We get off the beaten track to many places in National Parks that no other companies (and few individuals) ever get to. Sometimes we stay in simple lodges with good facilities, but more often we sleep in mountain huts or bush-camp far away from civilisation. Our small group trekking (max 11 people) is fantastic value at approximately NZ$135 per day (includes food and accommodation).

Our story Malcolm O’Neill started Active Earth in the mid-1990s. Even before he could walk, Malcolm was being carried through New Zealand wilderness in a pack on his father’s back. Since those early days, he has hiked, climbed, and cycled throughout New Zealand and in many exotic locations worldwide. He squeezed in time to get a BSc in physical geography and co-authored a popular guidebook, Classic New Zealand Adventures. It wasn’t a surprise, considering his passion for the outdoors, when Malcolm joined Mark (the founder of Hiking New Zealand) and began running North Island adventure tours in the summer of 1994/95. Based on African-style safaris, the trips were designed to take small groups into the remote backcountry of New Zealand. These safaris have been modified over time and new trips added as Active Earth New Zealand has evolved. Nowadays, we have a bigger office, a dedicated customer support team, very confusing guide schedules, and trips all over New Zealand. But we still have the same set of simple values as we did back in 1994. It’s the kiwi way of doing things.