Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited is a New Zealand-based small-group tour operator (founded 2017) offering guided day tours, multi-day packages, and charter services across both islands to international and domestic leisure travellers, distributed via DTC and major OTAs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersTe Anau, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited does
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited is a New Zealand-based small-group tour operator founded in 2017 and headquartered in Te Anau. The company runs a catalogue of more than 50 guided tours spanning both the North and South Islands, with a Mercedes minibus fleet sized for 7 to 16 passengers. Its core product set includes single-day tours (Milford Sound, Hobbiton, Glaciers, the Routeburn, and similar iconic itineraries), multi-day packages such as the Southern Highlights 3-day and 5-day itineraries, private and custom tours, point-to-point transfers, and add-on experiences. A four-hub pick-up network anchored in Queenstown, Te Anau, Christchurch, and Franz Josef provides hotel collection across both islands.
The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer through its own website, complemented by distribution partnerships with global online travel agencies including Viator, GetYourGuide, and KLOOK. Pricing spans NZD$140 for short experiences up to NZD$3,280 for longer multi-day packages, with flagship day tours (Milford Sound, Hobbiton) priced at NZD$315-369 per person. The business holds Qualmark Gold Certification, New Zealand's official tourism quality mark, and is a Department of Conservation (DOC) Approved Operator, the latter of which permits access to protected areas central to its premium offerings.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel has earned TripAdvisor's Best of the Best recognition for five consecutive years (2022-2026), placing it in the global top 1% of experiences, and has accumulated more than 8,457 reviews with 5,000+ five-star ratings. The company employs between 11 and 50 people, has expanded into a Charter and Conference Tours line for corporate and event clients, and operates as a privately held NZ limited company.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited
- Legal name
- Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited
- Website
- https://cheekykiwitravel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited is a New Zealand-based small-group tour operator (founded 2017) offering guided day tours, multi-day packages, and charter services across both islands to international and domestic leisure travellers, distributed via DTC and major OTAs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Guided Tour Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (561520)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Small-Group Escorted Tour Operators (THAKADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Luxury Multi-Day Tour Operators (THAKADAE)
Keywords
Where Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Te Anau
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Day Tours: Fully-guided small group day tours to destinations including Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, Rotorua, Bay of Islands, and Coromandel Peninsula. Prices range from NZD$140 to NZD$500+ per person depending on tour length and inclusions.
- Multi-Day Tours: Multi-day tour packages ranging from 2 to 5 days, including accommodation, transport, and multiple destination visits. Prices start from NZD$700 and go up to NZD$3,280 for 5-day Southern Highlights Tour.
- Custom/Private Tours: Bespoke private tours for families or small groups looking for personalized itineraries. Subject to availability and priced at time of booking.
- Optional Add-ons: Additional activities such as heli hikes, scenic flights, and specialty experiences can be purchased as optional extras on standard tours.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Day Tours - Single Destination |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Day Tours - Combination/Multi-Stop |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Multi-Day Tours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Transfer Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group/Save Discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited operates guided small-group day tours and multi-day tour packages across New Zealand's North and South Islands, with a maximum of 16 guests per tour. The company offers hotel pick-up and drop-off, all-inclusive pricing with entry fees and snacks, and operates from Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, and Te Anau. Their portfolio includes more than 50 tour variations covering iconic destinations such as Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, Rotorua, Bay of Islands, and the Catlins.
Product overview
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited offers a unified tour operator platform centered on small group guided tours across New Zealand. The core offering consists of Small Group Day Tours (max 16 guests) visiting destinations like Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, Rotorua, Bay of Islands, and Coromandel Peninsula, supplemented by Multi-Day Tours (2-5 days covering Southern Highlights and North Island combinations). Additional modules include Custom & Private Tours for bespoke experiences and Conference & Charter Tours for group transport. All tours feature hotel pick-up/drop-off, passionate local guides, modern Mercedes minibuses with WiFi and USB charging, and inclusive entry fees. The flagship product is the Tripadvisor 'Best of the Best' award-winning Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown. The company operates more than 50 tour variations across North and South Islands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Small Group Day Tours Fully-guided day tours visiting New Zealand's top destinations with a maximum of 16 guests per tour, including hotel pick-up and drop-off, all entry fees, and modern Mercedes minibuses with amenities. Prices range from NZD$140 to NZD$500+ per person.
- Multi-Day Tours Multi-day tour packages including 2-day to 5-day options such as Southern Highlights Tours (3-5 days covering Queenstown, Dunedin, Catlins, Te Anau, and Milford Sound) and North Island multi-day tours combining Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, and Hamilton Gardens. Prices range from NZD$700 to NZD$3,280.
- Custom & Private Tours Bespoke private tour experiences tailored for families or small groups seeking personalized itineraries with choice of activities and destinations. Subject to availability and priced at time of booking.
- Conference & Charter Tours Charter and conference transportation services for groups requiring custom itineraries and dedicated vehicle hire.
- Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown with Cruise & Picnic Lunch 13-hour premium small group tour featuring boutique Milford Sound cruise and picnic lunch, departing Queenstown. Price from NZD$369. Winner of TripAdvisor's 'Best of the Best' Award in 2023-2026, ranked #16 in world in Sailing and Day Tours category in 2025.
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland 9-hour fully-guided day tour of the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set and Alexander Sheep Farm, famous from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, departing Auckland. Price from NZD$315.
- Mt Cook Small Group Tour 12-hour small group day tour from Queenstown exploring the Mt Cook area with free time for Hooker Valley Track hikes and alpine activities. Price from NZD$275.
- Southern Highlights Tour - 3 Days / 2 Nights 72-hour multi-day tour covering NZ's Deep South from Queenstown to Dunedin, Catlins, Te Anau and Milford Sound, including luxury coach, hotel stays, Taieri Gorge Train, and Milford cruise with lunch. Price from NZD$1,850.
- Southern Highlights Tour - 5 Days / 4 Nights 120-hour multi-day tour covering NZ's Deep South on a loop from Queenstown through Dunedin, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Te Anau and Milford Sound, including luxury coach, hotels, Taieri Gorge Train, Stewart Island tour and Milford cruise with lunch. Price from NZD$3,280.
- Bay of Islands & Paihia 2 Day Tour & Cruise with accommodation 36-hour Northland tour visiting Bay of Islands, Hole in the Rock, and Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), including accommodation and cruise. Price from NZD$949.
- Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach & Coromandel Peninsula Tour 12-hour day tour from Auckland exploring Coromandel Peninsula including Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach dig-your-own-spa experience, and scenic coastal stops. Price from NZD$259.
- Rotorua Highlights Tours Day tours from Auckland to Rotorua featuring Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Redwoods Treewalk, and Secret Spot Hot Tubs geothermal and cultural experiences. Price from NZD$434.
- Christchurch to Franz Josef via Hokitika Full-day West Coast tour exploring New Zealand's wild West Coast from Christchurch to Franz Josef glacier region.
- TranzAlpine Train Tours Tours including the scenic TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps, combined with Arthur's Pass day tours and West Coast glacier region exploration.
- Catlins Tours Day tours exploring The Catlins region including Nugget Point Lighthouse, Cathedral Caves, Purakaunui Falls, Curio Bay (yellow-eyed penguins), and coastal wildlife experiences.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.9 out of 5 aggregate rating with over 8,000 reviews
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ViatorcoreViator (TripAdvisor) serves as a third-party booking platform for Cheeky Kiwi tours, expanding distribution to travellers who book through Viator's marketplace.
- GetYourGuidecoreGetYourGuide is a third-party booking platform enabling travellers to discover and book Cheeky Kiwi tours through their marketplace.
- KLOOKcoreKLOOK is an online travel booking platform that distributes Cheeky Kiwi tour experiences to their customer base.
- Boutique Cruise Partners (Milford Sound)coreCheeky Kiwi partners with boutique cruise operators for Milford Sound tours, providing premium cruise experiences as part of their tour packages.
- Department of Conservation (DOC)coreDOC Approved Operator status - Cheeky Kiwi operates in partnership with DOC to ensure tours protect and conserve New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage in national parks and conservation areas.
- Hobbiton Movie SetcoreStrategic partnership to provide guided tours of the Hobbiton Movie Set, including entry tickets and complimentary Green Dragon Inn drink.
- Te PuiacorePartnership for guided cultural experiences at Te Puia geothermal reserve and Māori cultural center in Rotorua.
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal WonderlandcorePartnership providing entry and guided experiences at Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park in Rotorua.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Grand Pacific Tours: Escorted coach tour operator focused on multi-day New Zealand itineraries, particularly inbound mature travelers — comparable on escorted multi-day tour model in the same geography.
- Stray Travel: NZ-focused small-group tour operator running flexible multi-stop itineraries across both islands — directly comparable target market (international backpackers/budget travelers) and small-group model.
- Kiwi Experience: Hop-on, hop-off NZ backpacker bus network serving independent international travelers across North and South Island routes — comparable geography and traveler demographic, though looser group model.
- Haka Tours: New Zealand small-group guided tour operator offering multi-day North and South Island itineraries with a similar escorted, small-group model — directly comparable on product, customer, and geography.
- Active Adventures: New Zealand small-group adventure tour operator combining guided hiking and sightseeing itineraries — closely comparable on small-group size, NZ geography, and active sightseeing emphasis.
Broad incumbents
- Intrepid Travel: Global small-group adventure tour operator with a substantial New Zealand product line — comparable small-group escorted model but vastly larger scale and broader geography.
- Tourism Holdings International (THL): Largest NZ tourism operator (rental vehicles, campervans, hotels) serving the same international NZ traveler — adjacent rather than directly competing on guided tours.
- Real Journeys (RealNZ): Established NZ scenic and sightseeing operator across Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Stewart Island, and Te Anau — directly competes on Milford Sound experiences Cheeky Kiwi bundles, with broader portfolio.
Others
- Jucy Rentals: NZ tourism brand offering rental vehicles and self-drive packages — competes for the same international tourist dollar via a self-drive alternative rather than guided tours.
Regional players
- Southern Discoveries: Milford Sound-based cruise and scenic operator supplying one of the key experiences Cheeky Kiwi packages in its flagship tour — adjacent competitor and supply-chain partner.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited social profiles
Digital presenceCheeky Kiwi Travel Limited compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited
What does Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited do?
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited operates guided small-group day tours and multi-day tour packages across New Zealand's North and South Islands, with a maximum of 16 guests per tour. The company offers hotel pick-up and drop-off, all-inclusive pricing with entry fees and snacks, and operates from Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, and Te Anau. Their portfolio includes more than 50 tour variations covering iconic destinations such as Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, Rotorua, Bay of Islands, and the Catlins.
Is Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited a public or private company?
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited founded?
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited based?
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited is headquartered in Te Anau, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Day Tours are the primary driver. The others are multi-Day Tours, custom/Private Tours and optional Add-ons.
Who are Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Grand Pacific Tours, Stray Travel, Kiwi Experience, Haka Tours and Active Adventures. Broad incumbents are Intrepid Travel, Tourism Holdings International (THL) and Real Journeys (RealNZ). Jucy Rentals is listed as an others. Southern Discoveries is listed as a regional player.
Does Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited.
What industry is Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited in?
Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited's product category is Guided Tour Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKADAB, Small-Group Escorted Tour Operators, with a secondary code of THAKADAE, Luxury Multi-Day Tour Operators. Its NAICS code is 561520.