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.
North Island Experience Tour
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM - $4925.00
PER PERSON, SINGLE SHARE FROM - $6315.00
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 among the boutique vineyards of Martinborough, then step back in time at Stonehenge Aotearoa. Visit the CDC Clinic to learn about rural practice in this region before 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, join a guided Art Deco walking tour, and enjoy dinner at one of the region’s celebrated vineyard restaurants.
Day 3 - 16 April: Napier → Taupō
Overnight in Taupō
Travel through fertile plains to the lakeside haven of Taupō, set amid volcanic mountains and geothermal wonders. Meet staff at Taupō Hospital and representatives from Ngāti Tūwharetoa Iwi Health, hearing about innovative, community-driven care. Marvel at the power of Huka Falls, walk the lakeside trails, or soak in a natural hot pool as evening settles over the lake.
Day 4 - 17 April: Taupō → Te Kuiti → Raglan
Overnight in Raglan
Journey west through King Country heartland, venturing underground into the otherworldly Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Emerge to sunshine and drive to Raglan, a relaxed surf town known for creativity, sustainability, and endless ocean views. Visit the Raglan Medical Centre, wander boutique shops, and enjoy sunset fish & chips on the beach.
Day 5 - 18 April: Raglan → Matamata → Rotorua
Overnight in Rotorua
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 perhaps enjoy an evening cultural performance with hāngī (feast).
Day 6 - 19 April: Rotorua
Overnight in Rotorua
A full day 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 the towering Redwoods Forest, or relax at the tranquil Polynesian Spa. Rotorua combines adrenaline and serenity like nowhere else.
Day 7 - 20 April: Rotorua → Tauranga → Whangamatā → Whitianga
Overnight in Whitianga
Head north to the sun-drenched Bay of Plenty, stopping in Tauranga or 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 you can dig your own thermal pool at Hot Water Beach or stroll to the world-famous Cathedral Cove.
Day 8 – 21 April: Whitianga → Coromandel Town → Thames
Overnight in Thames
Follow one of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal drives to Coromandel Town, 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, reflecting on shared stories and the spirit of rural Aotearoa.
Day 9 – 22 April: Thames → Auckland
After breakfast, journey back to Auckland, stopping for a scenic viewpoint over the city. Arrive at Auckland International Airport mid-afternoon for departures or onward travel — carrying unforgettable memories of New Zealand’s landscapes, people, and rural health stories.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- 9 nights - 3.5/4 star accommodation
- 9 breakfasts (cooked or continental)
- 8 lunches
- 8 dinners (excluding alcohol)
- Comfortable coach travel with professional driver and tour manager
TOURIST ATTRACTION INCLUSIONS
South Island Experience Tour
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM - $6030.00
PER PERSON, SINGLE SHARE FROM - $7765.00
Duration: 11 days | Starts: Nelson | Finishes: Christchurch
Day 0 - 13 April: Fly Auckland → 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 → Takaka
Overnight in Takaka
Depart Nelson via the coastal village of Māpua, known for artisan galleries and harbourside cafés. Cross the dramatic Takaka 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 exploring the relaxed seaside township of Takaka.
Day 2 – 15 April: Takaka → Kaikōura
Overnight in Kaikōura
Journey along the rugged coast, passing through fertile farmlands and small fishing towns before arriving in Kaikōura, famed for its abundant marine life. Visit local seal colonies, take in views from the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, and 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 an optional whale-watching cruise or 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, stroll forest trails, and unwind in the famous thermal hot pools beneath the Southern Alps.
Day 4 – 17 April: Hanmer Springs → Greymouth
Overnight in Greymouth
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 through Charleston 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: Greymouth → 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 Fox Glacier, where ancient ice descends almost to sea level. Weather permitting, enjoy a short walk or optional helicopter scenic flight.
Day 6 – 19 April: Fox Glacier → Wānaka
Overnight in Wānaka
Travel through Haast Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage route showcasing waterfalls, lush beech forests, and turquoise pools. Stop at the Blue Pools Walk, a short stroll to crystal-clear mountain waters. 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 via the scenic Crown Range Road, stopping at the historic Cardrona Distillery for a tasting and light lunch. On arrival in Queenstown, meet staff at Lakes District Hospital, serving one of the fastest-growing rural populations in New Zealand. The evening is yours to explore - dine by the lake or take a sunset cruise 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.
Day 9 – 22 April: Queenstown → Tekapo
Overnight in Tekapo
Travel north through alpine landscapes via Lindis Pass. Visit Twizel Medical Centre, then continue to the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, set beneath the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Soak in the Tekapo Hot Pools and later join an optional stargazing experience beneath one of the clearest skies on Earth.
Day 10 – 23 April: Tekapo → Timaru → Christchurch
Overnight in Christchurch
Head east through the Mackenzie Basin, stopping in Timaru to visit the Rural Health Academic Centre, where research and education meet practical rural medicine. Continue north to Ashburton Hospital before reaching Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. Enjoy a relaxed farewell dinner celebrating your journey and the people who make rural healthcare thrive.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- 9 nights - 3.5/4 star accommodation
- 9 breakfasts (cooked or continental)
- 8 lunches
- 8 dinners (excluding alcohol)
- Comfortable coach travel with professional driver and tour manager
TOURIST ATTRACTION INCLUSIONS
