New Zealand Agricultural & Food Tour
Hosted by Calgary Stampede International Agriculture Committee
February 8th-26th 2016
Optional Cook Islands stopover available
Welcome to New Zealand!
There are just 4.5 million New Zealanders, scattered across 270,534 sq km: bigger than the UK with one-fourteenth the population. Filling in the gaps are the sublime forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and fiords that have made NZ one of the best
destinations on Earth.
DEPART CANADA ON THE 8th FEBRUARY 2016 - overnight flight
Lose a day due to time zone (9th FEBRUARY 2016)
DAY 1: ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN (D) 10th FEBRUARY 2016
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Queenstown. The remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from
your international flight. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s
Homestead at Walter Peak High Country farm.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel, Queenstown
DAY 2: QUEENSTOWN (B, D) 11th FEBRUARY 2016
This morning is at leisure to explore the delights of this alpine resort. You can either sit back and relax or your Coach Captain
will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the famous Shotover jet boat ride, take a Gondola to the skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon, or for the adventurous – white water rafting.
Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries.
You will be collected from the hotel at approximately 2.00pm and taken on a Guided Winery Tour to the Gibbston region of
central Otago. The tour will highlight three of the wine region’s iconic vineyards and also includes a feature visit to New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave, tastings and a fabulous dinner (tapas style dishes on their famous ‘Trust the chef’ menu)
at the award winning Amisfield Cellars Bistro. You will be accompanied by a guide who will include a commentary on wine and
local history.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel, Queenstown
DAY 3: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND DAY CRUISE (B, L) 12th, FEBRUARY 2016
Travel south along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and across the Five Rivers to Mossburn. Arrive into Te Anau then on
around the lake to the spectacular mountain scenery of the National Park. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys – native
forest, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and towering peaks, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend through the Cleddau Canyon to
Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls (a picnic
lunch on board is included). Travel back along the winding Milford Road to Te Anau
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
DAY 4: MILFORD SOUND / ARROWTOWN / WANAKA (B) 13th FEBRUARY 2016
Travel back towards Queenstown and on to the historic and charming village of Arrowtown, where you will have free time for
lunch (own expense) and even perhaps for a visit the old Chinese Miners Settlement nearby. Travel onwards to Wanaka here
you will spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel, Wanaka
DAY 5: WANAKA (B, L) 14th FEBRUARY 2016
Visit Criffel Station, Wanaka, NZ. In 1993 Jerry and Mandy converted the station into a deer breeding and finishing farm.
Over the years as irrigation systems have been established, pastures improved and more and more land deer fenced, the property has been developed to the point where it offers 1850 effective hectares, including:
350 ha of finishing pastures on the flats and terraces with 315 ha irrigated
1500 ha of breeding/hill blocks on the steeper tussock country
These days the farm runs predominantly Eastern European red deer – to enable increased growth rates and earlier calving. The
farming business is comprised of a:
Commercial herd – 1900 hinds, Elite herd of red deer – 210 hinds, Velveting herd – 450 including sire stags
Young finishing stock both bred on Criffel Station and trading stock – varies, up to 2000 finishers
The property is effectively run as three entities – hill breeding, venison finishing and a stud operation. The stud operation
measures breeding values with a primary focus on venison growth to 12 months utilizing DNA technology to produce top quality
breeding hinds and stags. The genetics are passed directly to the commercial operation and other commercial buyers.
600 dairy calves are grazed from December through for 18 months.
Criffel Station has an emphasis on a balanced environment for the people, land and animals. This encompasses future generation sustainability – to allow ongoing enhancement and enjoyment of the property.
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Wanaka on your own.
Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel, Wanaka
DAY 6: CHRISTCHURCH (B) 15th FEBRUARY 2016
Travel over the winding Lindis Pass today and continue on your journey to arrive into stunning Tekapo to view the iconic
Church of the Good Shepherd. Built in 1935, this lovely church and the Collie Dog statue nearby both overlook the powder blue
waters of Lake Tekapo itself, allowing for some spectacular photo opportunities. You will have some free time here to explore
and purchase your own lunch if you choose. Travel through the MacKenzie Country, an area famed for its history of sheep
farming and its sparsely populated beauty, before descending onto the vast patchwork of Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch.
Free evening
Accommodation: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch
DAY 7: CHRISTCHURCH TO BLENHEIM (B) 16th FEBRUARY 2016
Head north and enjoy a kaleidoscope of scenery across fertile Canterbury farmland through the Hundalee Ranges. Follow the
Pacific coastline, with the Kaikoura Mountains forming a rugged backdrop to the west.
Beef Farm—Pure Breed Angus operation visit enroute to Kaikoura
Te Mania Angus - www.temania.co.nz
With over 800 females to select from, Te Mania Angus is one of the largest fully performance recorded registered Angus
herds in country. We have one of the largest on-farm bull sales in New Zealand which offers a comprehensive selection of performance driven genetics that will enhance the profitability of our clients’ business.
You will stop in Kaikoura for lunch (at own expense) and to enjoy some free time to look around the shops and bay. Next continue up along the coastline to Blenheim (stopping for a brief look at the seal colony located on the main highway just above
Kaikoura if time and weather permits.) Once you arrive into Blenheim the rest of your evening is free to relax.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim
DAY 8: BLENHEIM (B,L) 17th FEBRUARY 2016
Winery Tour/Lunch & Chocolate tasting
Blenheim is the central hub for Marlborough’s wine industry with more than 100 wineries in the area. It is New Zealand's best
known wine producing region with a reputation for producing the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Discover the wine valley
with a fully guided wine tasting tour and platter style lunch which will take you to four local wineries and a Makana Chocolates
for a true Kiwi experience. (10.30am to 4pm approx.) After your tour the rest of your day is free to relax and explore.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim
DAY 9: BLENHEIM / WELLINGTON / PALMERSTON NORTH, (B, ) 18th FEBRUARY 2016
Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander Ferry. (9.05am if possible but if not
it will most likely be the 11am sailing as the ship used for the 9.05am sailing may not allow foot passengers (only vehicles) Sail
through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, viewing the stunning sheltered waterways, remote bays ad isolated holiday homes.
Travel across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Capital City. A brief city tour will
incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive
‘Beehive’, Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Later travel to Palmerston North via the stunning east coast and
check into your hotel with the rest of your evening free.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel, Palmerston North
DAY 10: PALMERSTON NORTH (B, D) 19th, FEBRUARY 2016
Morning visit Feilding Livestock Auction
The first sale was conducted by Mr Jack Stevens and Colonel Gorton on 24th May 1880 in the Denbigh Hotel Sale yards. This was
the same site as the sale yards now occupy. At the first sale 100 head of cattle were sold. Regular fortnightly sales followed and
were later expanded to weekly sales with four firms involved.
In earlier times the Sale yards were considered to be one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with 489 pens covering 3.7
hectares, selling 100,000 cattle and 600,000 sheep annually. Now the Feilding Sale yards remain of important significance to the
Region. They still occupy 3.7 hectares and have 350 sheep pens, 140 cattle pens and 45 deer pens. These days around 50,000
cattle and 450,000 sheep are sold annually.
Afternoon visit to Atahua Angus
The Dalziells' headquarters operation sits 600 meters above sea level. The Southern Alps are readily seen on the horizon on a
clear day. Average annual rainfall here is about 60 inches, the majority of which comes June through August.
The hill country operation is 700 acres of deeded land plus another 600 acres of leased land. They run about 70 cows here,
along with 2500 ewes. The Dalziells have two bull sales a year. They sell 35 of the very top end as two year-old bulls in June and
35 yearling bulls in September. The yearling bulls are mainly the bull calves out of their heifers.
The last two years many of their yearling bulls sold to dairy farmers. They use quite a few of their top yearling bulls themselves
over their yearling heifers and cows, but overall Michele says they haven't gotten the Kiwis around to the idea of using yearling
bulls in their beef herds yet.
Average weight on their two year-old bulls is 832 kilos or 1832 pounds, while their yearlings weigh on average 450 kilos or 992
pounds. All of their bulls are grown out on grass only and raised in such a way that when they leave the Dalziell farm they're
ready to go to work.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel, Palmerston North
DAY 11: PALMERSTON NORTH (B, D) 20th FEBRUARY 2016
Morning visit to Cross Slot
Baker No-Tillage Ltd (BNT)'s principals were formally scientists and engineers at New Zealand's Massey University and invented the Cross Slot no-tillage technologies over a 30-year period. The company continuously refines the world's most sophisticated no-tillage system and machines, markets them and supports their users in the field.
The science and design embodied in all Cross Slot machines has been internationally recognized.
Afterwards you will visit the Tui Brewery for a tour and tasting before continuing onwards to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco
capital.
This afternoon enjoy an Art Deco walking tour of Napier city with a local guide.
Accommodation: Quest Hotel, Napier
DAY 12: NAPIER (B) 21st FEBRUARY 2016
This morning at 9.30am you will enjoy a fully guided Winery Tour, visiting three iconic wineries in the famous wine growing region of Hawkes Bay, enjoying tastings at Trinity Hill and Ngatarawa, and experiencing a tour of Ashridge’s boutique facility where
you will meet the winemaker, gaining insight into the operational side of the wine making process. Upon returning to Napier city
at 1.30pm the rest of your afternoon is free to enjoy some time to relax or explore Napier on your own.
Accommodation: Quest Hotel, Napier
DAY 13: NAPIER / LAKE TAUPO (B) 22nd FEBRUARY 2016
This morning you will drive across vineyards and rolling hills to Lake Taupo and the spectacular Huka Falls.
Rest of the day to explore Lake Taupo on your own…
The Taupo town centre is one of those extraordinary places that you’ll visit and wish you lived in. In fact, many of our permanent
residents had exactly that thought when they first visited Taupo, so they chose to make it their home. Moving from all corners of
the globe and from within New Zealand, these people have joined longer-standing residents to form a diverse and caring community who embrace the quintessential kiwi lifestyle. Relaxed living, beautiful surroundings and positive people are what it’s all
about.
Taupo is known for its adrenaline activities like bungy jumping, sky diving and jet boating, but equally for
its fishing, boating, walking and natural attractions such as geothermal hot pools, waterfalls, forests and volcanoes. All of this can
be done within relatively close proximity to the Taupo town centre, making it the ideal base for your visit.
Relax at your hotel, take a walk to the town centre to browse the shops & cafes on the waterfront. If you wish to go trout fishing,
golfing & other sightseeing activities please advise and we will book on your behalf.
Go to Lake Taupo website for more info on the activities offer: www.greatlaketaupo.com
Accommodation: Millennium Resort Manuels, Lake Taupo
DAY 14: ROTORUA (B, D) 23rd FEBRUARY 2016
Dairy Farm visit on route to Rotorua
A farm that integrates all components currently available to New Zealand dairy farmers to create one of the most profitable
farms in the country. The property milks 900 crossbred cows on 232 hectares through 54 bale rotary. Autumn and spring calving.
The property has Protrack – electronic ID and auto drafting, automatic weighing, milk vat monitoring, water heating from the
chillers and wireless networking for the computer from the house to the farm dairy with resolution mapping.
Upon arrival into Rotorua you will enjoy a free afternoon, allowing you to try out some optional activities if you choose. Your
Coach Captain will be happy to assist you in making any bookings or in providing suggestions. This evening you will discover the
Tamaki Maori Village. You will be greeted by imposing warriors who will perform the Powhiri (traditional Maori welcome) before you walk through a forest of pine trees and learn about some of the traditional Maori arts. Later enjoy the Maori hangi
(traditionally prepared meats and vegetables) which has been slow cooked beneath the earth using hot stones, as well as enjoying a selection of more conventional dishes. Be inspired by a concert and cultural performance featuring stirring Maori songs,
haunting chants and the famous haka.
DAY 15: HAMILTON (B, D) 24th FEBRUARY 2016
Today you will drive through the lush Waikato region to Hamilton. Afternoon visit to Hereford farm. The Property consists of
1220Ha hill country, ranging in altitude from 200m to 1100m above sea level.
550 females and approximately 650 support stock. Up to 25 bulls will be used for the 2014 mating, either naturally or in our E.T.
and A.I. programmes. Our annual bull sale is in early October, consisting of 150 bulls, the majority of which are sold to the Dairy
Industry.
Afternoon visit to Waitomo Caves
The caves were carved by underground streams pushing through soft limestone over thousands of years. Many have amazing
stalactites growing down from the ceiling and stalagmites growing up from the cave floor, pointy cones of layered rock formed
over centuries by dripping water. The cave walls are also decorated with galaxies of native glow worms.
Accommodation: Ibis Tainui Hotel, Hamilton
DAY 16: HAMILTON / AUCKLAND (B,D) 25th FEBRUARY 2016
Mid morning you will drive from Hamilton over the Bombay hills towards Auckland, free time to explore Auckland waterfront.
This evening after checking into your hotel you will be transferred to the iconic Auckland Skytower to enjoy a delicious farewell
dinner at the Orbit Restaurant for spectacular views and a fresh food.
Accommodation: Mercure Hotel
DAY 17: DEPART AUCKLAND (B) 26th FEBRUARY 2016
Today you will be transferred to the international Airport in plenty of time to board your homebound flight.
End of tour!
NEW ZEALAND PACKAGE PRICING
$7408 per person: based on minimum of 24 passengers
When we reach 25 to 29 passengers price will be reduced by $335 per person
30 to 34 passengers price will be reduced by a further $526 per person
Single Supplement please add $1374
Package includes : International flights—Calgary to New Zealand, domestic flight within New Zealand, All hotel
accommodation, transfers, coach services, sightseeing per itinerary, technical Farm visits, winery visits,
Meals per itinerary - Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch D = Dinner
Deposit due on or before September 30th 2015
$500 per person to secure your seat on first come basis! Space is limited to 34 maximum!
Optional: Cook Islands - Rarotonga Stop-over break up the long haul flight home
Twin rate: $423 per person
(Cook Islands, depart Auckland on the 26th, gain a day due to international date line arrive in Cook Islands on the
25th Feb afternoon, Feb 26th, 27th Flights depart 11pm, late check out booked)
(Two nights accommodation, late check out for the 27th, round trip airport transfers, daily tropical breakfast)
For more information please contact Leader Tours Inc.
Phone: 403-270-7044 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
www.leadertours.ca