Social and Adventure, Cultural and Tourism Activities

This part of the via programme will exhilarate and amaze you, as well as provide you with the time and space to do what you want, at whatever pace you choose.

We support the learning process by integrating it with sociable, fun, adventurous, cultural and inspiring activities that enhance and support your experience and awareness of New Zealand’s unique culture, environment and landscape. Activities are arranged to deliver inspiring experiences, interweaving into and reinforcing the developmental process.

Through our individually tailored itinerary, New Zealand becomes a huge canvas offering all the experiences you want - always with the knowledge that you're with expert guides and with stringent safety and security measures in place.

Your personal tastes are paramount at all times, so before your time at via begins we will discuss with you exactly what you want to do (and what you'd perhaps rather not).

The 'City of Sails' - Auckland - is our base and there are a huge number of activities on offer: The east coast is cosmopolitan and modern and includes the stunning Hauraki Gulf with picturesque islands, golden beaches and yachts. The West Coast has mountains, wild, open sea, rainforest, and few people. Both areas are adventure playgrounds.

Your developmental process also takes you to many other unique and dramatic places throughout New Zealand where you can; swim with a pod of dolphins in the crystal clear ocean; dive one of the world's most treasured underwater reefs; heli-ski a pristine mountain slope; discover natural wonders unlike those in any other country of the world; hear the stories of the foremost Maori sage in traditional shipbuilding and celestial navigation; meet artisans, chefs, painters, and much more …

So much to experience

With via's adventure, cultural and tourism programme you have the opportunity to experience so much.

A multitude of options exist throughout our beautiful country. For example:

Northland - history, culture and adventure: Have an unforgettable weekend at a Marae and gain an in-depth understanding of Maori culture. Experience weaving, carving, shellfish gathering, singing, dancing, spiritualism, healing, even traditional hunting and fishing. Sail, kite-surf and kayak the beautiful Bay of Islands or take the fast boat to the Hole in the Rock, quad bike the majestic Ahipara dunes or horse ride or land yacht New Zealand’s 90 mile beach.

Poor Knights Islands diving: Dive in these world famous waters. The reefs are stunning, the instructors highly experienced and the equipment advanced (no diving certificate required).

Waitomo Caves adventure: Discover wonderful glow-worm caves. Walk the bush with an expert, see the caves at night. Or there is black water rafting, caving and abseiling, if you wish.

Rotorua geothermal wonderland: Experience natural geysers, geothermal activity, beautiful lakes, strong Maori culture - and brilliant mountain bike courses.

High Plateau Adventures: Discover the Central North Island mountains as featured in The Lord of the Rings movie. Walk mountainside tracks, kayak, canoe, abseil, cave or raft. Ski,climb or "uphill ski" (kite and snowboard) in winter.

Marlborough Sounds eco-safari: Cruise beautiful fiords on a restored classic launch with a 6th generation local Maori family. Eat fresh shellfish, see dolphins and whales, and go for guided bush walks.

Southern Alps Jet-boating: Travel one of the world's original jet-boats to spectacular and hidden places. Take camping gear, fly rods and a fish-smoker. This is a superb back-country experience.

Southern Glaciers hike: Helicopter to the top of either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier on the South Island’s remote West Coast - and hike down.

Queenstown Adventures: One of the world's top adventure playgrounds. Try rafting, bungy jumping, jet-boating, mountain biking and more; visit Fiordland's Milford Sound/Doubtful Sound; or visit a remote 40,000 acre sheep station. There’s also excellent winter skiing.

Flying High Adventure: A trip to our local airfield will see you participating in a simulated dive bombing exercise over the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Islands as passengers in genuine WWII Warbirds. There is even the opportunity to learn to fly a helicopter!!!

Social / Recreational

And there are plenty of onsite recreational activities available at the Via Estate, ranging from swimming to tennis to mountain biking to croquet or kayaking.

Opportunities to socialise are also organised throughout your stay with us: enjoy formal dinners, dances, visits to clubs and the theatre, debates, quiz nights, theme evenings and other social gatherings at the estate and elsewhere.