Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990
Let our experienced team guide you through the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of New Zealand. With in-depth knowledge of the country and its hidden gems, we’ll craft a tailor-made itinerary that perfectly aligns with your interests and preferences. Trust us to create an unforgettable experience
Many of our clients tell us that they were confused or misled by all of the sites on the internet, where they have no idea of who they are dealing with, and in some cases, where they do business.
An eye-catching website does not ensure that the client will receive expert …or even correct advice. We invite you to meet our team and benefit from our years of Kiwi research, relationship-building, and experience.
Trust the experts to help you turn a “good” trip to New Zealand into a great one.
This is a special place on Earth and deserves to be appreciated for all that it can be!
We have vetted accommodations, activities, and travel via dozens of trips to New Zealand. Some of us even have an accent still. You will not think that you can drive from Mt. Cook to Franz Josef Glacier in 30 minutes just because “they are 20 miles away from each other on the map.” The trip takes 6+ hours.
Leveraging our expertise will not cost you more out of pocket than the retail prices direct on the internet. We have contracts and relationships across New Zealand, and know which rooms face the mountains vs those which face an alley.
We work with you to provide a custom itinerary- not a pre-packaged tour. When your itinerary is delivered it will have line by line itemized pricing, so you know exactly where your dollar is spent.
This is your time, so use it efficiently! We decrease the chance of you leaving the country having had an “ok” time, and increase the probability of having a “great” time.
Mike McClelland, who started the travel agency in 1981, first fished New Zealand in 1974 and has made over 70 trips since then to explore, research, and enjoy this beautiful and friendly country. These trips have included most areas of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands, and Great Barrier Island. Mike is also proud to be the only non-Kiwi who is an honorary member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association (NZPFGA).
After organizing groups to fly fish the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan in the mid-80’s, Mike decided to concentrate solely on New Zealand in 1989. The Best of New Zealand Fly Fishing has concentrated solely on trips “down under” over 26 years. Mike continues to visit Bhutan where he is partner in a fly tying operation.
Besides the numerous trips to New Zealand and Bhutan, Mike and his wife have visited most parts of the world—including off the beaten track places such as North Korea; Turkmenistan; Iran; Antarctica , Falkland & South Georgia Islands; Cuba; and Mongolia. Modes of transportation include a freighter trip on the West Coast of Africa; Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Train; Norwegian coastal cruise on a mailboat; chartered luxury barges in France and Holland; and twice taking delivery of a Porsche at factory in Germany and driving it through Europe.
For the last 8 years Mike & Nancy, his wife of 52 years, have owned a beachfront cottage, Wave Watchers Retreat, on the West Coast of the South Island in the small community of Punakaiki. The cottage is enjoyed by many Best of New Zealand clients
When you are ready to travel to New Zealand one of our experts will be happy to help!
Frank Krieger is proud to continue the legacy of the Best of New Zealand as its Owner/Partner. As a kid his first fly fishing memories were on the small Pennsylvania streams which flowed in his Aunt and Uncle’s yard. Educated as an engineer, prior to BoNZ Frank held positions in the corporate world as a consultant and in sales management. Married, with three kids, he has helped expand the Best of New Zealand portfolio.
Frank has fished within the USA and around the world. A few favorite destinations being the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Cook Islands. However, there is no fishing destination like New Zealand for the country’s untouched beauty and challenge of landing those wily Browns!
Karen Miller is a Kiwi and has been with The Best of New Zealand since 1994, bringing over 30 years of travel industry experience. Prior to joining the team, she worked at the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Office in Los Angeles, assisting with consumer promotions, travel agent training, and trip planning. She then spent nearly five years with an incentive travel company in England, planning and escorting incentive and conference groups worldwide.
Karen regularly travels to New Zealand to stay current on industry developments and attend the annual TRENZ conference, where our team builds relationships and deepens product knowledge with the New Zealand tourism industry.
Cristina Randall was born in Chile where she earned a degree in Tourism and Hospitality. She has worked in the travel industry since 1984. For the last 28 years she has specialized in helping plan and book trips to New Zealand and the South Pacific. She has made 27 trips to New Zealand; 11 trips to Australia; and has twice visited both Tahiti and Fiji. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Cristina joined “The Best” team in early 2005.
Cristina advises if you go to Queenstown in the height of the summer, make sure to pre-book your tours well in advance. Cristina also notes that “Wellington is a beautiful city and makes for a good stopover between the North and South Island.” While there, don’t miss the Gallipoli museum done by Peter Jackson’s associates at Weta Workshop. The larger-than-life figures are both moving and amazingly realistic. Lastly, bike tours are getting more popular as tour companies feature one-way trips. 1-2 hour rides on flat paved roads can be enjoyed by all ages, even those that end with a wine tasting!
Georgina Zepeda, who coordinates our clients’ air travel, has an Associate’s Degree in Travel and Hospitality and has over nineteen years’ experience as a travel agent (over fifteen years with The Best of New Zealand). She knows how to find the best airfares (cheaper than on the internet); obtain preferred seating on the flights; clear waitlists; and coordinate domestic flights within New Zealand. Georgina has made her eighth trip to New Zealand this year.
Virginie Darrasse was born in France, where she earned a Master’s in Economics in Paris before moving to Germany to work as an event coordinator in Bonn. After relocating to the States, she worked for Air France at LAX and Air Tahiti Nui as a travel agency coordinator, bringing deep industry roots to her work with clients.
Virginie discovered New Zealand on her three week honeymoon road trip in the South Island and still remembers the thrill of swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura and the stunning helicopter ride to Fox Glacier on the West Coast. She returned in May 2025 to explore the North Island, visiting Auckland, Waiheke Island, Rotorua, and Taupo.
Her favorite activities: the Ultimate Rotorua Canopy Tour, a night glowworm kayak tour, the Mt Tarawera crater walk, and a jet boat ride under Huka Falls. She has been with us since 2018 and coordinates bookings with our New Zealand partners, putting the final touches on all itineraries to make sure each detail is perfectly in place.
Deki Lhamo was born in Bhutan but moved to Los Angeles as a child, where she has been based ever since. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management and joined The Best of New Zealand team in August 2023, where she oversees marketing and helps shape the brand across all four of the company’s websites.
Though she has yet to visit New Zealand herself, Deki has developed a deep appreciation for the country through the content she creates. Researching and writing about New Zealand destinations, experiences, and hidden gems has turned what started as curiosity into a genuine passion, and she brings that enthusiasm to every blog post and campaign she works on.
New Zealand is firmly on her wish list, and those who know her say it is only a matter of time.”
The last line is a soft, warm close but let me know if that feels too playful and I can swap it out. Also happy to adjust the tone or add anything else you want clients to know about your role.
Registration No. 1018531-40
"Registration as a Seller of Travel does not constitute approval by the State of California"
This business is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). You, the passenger, may request reimbursement from TCRC if you are owed a refund of more than $50 for transportation or travel services which was not refunded in a timely manner by a seller of travel who was registered and participating in the TCRC at the time of sale.
The maximum amount which may be paid by the TCRC to any one passenger is the total amount paid on behalf of the passenger to the seller of travel, not to exceed $15,000.
A claim must be submitted to the TCRC within six months after the scheduled completion date of the travel.
A claim must include sufficient information and documentation to prove your claim and a $35 processing fee. You must agree to waive your right to other civil remedies against a registered participating seller of travel for matters arising out of a sale for which you file a claim with the TCRC, if you were located in California at the time of the sale.
You may request a claim form by writing to:
Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation,
PO Box 6001,
Larkspur,
CA 94977-6001;
or by faxing a request to: (415) 927-7698
Customers located outside of California are not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.