Itinerary Highlights

Tickets to entire 2023 two-Test series
Return transfers to the stadiums
Comprehensive tour of New Zealand
Stay in four luxury accommodations
Includes Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Price Includes

Roundtrip flights in economy
Luxury accommodation with breakfast
Luxury airport & stadium transfers
Tickets for both Test Matches
Celebrity Hosted

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Overview

Follow Ben Stokes and his formidable team to New Zealand for the 2023 two-Test series, hosted by Mike Gatting OBE and John Lever MBE. Watch the first Test at Bay Oval Stadium on the stunning peninsula of Mount Maunganui, before heading to New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington for the second Test at the Basin Reserve.

Don’t miss a minute of the action with tickets to all five days of both Test matches and enjoy an informal evening of cocktails and canapés at both events, as well as transfers to and from the stadiums. In between the series, embark on a comprehensive tour of New Zealand, from the geothermal springs of Rotorua to fly fishing on Lake Taupo.

Add a round of golf to your itinerary at the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. This world-class golf course is set within the grounds of your 5-star hotel in Taupo.

Stay in three luxury accommodations across this 20-day tour, including flight and car transfers between destinations in New Zealand. Enjoy several featured tours, from wine-tasting on Waiheke Island to the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour; this is where sporting excellence meets endless adventure.

Accommodation

Park Hyatt Auckland

Situated on the water’s edge, the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel in Auckland comprises 195 stylish guest rooms. Offering expansive views across Wynyard Quarter's Lighter Basin and Waitemata Harbour, these contemporary suites are adorned with Maori accents, from custom designed tukutuku panels to rugs made from New Zealand Wool. The hotel has four restaurants and bars, a day spa, a 25-metre infinity pool and a full fitness centre.

Trinity Wharf Hotel

A unique Tauranga hotel with a relaxed ambience, Trinity Wharf is an over-water hotel located on Tauranga Harbour. Accommodation options range from superior guest rooms to a three-bedroom penthouse, and the hotel boasts an outdoor infinity edge swimming pool, as well as a fully equipped gym. Diners are guaranteed magnificent views over the water at the hotel’s restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and seasonally inspired menu.

Kinloch Manor

Set in rolling 254-hectare grounds on the shores of Lake Taupo, this ultra-modern luxury lodge with corresponding villas was designed by multi-award-winning architect, Andrew Patterson. The main lodge is realised in local schist stone and provides dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. With a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course on-site, a rejuvenating spa and fine-dining restaurant, guests can indulge in both passive and active leisure.

Sofitel Wellington

Surrounded by lush botanicals and ideally positioned in Wellington’s business and government hub, this refined hotel blends French ‘art de vivre’ principals with New Zealand culture. With a selection of elegant suites, each adhering to a calming vintage gold and bronze palette, the rooms are perfect for unwinding in after a day exploring the city. Dine at Jardin Grill to experience Sofitel chefs’ modern take on local flavours and specialities.

Itinerary

Day 1 | 13 Feb

Arrive in Auckland where a private car will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel and base for the next two nights: Park Hyatt. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, stroll around Auckland’s impressive Waitemata Harbours and enjoy its hip café culture. A melting pot of 190 different ethnicities, Auckland is the world’s biggest Polynesian city. This diversity is reflected in the lively arts and culture scene, a wide range of food and craft markets, vineyards, a hip cafe culture and outstanding restaurants. The dozens of islands of the Hauraki Gulf form a distinctive aspect of the Auckland landscape and provide a magnet for boaties, fishing enthusiasts and hikers.

Day 2 | 14 Feb

Set sail on a 90-minute cruise over to Waiheke Island on a luxury private launch. Sample the island’s produce on a Waiheke Island Wine & Lunch Tour, showcasing Rangihoua’s award-winning olive oil, as well as Mudbrick Vineyard’s Chardonnay and Viognier wines.

Day 3 | 15 Feb

Drive the two and half hours from Auckland to Tauranga, across the Hauraki Plains. Arrive in the sunny seaside city of Tauranga and visit the beautiful stretches of surf beach at Mount Maunganui, which have long attracted Kiwi holiday makers.

Day 4 – 8 l 16 – 20 Feb

Spend the next five days watching the first Test match at Bay Oval Stadium in Mount Maunganui. Return transfers to the stadium are provided, as well as a daily breakfast at your hotel: Trinity Wharf Hotel. This will be the first day-night Test to take place in New Zealand since the two sides met at Eden Park in 2018 Enjoy an informal cocktail party on the second evening of the Test match, where our Celebrity Hosts, Mike Gatting and John Lever, along with other guests, will provide an entertaining and lively debate about the test so far.

Day 9 | 21 Feb

Journey from Tauranga to magical Middle-earth and embark on a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. Travel across the Kaimai Ranges, that separates Waikato in the west from the Bay of Plenty in the east. There are plenty of lookout points and places to stop along this drive with views from the summit of the fertile Waikato Plains. As you make your way out of the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park and into the farmlands, you will start to approach the green rolling hills and lush green pastures of Alexander Farm, or most famously known, Hobbiton. A guide will escort you through the ten acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed. After the tour, enjoy a lavish feast, Lord of the Rings style, in The Millhouse. You will then say goodbye to The Shire and be transferred to nearby Taupo; a town of extraordinary natural beauty, Taupo boasts a vast sparkling lake, an ancient forest and steaming geothermal zones.

Day 10 | 22 Feb

From your base at Kinloch Manor, enjoy a day of leisure in Taupo. Play 18-holes at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, unwind with a treatment at the Solar Spa, or go fly fishing in this world-class lake fishing region.

Day 11 | 23 Feb

Today, make the one-hour drive from Taupo to Rotorua, passing the awe-inspiring Huka Falls as you go. In Rotorua, you will be greeted by your Maori guide for a guided walk through the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley. There will be stops on the way where points of interest such as bubbling mud pools, mineral springs, silica formations and shooting geysers will be shown to you. You will have the opportunity to visit the Kiwi Conservation Centre where you may see the nocturnal Kiwi, New Zealand's national bird. On returning to the model village it's various features will be explained to you before taking a look through NZMACI, the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, which gives an insight into Maori carving, weaving, customs and history. You will then be transferred Rotorua Airport for your onward flight to Wellington. This evening, enjoy a black tie event hosted by Cricket Wellington, a formal event with a host of Cricketing legends (TBC).

Day 12 – 16 l 24 – 28 Feb

Spend the next five days watching the second Test match at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. Return transfers to the stadium are provided, as well as a daily breakfast at your hotel: Sofitel Wellington. Enjoy an informal cocktail party on the second evening of the Test match, where our Celebrity Hosts, Mike Gatting and John Lever, along with other guests, will provide an entertaining and lively debate about the test so far. On the final night of the Test, we shall enjoy our Farewell Dinner at the exclusive Bellamys by Logan Brown, a truly unique setting on the third floor of one of the New Zealand Parliament buildings, known locally as the Beehive. The premium New Zealand cuisine is brought to you by Head Chef Joshua Ross, formerly of Logan Brown.

Day 17 | 01 March

You will be transferred to Wellington Airport to board your departure flight back to the UK.

New Zealand v England Two Test Platinum Tour

13 Feb - 01 March 2023 - Prices from £12,495 pp

Includes Flights, Accommodation, Transfers, Excursions & Cricket Tickets

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Optional Activities

At Spectate, we pride ourselves on tailoring live sport experiences to you, which is why we offer an array of unforgettable excursions alongside our tours. So, whether it’s exploring the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand after an exhilarating first Test match, or reliving the series highlights over a glass of Shiraz at a wine-tasting session, the Spectate team are here to make it happen!

During your stay in Taupo (21-23 Feb), guests have the option of adding a wide range of activities onto their itinerary: 18 Holes at Kinloch Golf Club, Half Day Private Guided Walk, Full Day Private Guided Tama Lakes Hike with Lunch, Full Day Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing with Lunch, Half Day Lake Fishing & Cruise, and Half or Full Day Guided Fly Fishing.

Let the Spectate team organise your perfect trip to New Zealand and add any of these thrilling activities on to your booking.

Why Choose Us?

Tailor-Made

Customise your experience to create something truly memorable

Add excursions to your trip
Travel at your own pace
Choose hotels, flights etc

Exclusivity

Get the best seats, closest to the action
Hosted tours with special celebrity guests
Stay in the most luxurious accommodation

Complete Service

Fully inclusive service
Expert hosts take care of you every step of the way
All transfers and fees are included

Heritage

For 30 years, we have crafted and delivered the highest quality, unforgettable experiences

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware

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