours
#AuthenticNZ
#NewZealandTours
#NewZealandculture
#culturetoursnz
#CustomNZTours
#SmallGroupTravel
#authenticnzexperience
#Maoriculture #MaoriCulturalTour
#Maorihistory
#TravelWithPurpose
#LocalGuidesNZ #EducationalTravel
Don't let the cold Autumn days scare you off! Our tours are running, and with a huge selection of award-winning vineyards and cellars to explore, as well as delicious food and wine, we promise to keep you warm. Hawke's Bay is known for its great wine and stunning Wineries. We know the spots and can't wait to take you with us!
Book in and tag along! Link in Bio or DM us 🍷🍷🍷
Cheers, Mates!
#matestravelnz
#hawkesbaytours
#nztravel
#newzealandtravel
#newzealandtours
#AuthenticNZ
#hawkesbaywine
#winetours
#hawkesbaywinetours
#customnztours
#smallgrouptravel
Wine Tours! Yes please 🥳🥳
Maah! Is anyone keen to hang out with some fluffy Goats? If that's a YES, then our most popular tour - The Tuki Tuki Farm Experience is just what you need!
On this tour, we will take you to the Tuki Tuki Dairy Goats where you will meet with the owners Sean and Lydia Baty and learn about their rural backgrounds, where your food comes from and how farmers are challenging the norm with innovative farming practices.
We will taste Goat milk & Goat Cheese. We will watch a Sheep shearing demonstration and a Kiwi working dog in action, and of course, cuddle with the goats and sheep living at the farm!
This is a farm experience like no other. Bring your kids, your mates or your grandma. This is a tour for everyone to enjoy!
Reach out to us today to book your farm experience or check out our website (Link in Bio) to learn more and book.
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Farm Tour is not your buzz? Good as Goat! We have other tours that might suit you better (like those including wine, for example)! Head over to our website (Link in bio) to see our offerings or send us a DM.
#matestravelnz #HawkesBayNZ
#HawkesBayExperiences
#newzealandtours
#farmexperience
#DairyGoatsNZ
#meetthegoats
#FarmTourNZ
#HawkesBayTours
YES, we can take you here! The stunning Te Mata Peak is just at our doorstep! Choose one of our existing tours and add a trip to the top! Or why not create your own? We want to help you create the tour of your dreams. Te Mata Peak is just one epic location that Hawke's Bay has to offer. Let your imagination fly and chat to us to make it a reality.
Check out our link in Bio for tour offerings or reach out today to create your own.
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#hawkesbaytours
#AuthenticNZ
#newzealandtours
#newzealandtravel
#guidedtoursnz
#customnztours
#smallgrouptravel
#authenticnzexperience
#tematapeak
#tematapeaknz
#tematapeaklookout
#tematapeakhawkesbay
Mates Travel is where all of your tour dreams become reality! Here you will experience beautiful Hawke's Bay like a local. Our authentic, small-group styled tours ensure you stay close and personal. They are educational and fun, and most importantly, based on a true connection between you, your guide, the land, the animals and all the beauty Hawke's Bay and New Zealand have to offer.
Choose from our Tuki Tuki Farm Tour, our Pinot & Pecorino Tour, our Deco & Distillery Tour, or why not bring your mates for an epic Wine Tour.
Remember, you don't have to stick to the script! We can tailor the tour to fit you!
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Newly created is our Te Matau a Maui, Napier Maori Tour, it's so exclusive it's not even on the website yet! To get a sneak peek of this tour and to book, send us a message or stay tuned as more information is to come.
Have a tour dream that is currently not offered? We'll do our best to make it happen! Head over to our website (Link in BIO) and create your dream tour with us.
Psst... If you need transport, we do that too! Just reach out and let us know what you need, and we'll make it happen! 🌞
See you in the Tour Bus!