Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990
Michael D. McClelland, founder and owner of The Best of New Zealand, has an impressive history with Air New Zealand dating back to 1974. He founded the company in 1989 and continued to lead it until 2020, when his son-in-law, Frank Krieger, took over. McClelland’s story with Air New Zealand is a personal one, woven into both his travel experiences and the business itself. His initial encounters with New Zealand were characterized by a rugged landscape, limited accommodations, and a unique culinary experience. Despite these challenges, he was captivated by the country’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people.
McClelland’s relationship with Air New Zealand began in 1974 during a business trip from Los Angeles to Papua New Guinea. On his return, he made an unexpected stop in New Zealand, marking the first of many visits. His flight took him across various airlines, but it was his first Air New Zealand experience—flying Port Moresby to Cairns (on Territory Airlines Ltd) to Townsville, to Brisbane, to Sydney (all on Trans Australia Airlines), and finally to Christchurch—that sparked a deep connection. Renting a car in the then-small city of Christchurch (population 8,400), McClelland embarked on a scenic journey to Milford Sound.
His exploration continued with a flight on Mount Cook Airlines to the majestic Mount Cook and back. For the return leg to Los Angeles, he flew on National Airways Corp., New Zealand’s domestic airline at the time, which would later merge with Air New Zealand, the international airline in 1978. From Auckland, he continued his journey on UTA Airlines, making a stopover in Tahiti. The entire trip, from Los Angeles to Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and back to Los Angeles, took just over 51 hours!
Two years after Air New Zealand launched its inaugural nonstop service between Los Angeles and Auckland in 1986, McClelland returned to the country for a second visit. Since then, he has made over 80 trips to New Zealand, consistently choosing Air New Zealand as his preferred airline.
When McClelland first visited New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s, it was a vastly different country than it is today. The main roads were mostly gravel, and it was so common for rental cars to come equipped with plastic shields to replace shattered windshields from flying rocks, and most were used imports from Japan that locals jokingly called “rent-a-dent.” Many of these cars had annoying buzzers that would sound if the driver exceeded the speed limit.
Accommodations were limited, and tourists often stayed on farms or in small homes that offered a spare bedroom. Bathrooms were shared with the family and other guests, and McClelland recalled more than once using a bedroom vacated by the family’s child, whose collection of stuffed animals remained on the bed.
Cocktail hour typically consisted of a warm beer with the farmer-host while watching one of the two available television channels. New Zealand food, until the mid-1970s, was bland and unimaginative, with little variety. A typical meal consisted of flavorless meat, potatoes, and a couple of vegetables, boiled and reduced to a pulpy heap.
Wine was mainly sold in cardboard boxes or by filling up your own wine jug at the local pub. Kiwis almost never ate out, and when traveling, they would cook their own meals. There were very few restaurants, and most were located in the cities. Until 1974, margarine was illegal in New Zealand and could only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. Everyone was expected to eat butter to support the dairy industry.
In 1970, New Zealand attracted just 167,293 visitors—about one tourist for every 17 of the country’s then-population of 2.85 million. In 1991, the year after McClelland started selling travel to New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand was formed and set a goal of tripling the number of tourists to three million by the turn of the century. The following year, one million tourists arrived in the country for the first time. Although the three million milestone was ultimately missed, with just under two million tourists by 2000, numbers grew sharply in the early 2000s, spurred by the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the 1999 launch of Tourism New Zealand’s “100% Pure New Zealand” marketing campaign.
Throughout the decades, The Best of New Zealand’s partnership with Air New Zealand was marked by significant milestones. McClelland’s connections with New Zealand’s iconic figures and Air New Zealand’s leadership enhanced this collaboration.
A special highlight was McClelland’s encounter with Sir Edmund Hillary at an Air New Zealand event, where they shared stories about their fishing adventures in the Himalayas and Bhutan.
Sir Edmund Percival Hillary was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Died: January 11, 2008 (age 88 years)
McClelland also crossed paths with The Right Hon. James B. Bolger, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, during a pivotal time of economic growth for the country. He led the National Party for almost 12 years and had three consecutive terms as the country’s head of government. Under his leadership the New Zealand economy was transformed from having the lowest growth rate among the 29 OECD nations to one of the strongest.
The company became a member of Air New Zealand’s prestigious “World 50,” recognizing The Best of New Zealand as one of the airline’s largest travel agency partners. McClelland and his wife Nancy celebrated the launch of the airline’s inaugural non-stop flight from Auckland to San Francisco.
The Best of New Zealand were honored to have been selected by Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand as the only travel agency permitted to organize and offer “The Royal Tour,” a visit to each of the favorite New Zealand sights and adventures of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Helen Clark.
The Best of New Zealand was selected to organize “The Royal Tour,” a curated travel experience highlighting New Zealand’s prime attractions in partnership with Prime Minister Helen Clark. That same year, McClelland and his wife flew on the inaugural non-stop flight to Christchurch, enjoying New Zealand wine alongside Air New Zealand’s Managing Director Sir Ralph Norris and Tourism New Zealand’s CEO, George Hickton.
Sir Ralph Norris, who served as Air New Zealand’s CEO from 2002 to 2005, led the airline through a period of significant challenges and subsequent success. Following the September 11 attacks and the collapse of Ansett Australia, Air New Zealand faced its largest-ever financial loss. To prevent the national airline from failing, the New Zealand government invested over $885 million, taking a majority stake.
Under his leadership, the airline underwent a remarkable transformation. Air New Zealand became a global industry leader, known for its profitability, innovation, and high-quality products. Norris oversaw the airline’s return to profitability within 24 months and implemented major improvements to both its domestic and international operations.
McClelland forged a lasting professional relationship with Rob Fyfe, Air New Zealand’s CEO from 2005 to 2012. Fyfe is the former Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand where he was credited with driving a historic turnaround in the airline’s strategy and culture while maintaining profitability during economic downturns.
During his tenure from 2005 to 2012, the airline was named Airline of the Year by Air Transport World, as well as New Zealand’s most attractive employer and most reputable company. Fyfe was credited with steering the airline through economic challenges, and under his leadership, Air New Zealand won numerous accolades, including Airline of the Year.
A notable moment came when McClelland attended the delivery ceremony of Air New Zealand’s first 777-300ER in Seattle. This event introduced the airline’s new interior and branding to the world.
McClelland had the pleasure of having dinner with Christopher Luxon in New Zealand on two occasions. Christopher Luxon spent seven years as Chief Executive of Air New Zealand, taking over the reins from Rob Fyfe at the end of 2012. In 2019 he resigned and returned to New Zealand and entered politics. He has been the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand since November 2023.
In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic forced a halt in travel. For McClelland, this moment marked a natural transition into retirement at age 81. He handed over the reins of The Best of New Zealand to his son-in-law, Frank Krieger, who had been with the company since 2017. Since then, McClelland has continued to consult and assist some of the company’s long-standing clients.
Despite the challenges, Frank has expanded the company’s services, offering specialized golfing trips to both New Zealand and Australia. He has also modernized operations by incorporating new technologies that allow the company to enhance customer service through online platforms and mobile apps.
To differentiate itself in a competitive market, Best of New Zealand aims to become the leading expert in golf tourism for North Americans. By transitioning to online platforms, the company can centralize its operations, improve its online marketing efforts, and provide added value to clients through a mobile application for itineraries. The goal is for the team to enhance customer service and deliver greater value to clients. With a rich history and a strong partnership with Air New Zealand, the company is well-positioned to cater to travelers seeking unique adventures in New Zealand and beyond.
The Best of New Zealand and Air New Zealand’s enduring partnership highlights that this journey has been marked by passion, innovation, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of New Zealand. From the early days of groundbreaking travel experiences to the present-day focus on personalized golf tours and cutting-edge technology, the agency’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering.
