New Zealand Trip 27th June to 12th July 2024
NB! Fill in the Registration Form and pay the initial deposit of 700 Euros on 19.2.2024 at the latest.
Kia ora! Come and join us on our trip to amazing New Zealand to attend the NZALT Biennial Conference and help our colleagues to celebrate their 50th anniversary. But before this quality PD, this trip will take you on adventures across the North Island through breathtaking vistas, luminous glowworms, and magical movie sets, into Indigenous Maori culture. The trip will go ahead only if we get 20 or more binding registrations. So read on for the provisional itinerary, and we hope that it will inspire you to join us for a memorable time!
The price includes
Flights Helsinki–Doha–Auckland–Doha–Helsinki
Meals on the flights
1 piece of luggage for the hold (max. 23 kg)
1 piece of hand-luggage (max. 7 kg)
Transport to and from the hotels and on the organised trips
13 nights’ accommodation in a shared twin room
7 days of trips (see the provisional itinerary)
Hotel breakfast 30th June to July 11th
5 x lunch, 2 x dinner
Enrolment in the NZALT/FIPLV Biennial ConferenceAccess to all of the conference sessions, catering and meals during the day + Gala Dinner on the 9th of July
New Zealand Goods and Services tax 15%
Price 5600 Euros per person
Supplement for a single room in New Zealand: 850 Euros/person
Supplement for a single room in Doha: 400 Euros/person
If more than 25 people take part, we will take a possible discount into account.
The prices are based on the price information, taxes and regulations applicable on 30.1.2024. If these change, we reserve the right to make corresponding changes to the prices.
Programme
Matka-agentit reserve to right to make changes to the programme.
| 27–28 June | Travel Days 27.6. Helsinki–Doha QR6121 at 17.10 – 23.55 28.6. Doha–Auckland QR0920 at 03.50 – 04.45 (29.6. in Auckland) updated schedule |
| 29 June Overnight in Auckland | Arrive in Auckland 04.00 – Transfer to hotel (rooms available c. 06.00) – Rest of the day at leisure (meals not included) |
| B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner | |
| 30 June Includes B + L Overnight in Auckland | Breakfast at hotel Waiheke Island Ferry Return with Private Group Scenic & Wine Tour https://www.newzealand.com/nz/waiheke-island/ – Short walk from the hotel to the ferry terminal – 40-minute scenic cruise to Waiheke Island – Commentated scenic tour of Waiheke Island learning about the history, wine, culture, and people – Wine tasting. – Two-course vineyard lunch + glass of wine. – Return by ferry to Auckland. – Dinner at own expense. |
| 1st July Includes B Overnight in Rotorua | Breakfast at hotel Depart Auckland for Waitomo Waitomo – Hobbiton – Rotorua https://www.newzealand.com/int/waitomo-caves/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobbiton_Movie_Set https://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/ – Waitomo caves are an ancient world of stunning cave formations, brought to life through stories of its features and legends. – Boat ride through the Arachnocampa Luminosa, thousands of magical glowworms, unique to New Zealand – Travel to Matamata and the Hobbiton movie set (tour with complementary beverage) – Lunch at own expense (Green Dragon Inn/Shires Rest Café) – Travel to Rotorua and check into hotel – Enjoy the Polynesian Spa and geothermal bathing – Dinner at own expense |
| 2nd July Includes B, L + D Overnight in Rotorua | Breakfast at the hotel A day of sightseeing at Rotorua https://www.nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz/ https://www.hellsgate.co.nz/experience https://rotorua.skyline.co.nz/things-to-do/gondola-rotorua https://www.mitai.co.nz/ – National Kiwi Hatchery – genuine conservation in action – Hell’s Gate Geothermal walk – erupting waters, an active mud volcano, land coral and a hot waterfall – Try your hand at Maori carving – Buffet lunch with great views at the Skyline Gondola – Time to relax and freshen up – Mitai Maori Cultural Experience – see people in traditional costumes, enjoy a cultural concert of songs and dances, complete with the fiery ‘Haka’ Maori war dance. – View the uplifting of the hangi dinner from the earth and enjoy a traditionally cooked hangi meal – Learn about traditional medicine and how the Maori lived in the past – More glowworms before the return to hotel |
| 3rd July Includes B + L Overnight in Wellington | Breakfast at the hotel Depart Rotorua for Wellington https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/huka-falls/ https://www.nationalpark.co.nz/ – Stop at Huka Falls and Lake Taupo – Tongariro National Park for the beautiful vistas – Lunch at a local farm – Rangitikei Farm – Mini farm tour where you can hand feed a range of friendly farm animals – Travel to hotel and check in – Dinner at own expense |
| 4th July Includes B + L Overnight in Wellington | Breakfast at the hotel A day of sightseeing at Wellington https://tours.wetaworkshop.com/ https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/10566 – Wellington Cable Car (one-way trip) – Weta Workshop Experience – get up close and personal to artistry and craftsmanship at the movie-magic world of Weta. – Te Papa Museum Highlights guided tour – natural environment, history, Maori culture – Dinner at own expense |
| 5th July Includes B + L Overnight in Auckland | Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to the train station Train ride on the Northern Explorer from Wellington to Auckland https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/northern-explorer-train/ – spectacular scenery and epic landscapes with a GPS triggered commentary – spacious reclined seats, panoramic windows, glass skylights, airconditioned carriages and on-board WCs – transfer to hotel and check in – Lunch – Dinner at own expense |
| 6th to 9th July Includes B + conference meals + Gala D Overnight in Auckland (4 nights) | Breakfast at the hotel every morning NZALT/FIPLV Biennial Conference https://nzalt2024.org/about/ – includes access to all of the conference sessions and catering and meals during the day – includes the Gala Dinner on the 9th of July |
| 10th July Includes B + D Overnight in Auckland | Breakfast at the hotel Half-day sightseeing tour in the morning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastion_Point https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parnell,_New_Zealand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_Tower_(Auckland) – Mission Bay, Bastion Point, Parnell Village – Afternoon at your leisure – 3-course dinner at Orbit at the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower |
| July 11th Includes B Overnight in Doha, Oryx Airport Hotel | Breakfast at the hotel Travel Day – Pack overnight things in hand luggage as main luggage will remain in transit – transfer from the hotel to the airport – Auckland–Doha QR0921 at 13.15–21.40 updated schedule – Make our way to the Oryx Hotel in Doha Airport |
| July 12th | Breakfast is not included, but it is easy to grab a bite to eat as we are in the airport. Travel Day – Doha–Helsinki QR6122 at 08.10–15.15 |
The time difference between Finland and New Zealand is +11 hours.
Registration
Reserve your place by filling in the Registration Form on 19.2.2024 at the latest. Registration is binding once you have paid the initial deposit of 700 Euros to the Association bank account on 19.2.2024 at the latest. Mark as message: Own Name + New Zealand 2024
Suomen englanninopettajat ry
Account: FI33 8000 1400 1691 74
BIC: DABAFIHH
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Amount | Deadline |
| Initial Deposit | 700 Euros | by 19.2.2024 |
| Second Instalment | 2000 Euros | by 24.3.2024 |
| Remainder | 2900 Euros | by 19.4.2024 |
Cancellations and Reimbursement
If we do not get the quota of 20 participants, and the trip is cancelled, your deposit will be returned to you. Payment of the deposit indicates a binding registration, but in case of cancellations, the table below shows any amount that could be reimbursed.
| Date of Cancellation | Amount Paid | Amount of Refund |
| 20.2. – 23.3.2024 | 700 Euros | No possible refund |
| 24.3. – 23.4.2024 | 2700 Euros | 500 Euros |
| 24.4.2024 and later | 5600 Euros | No possible refund |
Passport and Visa
You will need a passport that is still valid for 6 months after the trip and your own travel insurance. Please email a copy of your passport (photo spread) on 31.3.2024 at the latest to the office at english@suomenenglanninopettajat.fi.
In case of tourist tax, each participant must pay themselves – although to-date, there is none that we know of. Each participant must also pay for an electronic travel visa which can cost 17 or 23 NZD (c. 10 or 13 Euros). If you purchase the visa using a mobile application downloaded from Google Play or App. Store, the price is 17 NZD. You can apply for this visa using the link below and following the instructions there:
https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz
Once you have the visa, please also purchase the IVL (International Conservation and Tourism Levy) which costs 35 NZD = c. 20 Euros.
Health and Safety
Unfortunately, this trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. There is no easy access transport or accommodation, and the trips include walking.
Remember to have your vaccinations up to date. You can check out the requirements for New Zealand at: rokote.fi / thl.fi
Participation of Non-Members
It may be possible depending on numbers for you to have a non-member avec. In this case, the price of the trip will be 5700 Euros. If you are interested in having a non-member avec, please email the office at english@suomenenglanninopettajat.fi.
Responsible tour operator
Matka-agentit Oy. General terms and conditions for package travel (Yleiset matkapakettiehdot) and Matka-agentit additional qualifications and special conditions (https://matka-agentit.fi/hyva-tietaa/matkaehdot) are adhered to on the trip.
Co-operation
The Association of Teachers of English organises the trip in co-operation with TJS-opintokeskus.
Inquiries
The office of the Association: email english@suomenenglanninopettajat.fi and tel. 045 317 9731.
Registration has ended.