New Zealand Nature Explorer

Spring in New Zealand brings a burst of wildlife activity and some of the best opportunities to encounter the country’s most charismatic species. Expedition Leader Sam Kuperus shares highlights from our 2025 New Zealand Nature Explorer adventure, from rare penguin sightings and newborn lamb and newly hatched kiwi encounters to Nat Hab Philanthropy projects and river conservation wins. Learn why spring is such a magical—and meaningful—time to experience Aotearoa’s wildlife and take part in the island’s conservation story.

Discover the scenic splendors of New Zealand’s South Island! Expedition Leader Sam Kuperus reveals the details of our New Zealand Nature Explorer, including where we stay—luxury ecolodges, boutique retreats and even a historic castle—and what activities to expect, from hiking and kayaking to night walks beneath some of the darkest skies on Earth. He also introduces some of the wildlife we may encounter, including brown kiwis, fur seals and one of the world’s rarest birds: the Fiordland crested penguin.

New Zealand’s wildlife has suffered more extinctions from introduced predators than any other country, but innovative conservation projects are offering hope. Expedition Leader Jacob Emerson takes us inside the country’s rewilding movement, from predator-free islands like Tiritiri Matangi to fenced sanctuaries such as Zealandia. Discover how these efforts are reviving endemic species like the tuatara and kaka, and learn why the kea—New Zealand’s clever alpine parrot—poses unique conservation challenges.