OUR STORY – BORN OUT OF NECESSITY & PASSION FOR TRAVEL
Our story started in March during Lockdown… Here we were, 3 experienced tour hosts and guides. Suddenly not able to take our wonderful travellers overseas for the foreseeable future!
As the three of us had worked together for over 25 years at World Travellers Motueka (and formerly Holiday Shoppe), it just seemed to make sense to try and combine our new and exciting travel ideas for small group tours. As travel is the thing we have always been most passionate about.
OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLES
First we looked at the problems we faced:
- There were already many tours out there and more by the day, as borders looked like they would stay shut.
- We found many kiwis were a little reluctant to do a ‘group’ tour in their own country.
- Others felt they already knew their own backyard well enough.
How were we going to tackle this?
After many Zoom brainstorming sessions, and the odd glass of wine to lubricate our creativity, we started to form a vision:
- Something unique and exciting that was not already available in New Zealand
- A hosted (not guided) holiday, which gives guests opportunities to explore on their own. But structured so all the research has been done for them, and all they need to do is choose their activities for the day.
- Where everyone could meet up at the end of the day to enjoy the camaraderie of the group and share tales of their adventures.
- Had to be small group tours, as that aligned with our philosophy of creating unique, intimate experiences for our guests. It also meant we could stay in some amazing places along the way.
OUR VISION
We found that Hosted Motorhome trails would offer exactly what we were looking for…
To craft authentic High-Quality Motorhome Experiences with the opportunity to stay and engage with locals in farm stays, Maraes, and other unique locations. Offering flexible daily itineraries and the security of connecting with a group of likeminded travellers!
Roving Kiwi Directors and Tour Hosts
Phil and Jane Harris
Have worked in the travel industry for over 40 Years and have owned and operated a very successful travel agency in Motueka for the past 25 Years. Both Phil and Jane have also spent 15 years hosting small group tours throughout the world. Their experience in looking after their guests in all sorts of environments will help to ensure their campervan tours are fun filled, relaxed holidays, run efficiently. They work very hard to make sure all their guests are looked after so they can enjoy a lifetime holiday experience!
Silvana Gottini
Has worked with Phil and Jane Harris for the last 25 years, as both a travel agent and as director of her own small group tour company. Travelling overseas for 3 to 4 months of the year leading tours in South America and Europe. Silvana’s experience in crafting all her tours from scratch, is an added bonus when it comes to putting together our carefully designed Roving Kiwi itineraries.
Doug Avery
We would like to acknowledge the priceless assistance that Doug, The Resilient Farmer, has provided us. Without his help connecting us to some amazing farms and high country stations, we would not have got our tours off the ground. Doug calls on a regular basis providing ideas and encouragement. Doug has been helping to spread the word out to his large network of contacts throughout New Zealand and Australia, He is now working on farm contacts for our proposed North Island Tours!
Ian & Vicki
Back in March 20 during the Covid Lockdown, Phil and Jane Harris during a Zoom drinkies session with Ian (Jane’s cousin) and his partner Vicki who live in Christchurch, were brainstorming on what they could do while the New Zealand borders were closed.
“Our main source of income had stopped overnight, and we had no idea how long this would be! Ian and Vicki are enthusiastic caravaners and enjoy travelling around the South Island in their caravan.
The concept of us hosting some sort of campervan trail was born. Soon after we were free from lockdown, we hired a campervan and along with Ian and Vicki set off down south on an exploration trip. Jane and I were blown away with the amazing scenery and the freedom of travelling in a campervan. This inspired us to start working on the tours that we have on our website today.”