Waiheke Island History And Heritage Tour

We enjoyed our tour with Dell on Waiheke Island today. She was passionate, knowledgeable and tailored our tour to our interests.

We had a wonderfull day. Justine was waiting for us. She was the perfect guide. She was very flexibel. She could tell us a lot about the island and the history. We did some amazing strolls. I brougt even a memory from the island. We bougt some beautifull pounamu earrings, thanks to Justine. The Island is a detour worthed.

Dell (and Fergus) were an absolute DELIGHT. Full of information on everything from local plants and birds to the Māori culture, history and current day practices. We hit a variety of sites and I really felt like I got a complete picture of the island. Plus, Dell and Fergus were curious and full of fun, making the day a super pleasant one!

We had a wonderful day exploring beautiful Waiheke Island on the History & Heritage Tour with Dell from Terra & Tide Tours. Dell was an absolutely fantastic guide – warm, knowledgeable and engaging. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the island’s rich history and heritage, and came away with a much greater understanding and appreciation of its Māori settlement and cultural significance. The sights and scenery were simply magnificent, with breathtaking views around every corner. It was such an enjoyable and memorable day, made all the more special by Dell’s passion and knowledge. We would highly recommend Dell and Terra & Tide Tours to anyone wanting to discover the history, beauty and stories of Waiheke Island. A truly wonderful experience!

We had a delightful tour with Justine. She was warm and personable and informative. She customized the tour to meet our specific needs and was fun to chat and laugh with. 20 stars.

This was a very informative tour of Waiheke Island and the Māori culture. Dell was a great guide and made our day special. We went to beautiful lookouts, beaches, hikes and cultural sites. We opted to do a picnic lunch at the beach and really enjoyed that time. During the day Dell gave us a lot of information on the medicinal use of the plants we were seeing and all the birds. Stopped for olive oil tasting and it was very good. Highly recommend this tour and Dell.

Dell is the absolute best! She was so personable and had such a deep knowledge of Waiheke and Mew Zealand as a whole. When she found out that my wife were arts and culture fanatics, she pivoted the tour to take us to some specific sites that she thought would be most of interest to us. It was such a treat. We were so sad to leave at the end of the day and hope that we can come back sometime! I would recommend this excursion (and Dell, specifically) to all of our family and friends!

We had a wonderful tour of Waiheke Island with our guide Dell. She was incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and always happy to tailor the itinerary at a moment’s notice. The whole experience was loads of fun, and I would highly recommend Dell for any adventures you’re planning on the island.

We had a great day with Dell our guide. We learned about the Māori history including information about local plant medical uses. As an extra. Dell brought us to an olive oil tasting.

My husband and I shared our tour with one other couple, whom we didn’t know. Dell met us at the ferry and began by explaining the Māori custom of introducing oneself by explaining one’s lineage, so that’s how we began our time together. Dell’s openness and good vibes set the tone for the day, and we proceeded to have a marvelous time with her and the other couple. We learned a lot about Waiheke Island, about NZ culture and ecology, about Māori, and about each other. Dell offered us choices throughout the day, which made us feel welcomed and cared for. We chose to taste wine rather than olive oil, to have lunch at Mudbrick Winery rather than a picnic, and to stop for ice cream later in the afternoon. It was a wonderful day. I highly recommend Terra & Tide, and Dell specifically, for touring Waiheke.

Maria was an excellent guide she personable fun and highly knowledgeable about the island and its culture.

My husband and I absolutely loved the Waiheke history and heritage tour. We had thought we had booked a walking tour but this provided us the opportunity to see much more of the Island. Dell was so pleasant and knowledgeable of the history of the Māori people in the area. Enjoyed a wine tasting and a picnic lunch on a local beach as well! Thanks Dell for a lovely day!

A 30-minute ferry ride took us to Waiheke Island where Cindy picked us up for the tour. During the short orientation at the ferry terminal she figured out we enjoyed hiking, so she modified her plan for us. We toured the east end of the island, with vistas from high points. She was well-prepared with stories about Maori and European settlers, the transformation of the landscape over the last 2 centuries, and explanations about wildlife. We walked through forests and along beaches, with a stop to pick up a picnic lunch along the way.

We loved our Waiheke Island Heritage & History tour with the magnificent Dell! She was fun, knowledgeable, and intent on showing us the best that the island has to offer. We would highly recommend this tour and we encourage everyone to request Dell as your guide. She is awesome!

My experience with Justine was very impressive. She is very knowledgeable, kind, considerate and flexible. We enjoyed a diverse day including observing and exploring highlight locations of the beautiful island. Justine displayed a deep understanding of the traditions, culture and history. Her presentation was very interesting and informative. I would highly recommend Justine for a tour of the island...She also took us to a fabulous restaurant on the beach. It was beautiful, romantic an deicious. Can't say enough what a wonderful day I experienced with Justine! Barry Fishman

We had a private tour of Waiheke Island with our guide Dell. She was a fantastic guide and was very knowledgeable about the island and its history. Dell is a native of the area, and her pride and love for the island were obvious. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Dell.

We went on the history and culture tour of Waiheke Island. Everything went exactly as planned from the ferry ride to meeting our guide Dell at the dock. We were on the island from 10am - 4pm. Dell has a wealth of knowledge about the island and the Māori people that she shared with us. We felt very cared for throughout the day. All our needs and questions were met. We are so glad we had this tour.

Dell showed us all around Waiheke Island and did a fantastic job. She was very knowledgable, personable, considerate and fun. She was especially good at introducing us to the Maori culture which was a perfect start to our New Zealand journey. I think Dell would be a fine guide for all groups of all ages!

Dell conducted our tour and it was just amazing. She did a great job of showing us around your island, explaining the history of the Māori people, and taking us to a lovely wine tasting and lunch.

Had a great day touring the island with Dell. She knew so much about the local history. We had a lovely lunch at Batch..All in all it was a successful day. Carol and Sean

A day tour to learn about the history and heritage of the island. Interesting and fun. Tailored to what we wanted to see too.

Dell is an amazing and knowledgeable guide with a delightful sense of humor. Our private tour of 6 hours was spectacular!

5 A big thank you to Jasmina for a wonderful tour – it was a great opportunity to learn so much while also enjoying warm and genuine human contact. Jasmina shared stories with passion and ease, making the whole route come alive and truly engaging. What I especially appreciated was that it wasn’t just a list of facts, but inspiring details and narratives that allowed me to experience everything more deeply. The driving distance was comfortable, and the walk was pleasant – just enough to stretch the legs without getting tired. The food was delicious, and the olive oil tasting was a true discovery with unexpected flavor nuances that gave the whole experience a special touch. Overall, it was professional, heartfelt, and enriching – a tour I will definitely remember and recommend to anyone who wants not just to see, but to truly experience.

I highly recommend a visit to Waiheke when visiting Auckland. It is a spectacular place filled with beautiful views We spent the day with our guide Dee who was a lovely person and fantastic guide. We learned all about the Māori culture (Dee was super knowledgeable) and we even did a little bit of wine tasting. The ferry ride to and from is very enjoyable and pretty quick.

If you're lucky enough to spend a day on Waiheke Island, do yourself a favor and go with Terra & Tide—and if you can, ask for Justine. My husband Phil and I had the good fortune of touring with her yesterday, and I have to say: it was one of those rare experiences where you walk away not just wowed by the scenery, but enriched on every level. Justine isn't just a guide—she's a lifelong learner in action. (And believe me, I know a bit about lifelong learning—I teach the neuroscience behind it!) She brought an astonishing depth of knowledge to everything we encountered, from native flora and fauna to Māori culture, history, and art. And the way she wove it all together—cultural, botanical, ecological, historical—was nothing short of masterful. You could tell she was deeply rooted in the land and its stories, especially as a native of nearby Great Barrier Island. That personal connection made everything feel authentic and deeply human. The tour itself was beautifully structured. Yes, the catalog says you'll see stunning sea views, native birds, ancient pā sites, and traditional uses of plants—but what you really get is the sense that you’re being invited into a living classroom with nature as the chalkboard and Justine as the inspired teacher. We learned so much, yet it never felt like a lecture. Justine made it feel like a conversation among curious minds. The lunch stop? Delicious. The native bush walk? Peaceful and full of unexpected wonder. And the views—oh, the views. Jaw-dropping panoramas that reminded us just how glorious this planet can be. Terra & Tide is clearly a company that values quality, integrity, and depth. They don’t just hire guides—they bring on board people who embody the spirit of exploration and respect for place. Justine made the day unforgettable, and we’re so grateful. Highly, wholeheartedly recommended. —Barbara Oakley Professor of Engineering & Neuroscience Educator (And proud, awe-struck tourist on Waiheke Island)

Justine our tour guide was amazing! Highly recommended tour! We had the wine and olive oil tasting tours and they do ship worldwide!

We had a wonderful day touring Waiheke Island with Justine our guide. She shared a wealth of knowledge on the island’s history and culture while also blending bush walks with both olive and wine tasting events. We would highly recommend Terra and Tides, and especially Justine as a tour guide.

Dell was a very pleasant and informative guide. Knowledgeable about the Māori and local customs. Picked some beautiful view sites.

Great personalized tour of Waiheke Island. Saw a bit of everything and learned about the people who were the original occupants of the island.. Much better than being a a bus all day.

This tour is a good overview of the Maori history on New Zealand and their culture. It also provides an broad introduction to the scenic parts of New Zealand. Our guide was Cindy and she was excellent

Our guide, Dell, was great. She was very enthusiastic and well informed of the island’s history. We visited Mudbrick winery and a lovely local restaurant

We toured the island with Justine as our guide. She was fantastic. Deeply knowledgeable about Māori culture and history and led us through wonderful nature trails and beaches. She accommodated our interests and pace with a gentle sense of humor. We highly recommend any tour with her. Thanks, Justine!!

Our guide, Dell, was amazing. She was knowledgeable, flexible, and a joy to spend time with. She spent a few minutes understanding what was most important to us before we set out, and offered options all along the way. We were blessed with a beautiful day, so took a nature walk. Woven into the walk (and, in fact, the whole day) was information about the history, culture, and language of the Maori. It was an enjoyable day, time well spent.

We were met on time at the dock by Justine. She is friendly and knowledgeable about the island’s history and environment. She was very respectful of the Māori and their traditions. Justine is well known on the island so we were well taken care of at the restaurant and winery we visited. She explained that Terra and Tide is a woman-owned business and the owner is active in promoting the healthy environment of the island, helping to plant native trees and eradicate invasive species. I recommend Terra and Tide and Justine to anyone visiting Auckland.

Very professional. Dell was waiting for us at the ferry terminal as promised and treated us to a fully personalized tour of the island. By the end of the day we felt like we were visiting with a close friend.

Our guide Cindy was very knowledgeable and most of all FUN!!! We had a fantastic day touring the island and exploring some out of the way places. As well as some Wine!🍷

Our guide, Justine, provided my wife and me with a wonderful tour of Waiheke Island. It was a combination of spectacularly scenic vistas and insight into Maori history and culture. Our day started and ended at the ferry. It included short hikes with explanation of local flora and fauna, wine tasting, and lunch (on our own). Having a "local" guide you around her island is the best way to learn about and appreciate this special place.

Our guide Delle was fantastic. You could feel her love and passion for the island and its history. She adjusted where needed for us to have a lively lunch at Batch. Would recommend the Batch board.

We went on a hike with Justine and Gabrielle while visiting Waiheke Island, and it was a fantastic experience. The amount of information about the island's history was both amazing and engaging. The hike was intense at times, but everyone who joined thoroughly enjoyed it. The thought and care put into the tour were impressive. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the island's history. I also appreciated how the tour highlighted eco-friendly practices and efforts to preserve the island’s trees, animals, birds, and the broader New Zealand environment.

Justine was an excellent guide and tailor made the day to suit my needs. We went on a short bush tour, went to town where I got my daughter and her friend a lovely gift. We tasted olive oil and Justine taught me all about the history and culture of Waiheke. I would totally recommend this trip. Justine also arranged the weather, the sun shone all day. Thank you

Had an amazing day touring Waiheke Island with Justine. She was very knowledgeable & pure joy as my guide. Highly recommend.

The Waiheke Island History and Heritage Tour was a fabulous way to start our vacation. Gabrielle and team are extremely knowledgable about all aspects of NZ and Waiheke Island in particular. We learned a ton about the history, people and culture. And in particular, I found the information on the environmental conservation aspects fascinating. It was such a pleasure to have a guide that was both knowledgeable and passionate. I highly recommend a visit to Waiheke Island and a tour with Gabrielle and Terra & Tide!

Best part of my Auckland was my tour of Waiheke Island! Loved the art coastline hike, visit to Piritahi Marae, picnic at Oneroa Beach, wine tasting at Mudbrick, olive oil tasting at AllPress and shopping. We did a hike at Whakanewha Park, saw the historic maori living sites. Justine was the BEST guide we had so much fun. As a local resident she had so many insights and history. Definitely need to go back for a stay! Thanks Justine & Terra Tide!

Our day with Nicky was wonderful! We were excited to find out it was a private tour! Nicky drove us all around the island and showed us so much in a day! We stopped at a vineyard for lunch which was superb and enjoyed a wine tasting at another vineyard! After the tour she gave us some recommendations to stay on the island for a drink so we did and took a later ferry back to Auckland. We loved the island. Nicky was friendly and informative. We couldn’t have had a better start to our time in Auckland.

I went on a great tour with Justine. She was very knowledgeable and very pleasant. We saw the important Maori places, and learned so much about the history and the culture of the Maori. We also saw beautiful beaches, an art gallery and where people live on the island. There was a winetasting and a wonderful lunch. I would recommend this tour highly.

Our guide Justine did an amazing job of showing us around Waiheke Island and introducing us to the Māori culture. We enjoyed learning about the history and seeing the beautiful island. Justine was happy to make accommodations for the group (2 separate small families). We had a delicious lunch and enjoyed both an olive oil tasting and a wine tasting. 10/10 would recommend this tour and Justine!

This excursion was one of our favorites during our trip. We were half an hour late because our college-age kids slept in and missed the ferry schedule and Justine was very understanding and patient to wait for us (as was the other family who was on the excursion). Justine made sure to give us historical, wildlife and cultural information so we walked away learning and not just riding around seeing gorgeous sights (although that was wonderful in and of itself). My family was tempted to sleep in and miss this excursion as it was our last one and we were all happily exhausted from sightseeing but everyone was very glad they didn't. Highly recommend.

The tour was absolutely amazing! Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. She explained the local cultural experience in a way that was both informative and meaningful. We loved the combination of walking along beautiful paths, while also experiencing the wineries, olive oil tasting and shops combined.

Dell was a great tour guide - very knowledgeable re Māori history, the trees and plants, and the local wines. She made a special stop at our request so we could try out their beloved Hokey Pokey Ice Cream.