Terms and conditions

These terms apply to all tours operated by Takahē Adventures Limited (company number 9428397). Booking a tour means you accept them.

Booking and payment

Our standard day on each route can be booked and paid for online, with instant confirmation. Shorter, longer or customised days are arranged by enquiry and confirmed by email, with payment due before the booking is confirmed.

Prices

Prices are in New Zealand dollars, per person, and include GST. Bookings require a minimum of two guests.

If you cancel

Cancel more than 48 hours before your departure time, for any reason, and you receive a full refund. Within 48 hours, other than for weather-related reasons, we're unable to refund, as we hold the whole day for your group alone and cannot resell it.

Weather-related cancellations

Tours run year-round and in most weather.  If anything other than light rain or wind is forecast for your day, we'll contact you around 24 hours beforehand with an honest assessment, and you can choose whether to go ahead.  If you'd rather not, you get a full refund or a change of date, whichever you prefer — this applies even if we're inside the 48-hour window.

We might cancel if it’s unsafe

We will never run a tour when conditions make it unsafe. If we cancel for any reason — weather, road closures, vehicle problems, illness — you receive a full refund, or a new date if you prefer. That refund is the limit of what we owe you; we can't cover travel, accommodation or other costs arranged around the tour.

Changes on the day

Every tour is shaped around your group, and routes may change on the day for safety, weather, track closures or conservation reasons. We'll always discuss changes with you.

Your responsibility and safety

Our tours involve walking on unsealed tracks in the outdoors, sometimes near water and on uneven ground. You take part at your own risk and must follow your guide's instructions at all times, particularly around swimming, coastal areas and track conditions. Tell us before you book about any medical condition, injury, allergy or mobility need that might affect your day — we can accommodate a great deal, but only if we know in advance.

We may decline to continue with any guest whose conduct puts themselves, other guests or the environment at risk. No refund is given in that case.

Swimming

New Zealand's west coast beaches can have strong rips.  Swimming on all our tours is permitted only where and when your guide judges conditions safe, and that decision is final; you must not enter the water without your guide's agreement.  In all cases, swimming is done at your own risk.

Alcohol

Where a tour includes a wine tasting, guests must be 18 or over to consume alcohol. Our guide may decline to serve any guest.

Conservation

Kauri dieback is a serious threat to the forests we visit. You agree to use the cleaning stations we provide, to stay on formed tracks, and to follow our leave-no-trace practice. In Tāwharanui, you agree to follow the sanctuary's rules, including keeping gates closed and taking all rubbish out with you.

Wildlife

Every bird, including kiwi, is wild. Sightings can never be guaranteed and are not part of what you are paying for.

Insurance

We hold public liability insurance. We strongly recommend you hold your own travel insurance covering medical costs and trip disruption — we don't provide it.

Privacy

We use the details you give us only to arrange and run your tour. See our Privacy Policy.

Law

These terms are governed by New Zealand law, and the New Zealand courts have jurisdiction. Nothing here limits your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986.