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Kia ora, I'm Louise

Founder of Your Kiwi Tour & your local private Auckland tour guide.

Like many travellers, I first came to New Zealand for the scenery — but it was the warmth of the people and the spirit of the place that made me stay. Eighteen years later, I'm still here, still in love with Aotearoa's landscapes, culture, and stories. After years working in the tourism industry — from guiding small-group and private tours to managing operations — I decided to create something more personal.

Louise Stephens from Your Kiwi Tour beside a private tour vehicle overlooking Auckland Harbour.

That's how Your Kiwi Tour began — offering authentic private Auckland tours where travellers connect with a local guide, explore hidden gems, and experience the true heart of New Zealand at their own pace.

What I was after was a more personal kind of travel — the feeling of exploring with a local friend who knows the best views, tucked-away spots, and stories you won't find in a brochure. No big buses, no rushed photo stops — just genuine connection, great conversation, and time to enjoy the journey.

Whether you're visiting Auckland for a day, arriving by cruise ship, or looking to explore beyond the city, I'd love to share the places that have made New Zealand feel like home.

Explore my private Auckland tours and discover the city through a local's eyes.

Our mission is simple

To connect visitors with the land, culture, and stories of Auckland and Aotearoa through genuine hospitality, care, and connection. Everything we do is guided by values drawn from Māori culture — timeless principles that shape how we travel, host, and care for people and place across our private Auckland tours and experiences throughout New Zealand.

Our values

Manaakitanga – Hospitality and Care

We believe great travel starts with how you’re welcomed. Every tour is built on kindness, respect, and generosity — treating each guest like whānau (family) and creating authentic New Zealand experiences that feel personal and meaningful.

Kaitiakitanga – Respect for the Land

As local guides, we see ourselves as caretakers of the places we visit — from Auckland’s volcanic peaks to its wild west coast beaches. We travel responsibly, support local communities, and protect the landscapes that make Aotearoa so special.

Whanaungatanga – Connection and Community

Our tours are about people, not just places. Through storytelling, conversation, and shared discovery, we build genuine connections — helping travellers feel part of Auckland’s story and the wider spirit of New Zealand.

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Taiki Logo

Our Tiaki promise 

We’re proud to be guided by the Tiaki Promise, New Zealand’s national commitment to responsible and sustainable travel.

In te reo Māori, tiaki means to care for, and it reflects the same values that guide us: protecting nature, respecting culture, and caring for the people and places we visit.

When you tour with us, you’re part of that same promise — to leave Aotearoa better than we found it, and to experience its beauty with understanding and care.

Learn more about what it means, or take the official visitor pledge to show your commitment to travelling New Zealand with care.

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