POST-CONFERENCE
TOURS
After the excitement and connection of the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, we invite you to continue your journey through Aotearoa New Zealand.
Two special post-conference tours have been designed exclusively for attendees and their companions ..... one exploring the North Island and the other the South Island. Each offers a unique window into our country’s rural communities, where you’ll meet local health professionals, visit regional hospitals and practices, and gain first-hand insight into healthcare in diverse settings. Beyond the professional connections, these tours are a celebration of Aotearoa’s people, culture, and landscapes. From coastal towns and vibrant cities to mountain ranges and farmland, you’ll experience the warmth of Kiwi hospitality, enjoy exceptional local food and wine, and discover the stories that shape our regions.
We invite you to explore the itineraries below to find the experience that’s right for you.
To enable us to confirm each tour with our local operators, a minimum of 10 participants per tour is required, with bookings needed by 12pm on Friday 28 February. If you are considering joining a tour, we encourage you to book soon so we can ensure these special experiences go ahead.
To book a post-conference tour, or if you have any questions regarding the tours, please contact teoranoa@conference.nz.
North Island Experience Tour
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM - $4931.00
PER PERSON, SINGLE SHARE FROM - $6325.00
Duration: 9 days | Starts: Wellington | Finishes: Auckland
Day 1 – 14 April: Wellington → Martinborough → Masterton
Overnight in Masterton
Cross the spectacular Remutaka Ranges into the Wairarapa, one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions. Enjoy a relaxed tasting and lunch among the boutique vineyards of Martinborough, then visit the CDC Clinic to learn about rural practice in this region. Experience a heartfelt cultural welcome at Hurunui-o-rangi Marae, where manaakitanga (hospitality) and storytelling bring rural health and Māori heritage together.
Day 2 – 15 April: Masterton → Dannevirke → Napier
Overnight in Napier
Begin your day at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, a sanctuary for native species like the kākā and white kiwi. Continue north to Dannevirke Hospital, meeting dedicated clinicians serving local farming communities. Arrive in Napier, famed for its 1930s Art Deco architecture and Hawke’s Bay wines. Stroll the seaside promenade or take an optional 4WD safari tour of the Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers.
Day 3 – 16 April: Napier → Taupō
Overnight in Taupō
Explore Napier's Art Deco heritage up close with a guided walking tour. Enjoy lunch and a tasting at one of the region's celebrated vineyard restaurants before travelling through fertile plains to the lakeside haven of Taupō, set amid volcanic mountains and geothermal wonders. Marvel at the power of Huka Falls amongst pristine native bush. Meet representatives from Ngāti Tūwharetoa Collective Health to hear about innovative, community-driven care.
Day 4 – 17 April: Taupō → Hamilton
Overnight in Hamilton
Wander through the alien landscapes and geysers of Craters of the Moon, before journeying west through King Country heartland. Venture underground into the otherworldly Waitomo Glowworm Caves and experience the wonder of the night sky below the surface.
Day 5 – 18 April: Hamilton → Raglan → Matamata → Rotorua
Overnight in Rotorua
Drive to the relaxed surf town of Raglan, famous for creativity, sustainability, and endless ocean views. Visit the Raglan Medical Centre to learn about their health promotion work through local sports and marae. Travel through lush Waikato farmland to the rolling hills of Matamata and the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, where the magic of Middle-earth comes alive. Continue to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland steeped in Māori culture. Witness steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools, and towering redwood forests.
Day 6 – 19 April: Rotorua
Overnight in Rotorua
Encounter the Southern Hemisphere’s largest natural geyser, Pōhutu Geyser, on a guided tour of Te Puia Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Then chart your own path for the afternoon with an abundance of options to play, explore, and rejuvenate. Ride the Skyline Gondola for sweeping lake views, zip down the Luge, or try Zorbing for a quintessential Kiwi thrill. Wander through forests or relax at the tranquil Polynesian Spa. Rotorua combines adrenaline and serenity like nowhere else. Wrap up your day of adventure with an evening cultural performance and a hāngī (feast).
Day 7 – 20 April: Rotorua → Mount Maunganui → Whangamatā → Coromandel Town
Overnight in Coromandel Town
Head north to the sun-drenched Bay of Plenty, stopping in Mount Maunganui for coastal views and coffee. Visit the Whangamatā Medical Centre to learn about healthcare across coastal regions. Continue to the Coromandel Peninsula, where, depending on the tide, you can dig your own thermal pool at Hot Water Beach or stroll to the world-famous Cathedral Cove.
Day 8 – 21 April: Coromandel Town → Thames → Auckland
Overnight in Auckland
Follow one of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal drives from Coromandel, meeting practitioners at the local Medical Centre and browsing artisan galleries. Continue to Thames, once a gold-rush capital and now home to a thriving rural hospital community. Celebrate your journey at a farewell dinner with new friends atop the Auckland Sky Tower, reflecting on shared stories and the spirit of rural Aotearoa.
Day 9 – 22 April: Auckland
Your journey concludes with breakfast in Auckland. Continue your travels or return home — carrying unforgettable memories of New Zealand’s landscapes, people, and rural health stories.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- 8 nights - 3.5/4 star accommodation
- 8 breakfasts (cooked or continental)
- 4 lunches
- 7 dinners (excluding alcohol)
- Comfortable coach travel with professional driver
TOURIST ATTRACTION INCLUSIONS
- Pūkaha Wildlife Centre
- Art Deco Walking Tour
- Craters of the Moon
- Waitomo Caves
- Hobbiton Movie Set
- Te Puia Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
South Island Experience Tour
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM - $6032.00
PER PERSON, SINGLE SHARE FROM - $7508.00
Duration: 11 days | Starts: Nelson | Finishes: Christchurch
Day 0 – 13 April: Fly Wellington → Nelson
Overnight in Nelson
After the Conference concludes, board a late-afternoon flight to Nelson, the artistic and culinary heart of the South Island. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner with your fellow travellers, ready for the adventure ahead.
Day 1 – 14 April: Nelson & Golden Bay
Overnight in Nelson
Cross the dramatic Tākaka Hill and descend into Golden Bay, stopping at the crystal-clear Te Waikoropupū (Pupu) Springs, among the purest waters in the world. Visit Golden Bay Community Health to learn about integrated rural healthcare before returning to Nelson via the coastal village of Māpua, known for artisan galleries and harbourside cafés.
Day 2 – 15 April: Nelson→ Kaikōura
Overnight in Kaikōura
Savour a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and lunch amongst the vines in the world-famous wine region of Marlborough. Journey along the rugged coast, passing through fertile farmlands and small fishing towns before arriving in Kaikōura, famed for its abundant marine life. Meet clinicians at Kaikōura Hospital, where lessons from resilience and recovery after the 2016 earthquake still inspire. Enjoy a seafood dinner overlooking the Pacific.
Day 3 – 16 April: Kaikōura → Hanmer Springs
Overnight in Hanmer Springs
Start the morning with a whale-watching flight, offering an up-close look at the resident sperm whales and dusky dolphins. Travel inland through rolling hills to Hanmer Springs, a picturesque alpine village surrounded by forests. Visit the local Hanmer Medical Centre before unwinding in the famous thermal hot pools beneath the Southern Alps.
Day 4 – 17 April: Hanmer Springs → Punakaiki
Overnight in Punakaiki
Drive through the wild beauty of Lewis Pass, stopping in the historic mining town of Reefton, where charming heritage buildings tell stories of New Zealand’s gold-rush past. Continue west to the dramatic Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, a spectacular limestone formation on the rugged West Coast. Visit Buller Health (Westport Hospital) to meet local health professionals and learn more about healthcare delivery in this remote coastal region.
Day 5 – 18 April: Punakaiki → Fox Glacier
Overnight in Fox Glacier
Begin with a visit to Te Nikau Grey Hospital, meeting staff who deliver care across this vast and remote region. Then journey south along one of the world’s great scenic drives - wild coastline on one side, rainforest and mountains on the other. Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier, where ancient ice descends almost to sea level. Weather permitting, enjoy a short walk or optional helicopter scenic flight before spending the night at nearby Fox Glacier.
Day 6 – 19 April: Fox Glacier → Wānaka
Overnight in Wānaka
Begin a spectacular day of travel with a scenic walk around the reflective waters of Lake Matheson. Travel through Haast Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage route showcasing waterfalls, lush beech forests, and turquoise pools. Continue past Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka, two gems framed by snow-capped peaks. Enjoy a lakeside dinner in the vibrant resort town of Wānaka.
Day 7 – 20 April: Wānaka → Queenstown
Overnight in Queenstown
Depart for Queenstown with a stop to explore the historic Arrowtown. On arrival in Queenstown, meet staff at Lakes District Hospital, serving one of the fastest-growing rural populations in New Zealand. Unwind with a sunset cruise of Lake Whakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw.
Day 8 – 21 April: Queenstown
Overnight in Queenstown
A free day to experience Queenstown your way. Take on the Kawarau Bungy, jet-boat the Shotover River, ride the gondola and luge, mountain-bike local trails, or simply enjoy a leisurely lunch in the vineyards of Gibbston Valley. Excursions to Milford Sound Piopiotahi, described as the 8th Wonder of the World, can be arranged.
Day 9 – 22 April: Queenstown → Twizel
Overnight in Twizel
Travel north through alpine landscapes via Lindis Pass with stops in the heritage precinct of Cromwell, and an alpine walk from Mount Cook Village. Continue to the milky waters of Twizel. Visit Twizel Medical Centre before stargazing beneath one of the clearest skies on Earth.
Day 10 – 23 April: Twizel → Timaru → Christchurch
Overnight in Christchurch
Head east through the Mackenzie Basin, stopping in Timaru to visit the Rural Health Academic Centre at Ashburton Hospital, where research and education meet practical rural medicine. Continue north across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. Enjoy a relaxed farewell dinner celebrating your journey and the people who make rural healthcare thrive.
Day 11 – 24 April: Christchurch
Your journey concludes with breakfast in Christchurch. Continue your travels or return home — carrying unforgettable memories of New Zealand’s landscapes, people, and rural health stories.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- 11 nights - 3.5/4 star accommodation
- 11 breakfasts (cooked or continental)
- 1 lunch
- 11 dinners (excluding alcohol)
- Comfortable coach travel with professional driver
TOURIST ATTRACTION INCLUSIONS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
