5-8 June 2025
This tour offers an insight into the role of the church and the early settlement of the Waikato region.
Led by Sir David Moxon; a former Archbishop of the Anglican Church of New Zealand and Anglican representative to the Roman Catholic Church in Rome between 2013-2017. David is well qualified to share his interest and academic knowledge relating to the relationships between the state, regional communities and the church.
Sites will include Taupiri, which was established as a Christian pa in 1838, Ngaruawahia area, the Rangiaowhia settlement, Orakau battle site, Turangawaewae Marae and St John’s (Te Awamutu), and St Paul’s (Hairini) churches.
Itinerary:
Thursday 5 June 2025:
– Make your own flight bookings/travel arrangements to/from Hamilton. If timing works, take the included airport shuttles to the hotel, subject to your arrival time.
– Accommodation for 3 nights at either Novotel Tainui or Ibis Tainui in Hamilton (see pricing below).
– Own arrangements for dinner.
Friday 6 June:
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Meet tour leader Sir David Moxon at Novotel Tainui foyer.
– Depart Hamilton by coach for the Waikato Tour visiting Waharoa near Matamata, which was an 1835 Anglican mission, school and subsequent battle site, plus other sites of note in the area.
– Morning tea in Morrinsville (own arrangements).
– Then to Taupiri Mountain and Ngaruawahia.
– Lunch provided in Ngaruawahia followed by a hosted visit to Turangawaewae Marae and time exploring the area and its historical significance.
– Return to Hamilton.
– Group dinner in Hamilton included.
Saturday 7 June:
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Visit Hamilton Pa sites: the 19th century sites of Kirikiriroa Pa and Miropiko Pa.
– Morning tea in Hamilton (own arrangements).
– Drive to Rangiaowhia and visit St Paul’s Church, Hairini, second oldest historic site from 1856.
– Lunch provided in Te Awamutu.
– Drive to the Orakau Battle Site.
– Visit St John’s Church in Te Awamutu, the oldest building still standing.and in continuous use in the Waikato.
– Return to Hamilton. Group dinner in Hamilton included
Sunday 8 June:
– Breakfast at the hotel then free time until you depart.
– Shuttle to Hamilton Airport included.
– End of Tour.
– Option to visit the Hamilton Gardens – own arrangements.
– Own flight arrangements from Hamilton.
Tour inclusions based on 25 guests:
– 3 nights’ accommodation including breakfast at either Novotel Tainui or Ibis Tainui in Hamilton
– 2 x lunches and 2 x dinners
– Escorted tours of historical sites, pa and marae in the Waikato by Sir David Moxon
– Koha donations to five sites
– Transport around Waikato by coach including return airport transfers
Travel times/distances:
Friday: approx. 140km round trip
Saturday: approx. 130km round trip
Price per person:
– twin share: $1190 per person staying at the Novotel Tainui (4-star hotel)
– Single Supplement: $495 for a single room
Or
– Price per person, twin share: $975 per person staying at the Ibis Tainui (3-star hotel)
– Single Supplement: $375 for a single room
Travel arrangements to/from Hamilton to be made by the individual. If you’d like help with flight bookings, please contact Katrina.
Price is based on a minimum 25 passengers, maximum 35 and includes GST.
A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your space on this tour. Balance payment 60 days prior departure. Deposit is refundable in case that minimum numbers for the tour are not reached. Once full payment is made, it is not refundable if the booking is cancelled within 60 days of departure. We recommend domestic travel insurance be taken out at time of booking to cover cancellation costs, please ask for a quote.
To book please contact:
Katrina Harding – NZ Travel Brokers Lower Hutt
Phone: 027 466 3900
Email: [email protected]
TAANZ Bonded Member