Island escapes

The Chatham Islands is home to New Zealand’s most remote communities as it’s known for its history, nature, and the county’s classic Kiwi culture.

Recently more mainlanders have been taking the opportunity to visit the Pacific archipelago.

During your stay, we will visit the four corners of the Island and the special places in between.

Located about 840 kilometres (520 mi) east of Christchurch, an ATR flight to the Chatham Islands takes less than two hours, but where are you going exactly?

This is a unique chance to be able to visit the Chatham Islands relatively easily with a flight time of under two and three-quarter hours.

The Chathams form an archipelago consisting of 10 islands - the largest of which are Chatham and Pitt.

While the islands have officially been part of New Zealand since 1842, research suggests Indigenous people of the islands; the Moriori migrated there from mainland New Zealand as early as 1500.

The tour operator of Chatham Island Tours is Merv Halliday.

Tours are scattered around the South and North Island, which lasts for seven nights and eight fully guided days when exploring Chatham’s most eastern island before returning home direct.

Chatham Islands Tours has also been invited to Whanganui where there’s a 50 passenger ATR aircraft for another special direct flight from Wanganui Airport to the Chatham Islands.

Jump aboard to enjoy eight days of adventure, education, relaxation, and wonderment.

The tours are all-inclusive, so from the moment you board the flight to your return, Merv’s got your airfares, airport transfers, accommodation, meals, and bus tours, concessions, and levies covered.

You’ll explore the wonderful Chatham Islands by spending your evenings in the beautiful Hotel Chatham or Travellers Rest, while activities like deep-sea fishing keep you entertained during the day.

Your local tour guide will greet you at the terminal to officially kick off your Chatham Islands voyage.

During the next few days, you’ll explore the shores of Te Whanga Lagoon, where you will be given the opportunity to fossick for some fossilised shark teeth, some 30 million years old, and Nikau Bush, which is a 19-hectare forest reserve.

Another day is all about fishing as you visit the settlement of Owenga, home to a working fish factory.