Who We Are & What We Do
Who We Are...
Many of our clients tell us they were confused or misled by all of the sites on the internet where have no idea of who they are dealing with and in some cases where they do business.
An eye-catching website does not ensure that the client will receive expert ...or even correct advice. We invite you to meet our team and benefit from our years of Kiwi research and relationship-building and experience.
Each year everyone on ≥The Best≈ of New Zealand team visits New Zealand and stays in the accommodations, participates in the local activities, and samples the local cuisine.
We personally check out your travel options before recommending them to you. We have worked hard to earn our reputation as "The Best" go-to agency for New Zealand.
Mike
Mike McClelland, who started the travel agency in 1981, first fished New Zealand in 1974 and has made over 50 trips since then to explore, research, and enjoy this beautiful and friendly country.
After organizing groups to fly fish the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan in the mid-80≠s, Mike decided to concentrate solely on New Zealand in 1989.
The Best of New Zealand Fly Fishing has concentrated solely on trips "down under" over 19 years.
Connie
Connie Lown has been with the company since July 1994. She first visited New Zealand in 1976 after working and traveling in Australia for nine months; a planned six week trip of both Islands turned into a 10 month stay and her introduction to the travel business.
Upon returning home she got a job in the South Pacific division of an east coast tour operator.
After a few years she moved to Los Angeles and worked for hotel companies, with the emphasis on French Polynesia, before moving to Fiji for a year at one of its new hotels.
Sales trips to New Zealand and Australia reminded Connie how much she loved those destinations and, after a few months exploring more of Australia, she returned home and was soon working back in the South Pacific travel business.
Since joining The Best of New Zealand she has visited New Zealand at least once a year and continues to enthusiastically plan trips introducing clients to her favorite part of the world.
Karen
Karen Miller is a Kiwi that has been with The Best of New Zealand since 1994.
Karen has spent over the last 20 years involved with the travel industry.
She regularly travels to New Zealand to stay updated on current industry developments and to visit her family.
Prior to joining The Best of New Zealand she was employed by the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Office and worked in their Los Angeles office (1986 -1989) where she assisted with consumer promotions, travel agent training and general trip planning for those interested in New Zealand as a travel destination.
Karen also worked with an incentive travel company in England for almost five years (1989 - 1994). While there she planned, administered, and escorted both incentive and conference groups worldwide.
Christina
Cristina Randall was born in Chile where she earned a degree in Tourism and Hospitality.
She has worked in the travel industry since 1984. For the last 19 years she has specialized in helping plan and book trips to New Zealand and the South Pacific.
She has made 21 trips to New Zealand; 10 trips to Australia; and has twice visited both Tahiti and Fiji.
She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Cristina joined ≥The Best≈ team in early 2005.
Georgina
Georgina Zepeda, who coordinates our clients≠ air travel, has over thirteen years experience as a travel agent (over eight years with The Best of New Zealand) and knows how to find the best airfares (cheaper than on the internet); obtain preferred seating on the flights; clear waitlists; and coordinate domestic flights within New Zealand.
Georgina made her sixth trip to New Zealand this year.
Andrea
Andrea Esquivel, joined The Best of New Zealand in 2004 and is in charge of preparing quotations, trip documents, and making sure all reservations are reconfirmed to ensure a seamless trip. Andrea made her fifth trip to New Zealand this year.
What We Do....
New Zealand fly fishing is our central focus, but we are also experts in
the many other activities and accommodations available in New Zealand. We
sell customized fishing programs to meet your exacting standards. Most of
our clients’ itineraries also include sightseeing and other nature-based
activities such as golf, winery tours, bird watching, trekking, and sea
kayaking. Each trip is planned around your wants and needs -- we do not sell "group tours" or "packaged" tours.
Click here for a recent magazine article about Mike McClelland and The Best of New Zealand Fly Fishing
Experience
For 20 years we have specialized exclusively in New Zealand fishing and
travel. During that time we have helped plan and book individualized New
Zealand trips for thousands of satisfied clients. Our high level of repeat
clients and client referrals has helped us grow our business.
Our clients travel regularly and widely; participate in a wide range of
tourism experiences; actively participate in the natural environment; are
environmentally and culturally aware; and seek authentic, new experiences.
Therefore, our clients come to us because they know we can help them plan an
exclusive, quality experience that is unequaled in other competitive
destinations. We know they want a well planned "seamless" trip; a variety
of unique accommodations (especially those that offer the opportunity to
meet the locals and experience "Kiwi hospitality"); an "off the beaten path" itinerary that concentrates on the scenic beauty of New Zealand; and an
individual self-drive trip that provides ample time to enjoy and participate
in a variety of activities. We also know that we need to exceed clients’ expectations in order to maintain our unique and excellent reputation.
Knowledge
We believe we know New Zealand and the quality products we recommend better
than anyone. The lodge owners and managers tell us that no one visits them
as often as our award winning Best of New Zealand team --not even the travel
operators based locally in New Zealand. We do not rely on guide books (that
are frequently out of date), but on our own first hand experience and
knowledge. We visit an accommodation before recommending it, and spend time
getting to know its owners and managers.
We also place great importance on the trip reports sent to us over the years
by our returning clients with their own evaluations of the various
accommodations and activities. If you aren’t satisfied, we aren’t satisfied.
Each of our Best of New Zealand team travels to New Zealand at least once a
year to visit the properties we use, spend time with the managers and
fishing guides who take care of our clients, and experience the activities
we recommend. There is no substitute for being able to describe a property
or activity from first hand experience. We truly offer "The Best" of New
Zealand. We know the destinations available within New Zealand and will
propose accommodations and activities to match your expected level of
service, comfort, interests, and budget.
Dedication & Pride
Before your trip starts, we all work hard to make sure your questions are fully answered and that you receive correct maps and directions; contact numbers, and other trip information. We take great pride and satisfaction when our clients report, as they often do: "Thanks - we had the trip of a lifetime!"
What does it cost to use our services?
Nothing -- we do not charge for our services!. You pay no more than if you did your own bookings. Like other travel agencies, we are paid by the various suppliers we book for you. We provide our clients with a detailed quotation of the trip costs --no lump sum price with hidden fees. You receive a breakdown of place by place and activity by activity that you can compare to the costs of booking direct. In many cases, because of our special relationships, we are able to offer prices below what you would obtain by booking direct. We charge in US Dollars. No credit card foreign exchange transactions fees are incurred by our clients.
Do we only book luxury properties?
No-- we recommend and use a variety of types of properties --everything from farm stays to super luxury lodges and everything in between. We believe it is important that your accommodations meet your budget, and offer the opportunity to meet the locals and experience true "Kiwi hospitality" and an authentic New Zealand experience. We have carefully selected properties of varying costs where we have personally stayed and that meet our superior standards, regardless of price. We know the owners and managers and in most cases are their single largest source of business. We know our clients will be well looked after whether they are hosted at a modest beach cottage or a top-of-the-line lodge.
Why use our services now that the Internet has extensive travel information?
Most of our clients use the internet to explore New Zealand options. The internet provides access to loads of information, but identifying the best property for your needs is difficult, if not impossible. You can do as much or as little on-line research as you wish, but we can help pull all of the pieces of your trip together and make sure it is seamless and a match for your goals. We know the driving times, unique experiences and in most cases the owners and mangers of the various accommodations. We can organize or integrate your list of things you want to do into an itinerary that fits your schedule at a cost that meets your budget. We also remind each property of your booking and expected arrival time to make sure your trip is glitch-free.
Why not just visit places our friends recommend?
One of the reasons we continually visit New Zealand is to look for special properties that offer comfort, value, uniqueness, and service and allow you to enjoy true Kiwi hospitality. Not only do we visit the properties but we get trip reports about them from hundreds of our clients each season. In the last five years there has been an explosion of new properties in New Zealand. Your friends may have been satisfied with the property they chose, but there may be even more terrific and unique options available. With our first hand and long term knowledge of New Zealand, we can help you pick from choices that include luxury lodges, Bed & Breakfasts, self-contained cottages on remote beaches and in vineyards, condos & apartments, and delightful farm stays. As independent travel planners we can recommend what we consider the best options to meet each client's needs.
