Planning a once-in-a-lifetime New Zealand adventure? Here’s how the food experiences on a MoaTrek tour come together—relaxed, authentic and easy.
We organise the special bits: Kiwi home hosted lunches with our friends around the country, a Marlborough winery tasting & long lunch as well as a picnic or two in special places. You enjoy the company, the stories and the flavours – no logistics required.
In other regions (like Central Otago) you’ll have free time to follow your taste buds—think local cellar doors, cafés and bistros your Kiwi Guide can recommend – but meals there aren’t included. For exactly what’s covered on your trip, check the What’s Included tab on your chosen tour page.
- Signature moments we organise: Kiwi home hosted lunches (e.g., Akaunui Homestead, LongHill Station, Lake Tarawera) and a Marlborough winery tasting & lunch.
- Where you can explore independently: Central Otago and other stops with great local dining options.
- Relaxed pacing: small groups, unhurried meals, stunning settings.
- Dietary needs: easy – tell us in advance and we’ll sort it with our hosts and the hotels for breakfast (which is included every day).
Ready to dive deeper? Scroll on for our hosted lunch experiences and the Marlborough Winery Lunch & Tasting, plus tips for tasting your way through other regions at your own pace.
South Island Favourite Experiences
On the South Island our favourite experiences were the winery luncheon, the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle to the hike, and ESPECIALLY the private lunch at Akaunui Farm Homestead. We really appreciated the suggestions for restaurants, and activities to see during our downtime.
Nancy & Jeff, Kakapo 21-day North & South Island tour, March 2025
Home Hosted Lunches
There’s nothing we love more than sitting down with friends around the country and sharing a proper Kiwi lunch.
It’s relaxed, local, and a real window into life here. We handle the planning and the timing — you just bring
your appetite and a good story for the table.
Akaunui Homestead — country hospitality, straight from the garden
Set just south of Ashburton, Akaunui is the classic New Zealand country welcome. Di and Ian open their beautiful homestead and gardens to us for a long, unhurried lunch — think farm-fresh produce, hearty mains, and a glass that never seems to sit empty for long.
Why guests love it
- Garden-to-table dishes from Di’s kitchen, ingredients often picked from the garden that morning.
- Time to wander the lawns and chat with our hosts (and usually a friendly farm dog or two).
- An easy taste of South Island life before we roll on towards Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Featured on all MoaTrek small group tours; your guide takes care of the details so you can relax into it.
Te Wairoa Buried Village / Lake Tarawera — hosted lunch with the whānau
On Lake Tarawera we’re welcomed for a private hosted lunch with our friends David, Karen and Tracy connected to the Buried Village. You’ll hear living stories of Māori history and the famous 1886 eruption, told by descendants of the original guides — the perfect blend of kai (food) and kōrero (stories).
Why guests love it
- Genuine manaakitanga (hospitality) and a warm, personal welcome.
- Fascinating links to local history and the legendary Guide Sophia.
- A relaxed lunch cruise in a peaceful setting — plenty of time to chat and ask questions.
A favourite on our North Island routing around Rotorua; perfect for food lovers and culture fans alike.
LongHill Station — farewell lunch on a working high-country farm
Crossing the Southern Alps into the Canterbury high country for our Kakapo and Kaka tours, we drop into LongHill Station for a special farewell lunch with Kate and Duncan Calder. It’s a brilliant finale: wide open views, a peek into life on a sheep and cattle station, and the kind of generous table that keeps everyone smiling all afternoon.
Why guests love it
- Honest, seasonal farm lunch in true high country surroundings.
- Stories of station life from your hosts – ask anything about farming in New Zealand.
- An uplifting way to wrap up the trip together before finishing in Christchurch.
Featured near the end of our Kākāpō and Kākā tours; timing’s sorted – you just enjoy a last long lunch with new friends.
Marlborough Winery Lunch & Tasting – Sauvignon Blanc country
Sun on the vines, a long table under the pergola, and that first crisp sip of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – this is the easy, wine-country afternoon everyone dreams about. We take care of the bookings and timing; you settle in for a relaxed tasting and a generous lunch.
Why guests love it
- Guided tasting that’s friendly, not fussy – start with signature Sauvignon Blanc, then explore aromatic whites or a Pinot Noir if you fancy.
- A leisurely, sit-down winery lunch with seasonal platters and local produce (seafood and garden-fresh salads are stars here).
- Space to chat with our local host about vintages, vineyards, and what makes Marlborough special.
- Unhurried pacing and beautiful vineyard views — plenty of time for photos and a wander.
Good to know
- What’s included: All itineraries experience a hosted tasting and relaxed winery lunch at a Marlborough vineyard.
- Tastings are optional: Non-drinkers are warmly welcomed and well catered for with excellent food and non-alcoholic options.
- Dietary needs: Easy — we’ll be in touch before the tour about dietary needs and will coordinate with the kitchen on your behalf.
- Getting bottles home: Ask at the cellar door about shipping or travel-safe packing — the team will point you in the right direction.
- Accessibility & pace: Mostly flat, easy walking around the cellar door and terraces; we allow plenty of time so nothing feels rushed.
For every palate
Not just Sauv Blanc lovers — Marlborough also shines with aromatics (think Pinot Gris and Riesling) and elegant Pinot Noir from nearby valleys.
If you prefer beer or cider, say the word and we’ll steer you to a great local alternative.
Touring New Zealand’s food and wine regions
On a New Zealand tour with MoaTrek, you’ll journey through some of the country’s most celebrated food and wine producing regions.
- Enjoy a guided visit through a kiwifruit orchard in the fruit basket of the Bay of Plenty near the beginning of your Kākāpō or Kākā tour.
- At the tip of the South Island, Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc is famous for being amongst the best in the world.
- Fresh seafood is available in abundance in Kaikoura.
- Further south we spend four nights in Queenstown and Wanaka; Otago towns known for their pinot noir and hearty lamb, salmon and venison.
- Don’t miss sampling some of the local stone fruit produce – Central Otago’s cherries, apricots and nectarines are incredible!
Craft beers and world-famous wines
New Zealand is home to a number of craft beer microbreweries, producing more than 250 styles of beer. Whether you prefer a lager, a pilsner or dark ale, there is sure to be a lovingly crafted brew on offer for every palate. If you’re not sure what the local specialty is, don’t hesitate to ask your Kiwi guide – they’ll be only too happy to recommend their favourite!
Kiwis are discerning when it comes to wine, and different regions are famous for different varieties. Pinot Noir is best sourced from Central Otago and is known for its fragrant intensity. If you’re looking for some of the best Sauvignon Blanc you’re likely to ever come across, don’t miss anything from Marlborough.
Connections with Locals
We extensively covered a vast area of the North and South Islands and experienced so many wonderful cultural activities. Connections with wineries, having lunch at the Akaunui Farm, the Kiwi farm, the Walmsley family out on a boat on Lake Tarawera are just a few personal adventures that had we not been joined to this tour we probably never would encounter just travelling through on our own.
Loretta, Kakapo 21-day North & South Island tour, February 2025
Food & Wine FAQs
What food experiences are included on a MoaTrek tour?
Hosted home lunches and a winery tasting and lunch are included on all itineraries.
We also dine at favourite local spots your guide knows well. Inclusions vary by tour, so for the latest
details please check the What’s Included tab on each tour’s page.
Does MoaTrek include wine tastings or winery lunches?
Yes—all itineraries feature a relaxed tasting and winery lunch, in Marlborough.
Non-drinkers are very welcome and well catered for.
How does MoaTrek handle dietary requirements (gluten-free, vegetarian, allergies)?
Tell us in advance and we’ll sort it with our hosts and restaurants.
We regularly cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and other needs. See our general FAQ ‘What about special dietary requirements?’.
Are meals included in the tour price?
Some meals are included, others are left open so you can follow your appetite.
Several hosted home lunches and a winery lunch and tasting are typically included on applicable days. For a clear list of included meals, check the What’s Included tab on each tour page.
What’s a Kiwi home hosted lunch and why is it special?
It’s lunch at a local’s place—unhurried, generous, and full of real conversation.
Think garden-fresh salads, hearty mains, and stories from your hosts about life in their corner of New Zealand. It’s a favourite MoaTrek experience!
Is alcohol included at hosted lunches?
Hosted lunches focus on great home cooking; alcohol may or may not be included depending on the host and tour. There are always excellent non-alcoholic options available.
What is typical group dining like on MoaTrek?
Relaxed and social – small groups mean easy conversation and no fuss.
Your Kiwi Guide handles bookings and timing for the included meals, and there’s always time for photos and a yarn with the hosts. When meals are included, we’ll tell you; otherwise, you’re free to choose – your Kiwi Guide will have great recommendations everywhere you go. Details live in the
What’s Included tab on each tour page.
What should I budget for meals that aren’t included, and what’s dining like in New Zealand?
Prices vary by region and style—use our Cost of Eating Out guide for up-to-date sample prices and tips. It covers cafés, pubs and restaurants, plus handy notes for travellers.
Ready to taste your way around New Zealand the easy, MoaTrek way? Have a chat with our friendly team and we’ll help you pick the right tour, walk you through what’s included, and answer any foodie questions.
Get in touch and let’s start planning.
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