About Us
New Zealand Private Tours
New Zealand Private Tours is a Queenstown-based, family-run travel company created by Kathy and Wayne Hansen. We live here, we work here, and we know how special it is to explore New Zealand with people who understand the roads, the seasons, the small local stops, and the little details that can turn a good holiday into an unforgettable one.
For us, private touring is not just about getting from one place to another. It is about travelling well, taking time to enjoy the landscape, hearing the stories behind the places you visit, and feeling looked after from the first idea through to the final day of your journey.
We create personalised New Zealand holidays for travellers who want local knowledge, thoughtful planning, and a travel experience designed around them. Whether it is a relaxed South Island escape, a luxury lodge journey, a family holiday, or a longer multi-day itinerary across both islands, we help shape the journey so it feels seamless, comfortable, and genuinely personal.
New Zealand Private Tours is part of KWH Journeys, our family of travel brands, which also includes Remarkable Scenic Tours, New Zealand Package Holidays, Australian Custom Tours, and New Zealand Luxury Travel Agents. Together, our brands allow us to offer everything from intimate Queenstown day tours to fully bespoke New Zealand, Australia, and multi-country holidays.
Meet The Team
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You could say the warmth in Kathy’s welcome is legendary. Helpful and friendly, she’s a self-confessed people person, who loves problem solving and making connections. This makes her a whizz at creating unique private tours with experiences to suit her guests.
Her extensive travels make her especially good at relating to what people from diverse cultures want from their tour. In fact, she delights in sharing cultural experiences with guests – from learning how to Bollywood dance (in Glenorchy, of all places!) with Indian guests, to sharing food with guests from the Philippines (although she draws the line at Balut/duck embryo).
“ You just can’t beat a local recommendation; some things aren’t mentioned in the guide books. We had an experience like this in Iceland when a local told us about a secret hot-water mineral pool. It took a lot of searching, but in the end we found it. The water was warm and crystal clear, the kids were so excited and it was a real highlight.
It’s that sense of wonder and inclusion that we want to recreate for our guests.”
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Wayne is a born-and-bred South Islander, so his knowledge of the Central Otago region goes way back, and his passion for the region is infectious. He’s the master of making people feel at ease with his relaxed and positive nature, and he’s famous for his dad jokes.
As past President of the Queenstown Photography Club, Wayne’s also happy to help you get the perfect photo – he has great insight how to best capture the magic of our spectacular scenery, whether you prefer to be behind the lens, or in front of it.
“The best memories are those where you connect with local people, where you’re a person, not just a number. We’ll always remember one Jamaican trip where our taxi driver took us to a beach, and introduced us to a lady who cooks for the homeless. We met some amazing, friendly locals and shared a drink with them, while they told us about their lives.
We want our guests to leave each tour feeling not only that they’ve had a great day out, but that they’ve made some new friends.”
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Jen is a New Zealand travel specialist with over a decade of local experience, proudly based in the heart of Central Otago’s renowned wine country. Having lived in the region for 10 years, she brings in-depth local knowledge and a passion for showcasing the very best of Aotearoa. Jen specialises in crafting personalised itineraries that highlight New Zealand’s diverse landscapes, unique culture, and exceptional experiences, with a particular focus on boutique travel, wine regions, and scenic journeys.
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Hello! I'm Sheena Tunnicliff, originally from the UK and now proudly calling New Zealand home. Although I've only been living in New Zealand for the past two half years, I've fallen completely in love with this beautiful country and have already enjoyed countless adventures exploring its spectacular landscapes, vibrant communities, and hidden gems.
With more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, travel has always been more than a career for me — it's a passion. My journey began working aboard cruise ships around the world, giving me firsthand experience of incredible destinations, cultures, and travel experiences.
Over the years, I've owned and operated a successful travel agency in Perth, Western Australia, and have helped thousands of clients plan memorable holidays. My extensive background includes cruises, escorted tours, luxury travel, independent journeys, and tailor-made itineraries.
Today, I am delighted to be part of the New Zealand Private Tours team, helping visitors discover the very best of Aotearoa. As someone who has explored much of New Zealand myself, I love sharing the places, experiences, and local insights that make this country so special.
Whether you're seeking breathtaking scenery, unique cultural experiences, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I'm here to help create an unforgettable New Zealand journey you'll treasure for years to come.
I look forward to helping you experience the magic of New Zealand. 🇳🇿✨