Part of the First Light Travel Group
South Pacific Specialists
+64 (9) 320 1065
Absolute is the signature luxury brand of the award-winning First Light Travel Group, established in 2001. We specialise in creating unique, perfectly tailored travel experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Our team of passionate local experts combines deep destination knowledge with a meticulous eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to exceptional service. Our purpose is simple: to spark your curiosity for the South Pacific and to ensure every moment of your journey is flawlessly executed and truly unforgettable
We understand that your time away is more than a holiday, it is a collection of moments that deserve to be unforgettable. Every hour matters, from the first glimpse of untouched landscapes to the quiet magic of a golden sunset.
Our role is to ensure your journey is rich with moments like these. With Absolute, you will experience each destination through a more thoughtful, more immersive lens. One that reveals hidden gems, exclusive experiences and a deeper sense of place you will not find any other way.
If you are unsure where to go but feel the call to escape, whether this is to indulge, reset, be challenged or discover something new, we are here to guide you. Our recommendations are rich with insight and inspiration, thoughtfully curated around you. Every detail in your bespoke itinerary is tailored with care, precision and purpose so your journey feels as if it were designed by instinct.
If you are new to Absolute, here is what you can expect: a personalised service, an expertly crafted itinerary and a seamless journey from inspiration to booking.
Browse our handcrafted journeys for inspiration, each one shaped by genuine local insight and a passion for showcasing the best of New Zealand.
You will work directly with a New Zealand-based Travel Designer, no middlemen, just our personal service, expert knowledge and exceptional value.
Together, we will refine every detail, ensuring your trip is exactly as you imagined and more — with all the hard work expertly handled for you.
Bespoke Luxury Travel, Perfected by the South Pacific’s Most Trusted Experts
With over 1,000 five-star reviews, Absolute is trusted by discerning travellers worldwide. From first enquiry to your return home, our New Zealand-based team handles every detail with care. We tailor each journey to your unique style, combining local insight and curated experiences to create seamless, unforgettable escapes far beyond the guidebooks.
We Save You Precious Time
In today’s fast-paced world, why spend countless hours navigating endless options when our experts do the hard work for you? Rely on our discerning recommendations and carefully curated network of personally vetted suppliers where only the most exceptional products and experiences make the cut. We seamlessly craft your entire journey into a beautifully organised, easy-to-navigate itinerary.
24/7 In Country Support
Once you arrive, we step back to let you fully immerse yourself in your dream journey, while remaining effortlessly at your service. Our office is open seven days a week, with dedicated team members available after hours, providing you with seamless support and complete peace of mind throughout your stay.
Our Best Price and Value Guarantee
We are confident that our pricing delivers exceptional value, paired with unparalleled service. When you choose us, you are guaranteed the best quote and an experience tailored to your expectations. Should you find a lower package price from a reputable travel agency offering the exact same inclusions and quality, we will gladly match or even exceed their offer because your satisfaction is our priority.
A Seamless Booking and Payment Process, Designed for Your Convenience
In a world full of complexity, we believe your travel experience should begin with simplicity. With just one deposit, your dream journey is set in motion and expertly handled by our dedicated team, so you can relax and anticipate the extraordinary.
Enhance Your Journey with Effortless Extensions to Australia, Fiji and the Pacific Islands
Planning to explore Australia or the Pacific Islands as well? We expertly coordinate your travel across the entire region, ensuring a seamless experience. Why juggle multiple agencies when Absolute provides a personalized, end-to-end service tailored just for you?
The best time to visit all depends on what you are hoping to experience. Our expert team will work closely with you to ensure the timing of your trip aligns perfectly with your interests and travel goals.
New Zealand Seasons Explained
Whether you might need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) will be dependent on your circumstances, such as the passport you are travelling on. You will find the most up to date information on the New Zealand Immigration Website
New Zealand offers a wealth of luxury experiences, from private helicopter tours over glaciers and fiords to exclusive wine tastings, yacht charters and guided wilderness hikes with gourmet picnics. Enjoy world-class golf, fine dining, spa retreats and personalised cultural encounters. Every experience can be tailored by Absolute’s experts to suit your interests and travel style.
The International Date Line has puzzled navigators, explorers and travellers for centuries. When flying to New Zealand, it is important to know exactly what date you will arrive, please do not let the time shift catch you off guard!
The International Date Line marks where each calendar day begins. Cross it heading east and you subtract a day; travel west and you add one. That is why when you depart North America, say San Francisco on a Friday night, you will land in New Zealand on Sunday morning. It may feel like you have “lost” a day, but do not worry as you will get it back on your return journey, often arriving home just hours after you left. A little like time travel, really!
Tourism to New Zealand has boomed in recent years. Travellers have also realised New Zealand offers a safe, friendly holiday destination with tons of fun things to see and do. With visitor numbers increasing we experience certain seasonal bottlenecks, so to avoid disappointment, reserving parts of your holiday well in advance is strongly recommended.
The easiest and fastest way to reach New Zealand is by air, unless you are keen on a very long boat ride! Most major airlines offer direct or one-stop flights into Auckland, with excellent connections from around the world.
From Europe, expect around 24 hours of travel, typically split into two long-haul flights of 11–12 hours each. Many travellers opt for a 24-hour stopover in cities like Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok, or Tokyo to break up the journey.
From Australia, New Zealand is just a short hop, about 3.5 hours from the East Coast.
From Asia, direct flights (such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo etc.) average around 10 hours.
From North America, direct flights from the West Coast (like Los Angeles or San Francisco) take approximately 13–15 hours, usually overnight, so you arrive in the morning ready to explore.
Consider enhancing your trip by combining New Zealand with Australia or the Pacific Islands. Our Travel Designers are experts in crafting seamless South Pacific itineraries tailored just for you.
The ideal length of your stay depends on what you would like to see and do. Our expert team will tailor your itinerary to match your interests, ensuring you have ample time to experience the best of New Zealand. Whether that means prioritising the highlights or a deeper, more immersive journey.
New Zealand offers a diverse range of luxury accommodations, from world-class lodges and boutique retreats to private villas and premium hotels. Each provides exceptional comfort, personalised service and stunning settings whether by the coast, in the mountains, or among vineyards. Absolute’s experts will tailor a bespoke itinerary, matching each stay perfectly to your travel style.
This depends on how much time you have in New Zealand. Ideally, experiencing both islands offers the richest journey as each is uniquely stunning. The North Island showcases vibrant culture and geothermal wonders and the South Island dramatic alpine landscapes and adventure. If time is limited, we recommend exploring one island thoroughly rather than rushing through both, you can always return. Our experts will tailor your itinerary to suit your timeframe and interests.
Tipping is not expected in New Zealand and is generally not a part of our culture. Excellent service is already included in the price. However, if you receive exceptional service and wish to show appreciation, a small gratuity is always welcome but entirely optional.
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