Fresh ideas keep travel wheels turning

JULIA WADE

When Covid-19 locked out international travellers, effectively grounding a Mangawhai travel broker, local agent Claudia Moir was forced to ‘reinvent herself’ to ensure her businesses survival.

Last year, Moir founded Mangawhai Adventures, a package tour aimed at bringing Kiwis from other parts of New Zealand to visit and explore the areas natural beauty and attractions, and more recently has created two expeditions for locals with The Mangawhai Travel Club.

Teaming up with local bus company Leabourn Passenger Service, Moir has created two adventures via coach, centred around golf, wine and food as well as sightseeing some of the upper North Island’s interesting spots.

‘Central North Island, Golf, Wine & Food’ is a 10-day tour tripping between Mt Maunganui, Taupo and Rotorua, stopping off at golf courses and vineyards as well as offering a chance to walk among tall redwoods, get close to some volcanic hotspots, and end with a visit to Hobbiton.

The 7-day tour, ‘Northland Golf & Wine’, encompasses a road trip through Dargaville, Paihia and up to Kerikeri, with time to sink a few white balls and taste a bit of wine along the way, as well as take part in guided walks, shop at farmers markets plus a cultural visit to Waitangi.

Moir also has two other tours in the planning stages; a 7-day Coromandel Experience for February 2022 and a three-week South Island tour for March 2022, with details to be released in the coming weeks.

A registered travel broker since 2012, Moir says travel has always been her passion.

“I believe that life is all about experiences, about special people we meet and special places we visit,” she says. “I love to be able to help make this happen by organising amazing trips for my clients. Now that international travel is very limited, I am very excited about the launch of our small group New Zealand coach tours, they are a great way to meet other like-minded locals and to experience what our beautiful country has to offer.”

n Interested in hitting the highway with a group of locals? Come along to the Mangawhai Travel Club information evening on Thursday June 10, 7pm at the Mangawhai Club. RSVP to Claudia on 021 431 589. For more information visit mangawhaitravelclub.co.nz.

“I believe that life is all about experiences, about special people we meet and special places we visit.”