Busy wings, sweet rewards 🍯🐝
New Zealand’s bees create some of the purest, most sought-after honey in the world — from creamy clover to world-famous Mānuka; known for its rich flavour and incredible natural health benefits.
Our bees work year-round to craft liquid gold as unique as our landscapes. But their magic goes far beyond honey — these tiny pollinators are vital for our food supply, crops, and ecosystems.
Quite simply, we need them to survive.
On our Taste Hawke’s Bay Tour, you’ll meet the makers, taste an array of different honeys, and discover why our region’s flavours — and our bees — are so precious.
🐝 DM to book
#MatesTravel #TasteHawkesBay #NZHoney #ManukaHoney #HawkesBayFood #savethebees #matestravelNZ #aratakihoney
Amazing few days in Bay of Islands for the annual Tourism export council conference. First conference for me so great to meet some like minded people passionate about their region and proud to be kiwis.
Fantastic line up of speakers including mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, far north Mayor Moko Tepania and Bruce Cotterill.
Inspirational and so many key learnings.
Set on the coastal flats near Clive, Ātea a Rangi Star Compass stands within Waitangi Regional Park, just south of Napier. This stunning installation of 32 carved pou marks the rising and setting points of key celestial bodies, honoring Māori ancestral skill in star navigation.
It’s more than a work of art — it’s a cultural classroom, a living narrative of waka voyaging and mātauranga Māori, where stories of Tāwhirimātea, Māui, and the stars come alive.
On our Māori History Tour, we walk this compass with tāonga Māori storytellers, exploring how the sky charted journeys across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa and shaped our identity.
🌌 Discover celestial navigation. Connect with culture. Travel meaningfully.
#MatesTravel #MāoriTourNZ #ĀteaARangi #MātaurangaMāori #StarCompass #newzealandCulture #matestravelnz #nzculture #NZTravel #TravelNZ #AuthenticNZ #authentictravel #hawkesbaytours #discoverhawkesbay #guidedtoursnz #napier #māorinavigation #starnavigation #māoriculture #māoriculturetours
Step inside Smith & Sheth’s Heretaunga Studio — a space where fine wine, contemporary design, and immersive storytelling come together.
More than a cellar door, this beautifully curated studio invites guests to experience wine through sight, sound, and sensation. Every detail is intentional. Every pour, personal.
As part of our Urban Wine Tour, we are opening the doors for you to discover this hidden gem in the heart of Havelock North.
🍷 An unforgettable stop on a journey through Hawke’s Bay’s modern wine culture.
#SmithAndSheth #HeretaungaStudio #UrbanWineTour #MatesTravel #HawkesBayWine #LuxuryNZ #DesignMeetsWine
Travelling with kids? We’ve got you.
Our farm and cultural experiences are perfect for curious little explorers—and their parents.
Feed friendly goats, hear Māori legends, and taste your way through Hawke's Bay.
These Tours blend local flavours, education, stunning landscapes, and relaxed fun family vibes into one unforgettable day.
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly, local, and made with love.
Dm us to book 🐐🍦🌞
#matestravelnz #guidedtours #hawkesbaytours #travelnz #nztravel #nztours #visithawkesbay #culturaltours #freshfruiticecream #nzfarmtour #NapierTours #AuthenticNZ #authentictours #māoriculture #feedthegoats
Spot the venue 👀
This coming season, we have a very exciting collaboration with this ultimate wine-with a breathtaking-view Hawke's Bay Winery!
Here viewed from the view ✨
Where are we? ⛰️🍷
Come wine with us, come tour with us 🌞
#HawkesBay #nzwinetour #CraggyRange #WineTastingNZ #tematapeak #ScenicNZ #luxurytravelnz #matestravel #nzmustdo #NewZealandWine #wineryviews #winewithaview #hawkesbaywine #WineLoversNZ #matestravelnz #hawkesbaytours #supportlocalnz #purenewzealand #travelnz #nztravel #DiscoverHawkesBay #worldwinecapitals #hawkesbaywinecountry #guidedtours #AuthenticNZ #visitnewzealand #visithawkesbay
🍓 NEW TOUR DROP! 🍯🍫
Say hello to Taste Hawke’s Bay — our sweetest adventure yet!
We love our Wine & Gin Tours, but what about the kids? This is the perfect tour for families with kids of all ages or anyone with a sweet tooth or an interest in classic New Zealand treats and how they're are made.
Think honey tastings, handcrafted chocolates, and iconic real fruit ice cream... all in one delicious day out.
🍯 Arataki Honey
Meet the bees, taste the goods, and learn how NZ’s favourite honey is made.
🍫 Silky Oak Chocolates
Enjoy handmade treats, learn how chocolate is crafted, and explore the only chocolate museum of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
🍦 Real fruit ice-cream
Cool off with a real fruit ice cream blended fresh to order — a true Kiwi classic and loved by all ages.
🚐 Small group travel, beautiful countryside views, comfortable transport and great company included (obviously 😉)
📍Now running from Napier, Havelock North & Hastings
📆 Bookings open now!
#TasteHawkesBay #FoodieTourNZ #MatesTravelNZ #NapierTours #HawkesBayEats #ArtisanAdventure #ChocolateHoneyAndIceCream #HawkesBayNZ #NapierNZ #DiscoverHawkesBay #GuidedTours #LocalGuide
#ExperienceNewZealand #AuthenticNZ #NZMustDo #aratakihoney #silkyoaks #realfruiticecream #hiddengemsNZ #BucketListTravel #NZtravel #TravelNZ
✨ 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 :)
🍸🍸🍸
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!
🍇🍷🚕
🙋♀️🙉🍷