Meet the Heart Behind Great Kiwi Trips
- Nov 13, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: May 12
Discover New Zealand Travel Experiences
Kia ora! I’m Luke.
I was born in the Waikato, grew up in Auckland, and spent my early career with Air New Zealand – first in Auckland, then in Queenstown. Travel has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, starting as Dad’s chief map navigator on family road trips that often ended at Mum’s favourite place, Mount Maunganui.
I’ve been fortunate to explore more than 40 countries, but Aotearoa New Zealand has always pulled me back. After time in Wellington and a few years in the Wairarapa, I eventually made Christchurch home – a place that still keeps me close to the landscapes I love to explore.
Why Great Kiwi Trips Exists
Great Kiwi Trips was created from a simple idea: travel feels more meaningful when it’s shaped by people who truly know the place.
Every region in New Zealand has its own rhythm – its own light, pace, and character. My work is about helping travellers experience that properly: not just moving through places, but connecting with them.
It’s about thoughtful journeys, quiet moments, and the small details that make Aotearoa unforgettable.
A Personal Connection to Place
One of my earliest memories of really feeling New Zealand was in the Marlborough Sounds.
I thought I was prepared for it – but the stillness, the hidden coves, and the shifting light changed everything. It wasn’t just a place to see. It was a place that asked you to slow down.
That feeling is what I try to bring into every journey we design.
Guided by Kaitiaki and Manaakitanga
In te ao Māori, kaitiaki refers to a guardian or caretaker – someone responsible for protecting and respecting people and place.
Manaakitanga is the spirit of hospitality, generosity, and care for others.
These values shape how I approach travel design: with respect for the land, attention to detail, and a genuine focus on how people experience Aotearoa.
How We Work
Great Kiwi Trips is a small, locally grounded travel design service.
Every itinerary is shaped from real experience – places I’ve lived, roads I’ve driven, and regions I continue to explore.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all travel. Instead, we design journeys that reflect how you want to experience New Zealand – whether that’s coastal roads, alpine landscapes, cultural cities, or quiet remote places.
Why We Do What We Do
Travel isn’t about seeing more – it’s about feeling more.
It’s the pause before sunrise in a quiet valley.A conversation over a café table in a small town.A coastal road that turns into something you didn’t expect.
These are the moments that stay with you long after the journey ends.
Start Your Journey
Every traveller sees Aotearoa differently.
We help shape those perspectives into thoughtful, connected journeys designed around you.
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