New Zealand 2025

Let's do this! Arapawa Island, New Zealand, here we come! Mark your calendars, April 4 - 13!

We are going to Japan October 4 through October 12, 2024 but I know some of y'all have been holding out for the gorgeous abalone pearls in New Zealand! So, let's go!! Mark you calendars: April 4 - 13!

We will start in Auckland on the North Island, travel south to Wellington, then take a ferry through the sound to the Arapawa Island. Choose your own flight to Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand, flight is not included in the trip price. And I know many of us originate from all over!

Here is a quick run down on our trip... still a work in pregress:
 
Friday, April 4            Leave USA
Saturday, April 5        on flight
Sunday, April 6           Arrive in Auckland
Monday, April 7           Explore Aukland 
Tuesday, April 8           Auckland to Rotorua hot springs
Wednesday, April 9      Rotorua to Wellington to Arapawa (pearl farm)
Thursday, April 10         Arapawa (pearl farm)
Friday, April11               Arapawa to Blenheim - explore Blenheim
Saturday, April 12          Blenheim – Marlborough wine tour
Sunday, April 13            Fly back to Aukland and onward to the USA

I have chosen to fly through Houston. They have direct flights to Auckland! I will leave April 4 and arrive in Auckland and the 6th and return April 12th to the USA! I would love for you to fly with me! Contact me for my exact flight details and seat!

Some folks are already planning a stop in Hawaii! I love it! Make this trip your own! 

Because so many of you have flight credits and points, this time you are welcome to book your on flight! I am also happy to assist you although I priced this trip not including flights!As I am writing this... there is a sale on Air NewZealand!!

What does this price include? All accommodations, flights and ferries within the country. We will have accommodations at the pearl farm and stay tuned for more info on what meals are included. But plan on having spending money for meals and pearls!!

I am so incredibly excited about this trip! When I was first invited to this pearl farm, I was amazed. I told them it is impossible to nucleate abalones. And, they agreed! But, they do it anyway! Abalones are hemophiliacs. So, nucleating them can cause they to die. So, this pearl farm, located at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, creates mabe pearls in these abalone sea snails.

The colors are out of this world gorgeous!! They are stunning! I am so excited to see this process and these pearls! 

We will spend a couple of days in Aukland before we travel south to Wellington, take the ferry across from Wellington to Picton! And Picton is where you can then take a another boat ride to Arapawa island... which will be our home for a few nights as we explore this pearl wonderland!

But pearls are not the only thing we have planned...

We will explore Auckland! And the harbor front of Wellington. We can go diving in the surging waters off the pearl farm and relax on the private beach. We can also fish. We are going to take a stop in the wine region of New Zealand's South Island and take a day cruise through the Sound!

But, of course, we will see some of the world's most gorgeous pearls! And see them harvested firsthand!! We will see and experience things you have never experienced before. Having run these trips for over a decade let me tell you... each one is magical!

We will experience a touch of history.. as we learn about the Arapawa Island pioneers with references from Mãori oral history, legends and artwork to the diaries recording Captain Cook's observations when he visited this place. We will visit the school cottage, the old lighthouse keeper's house (now the shop), and the Arapawa Island lighthouse. There is a historic whaling station, and a WW2 gun emplacement.

It will be an immersive experience of pearls, culture, the ocean and fun. All with your favorite Pearl Girls and your fearless Pearl Girls leader, India Rows! I am so excited!!

xoxoxo

India

Please note, the trip is nonrefundable and you must buy your own trip insurance. I shopped around and I believe one of the more affordable is the company Air New Zealand recommends. You can see the plan here: 

https://insurance.airnewzealand.com/

What Do We Do When We Get There?
I like to give us a solid day to relax and recuperate after we arrive! We will get some time to explore the city of Auckland however I am excited to explore the nearby hot springs of Rotorua. Our main travel will be done via plane and, once we get closer to the pearl farm, boats! We will eat fabulous food, drink wine, get to know the culture and get to know the farm, too! 

Meals?
Breakfast will be included at our hotels and I am paying extra to have our dinners prepared at the pearl farm. You will be responsible for some meals and souvenir and pearl purchases! 

Tell Us More About the Pearls!
The pearls are multicolored green and blue, very similar to the abalone shell colors. They are a small harvest so they are higher end / more expensive pearls. The pearl farm is owned by a family. It is a small operation with a very courteous staff.We will travel there by boat, learn about their pearls and watch them harvest pearls just for us! Then we will have a chance to buy any of their pearls at very special prices! You will be able to buy pearls just like I do on my pearl buying trips!

Do We Have to Come Home?
Bummer, right? Yes, we will fly home April 13th. Some people are choosing to extend their trip and head to Hawaii or Australia. Feel free to make this trip your own! I have included my personal flight details below.

Who typically goes on this trip?
This trip is perfect for people who like to travel and enjoy unique and different places. In the past I have been the youngest one on the trip (I am 47). It is also open to both men and women, although more women usually come than men. We have some couples that go and some solo women, too! This year my mom will be on the trip!

What is the investment?
The trip is $5500. This includes flights within New Zealand, ferry and water taxi transportation, the tour of the pearl farm and all accommodations. You will be responsible for your flight to New Zealand, paying for your beverages, some meals any additional excursions and pearls!! 

How do I pay?
To hold your spot, pay the initial deposit of $500 here: https://thepearlgirls.com/products/new-zealand-2025 Then, feel free to pay in installments to break the price of the trip up. You are also welcome to pay the full amount at once. Please note, you must buy your own trip insurance. I shopped around and the one my Mom has chosen is the company Air New Zealand recommends. You can see if here: https://insurance.airnewzealand.com/