Updated 1 October 2026

 

​Thank you for choosing to tour with us. Please take time to peruse our Terms and Conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour.

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Driftwood Eco Tours Limited, trading as Driftwood Tours (“Driftwood Tours”, “we”, “us” or “the Operator”).

 

These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings made with Driftwood Tours. By making a booking and paying a deposit or full payment, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully before booking.

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1. BOOKINGS AND PAYMENT

Advance bookings are essential. A booking is confirmed once we have accepted the booking and received the required $1,000 per person deposit, or full payment where applicable.

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The $1,000 per person deposit forms part of the total tour price and is due within four days of making the booking.

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The balance of the tour price will normally be invoiced upon receipt of the deposit upon booking and must be paid no later than 90 days before departure.

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If you book within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

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All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST unless stated otherwise.

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If you pay by credit or debit card, any applicable card processing surcharge will be disclosed before payment. A fee-free payment option by bank transfer is available.

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If payment is not received by the due date, we will contact you and give you the opportunity to make immediate payment. If payment remains outstanding, we may cancel your booking and the deposit will not be refunded.

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2. WHAT IS INCLUDED

Unless the individual tour information states otherwise, the tour price includes transport from the stated tour starting point, accommodation, meals and the activities described in the itinerary.

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Snacks, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, travel insurance and travel to or from the stated tour starting and finishing points are not included unless specifically stated.

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3. CHANGES TO YOUR BOOKING

If you need to change your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to help, but changes are subject to availability and any costs or conditions imposed by third-party suppliers. A change that results in cancellation of all or part of your booking may be treated as a cancellation under the policy below.

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4. BOOKINGS MADE THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT

If you book a Driftwood Tours tour through a travel agent or other authorised booking agent, these Terms & Conditions apply to the Driftwood Tours component of your booking.

Your travel agent may also have their own terms and conditions, including payment, amendment, cancellation or service fees. These are separate from the terms and charges applied by Driftwood Tours, and you should check these directly with your travel agent.

Where you have booked through a travel agent, payments, refunds, credits and changes to your booking may need to be processed through that agent.

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5. CANCELLATION BY YOU

All cancellations must be advised to us in writing. A cancellation takes effect when we acknowledge receipt in writing.

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Deposit

Your $1,000 per person deposit secures your place and is non-refundable. If you cancel 90 days or more before departure, your deposit is non-refundable. If we are able to resell your place, we may, at our discretion, allow the deposit to be transferred to another person or held as a credit towards a future Driftwood Tours tour. Any credit expires two years from the original tour departure date.

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Cancellation 90 days or less before departure

If you cancel 90 days or less before departure, the amount you have paid is non-refundable. However, if we are able to resell your place, we will refund the amount you have paid less your non-refundable deposit, any non-refundable third-party costs, and any reasonable costs directly incurred by us as a result of your cancellation and in reselling your place. A refund is only available once the cancelled place has actually been resold and paid for.

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If we are unable to resell your place, no refund will be due. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation due to illness, injury and other unforeseen circumstances.

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If you booked through a travel agent, your cancellation should be made through your travel agent, who will notify us on your behalf

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6. THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIER COSTS

Our tours include services supplied by third parties such as accommodation providers, airlines, charter operators and activity providers. These suppliers may have their own cancellation and amendment terms. Where a supplier charges us a non-refundable fee or cost because of your cancellation or change, that amount may be deducted from any refund or credit otherwise available to you.

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7. MINIMUM NUMBERS AND CANCELLATION BY DRIFTWOOD TOURS

Each tour requires a minimum number of guests to proceed. The applicable group size is shown in the tour information on our website.

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If minimum numbers are not reached, we may cancel the tour. If we do, we will contact you to discuss options, which may include transferring to another departure or tour, receiving a credit, or receiving a refund of the tour payments you have made to us.

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If we cancel a tour for reasons within our control, we will refund the tour payments you have made to us. We are not responsible for separate travel or other arrangements you have made, except to the extent required by New Zealand law.

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8. CHANGES TO TOURS AND ITINERARIES

The nature of our tours means itineraries can be affected by weather, road conditions, access, supplier availability, safety considerations and other circumstances. We may alter the itinerary, transport, accommodation, activities, guides or timing where reasonably necessary for the safety, comfort or practical operation of the tour.

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Where possible, we will provide a suitable alternative of a similar standard. Any change will be made reasonably and with regard to the overall nature and value of the tour.

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9. EVENTS BEYOND OUR REASONABLE CONTROL

If a tour cannot proceed, or must be materially changed, because of an event beyond our reasonable control - for example severe weather, natural disaster, fire, pandemic, government restriction, war, civil disturbance, transport disruption or similar event - we will discuss the available options with you. These may include rescheduling, a credit, or a refund less reasonable and unrecoverable costs already incurred and any non-refundable third-party charges, subject always to your rights under New Zealand law.

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10. TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is not included in your tour price. We strongly recommend that you arrange comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book. Your policy should suit your circumstances and should cover cancellation, medical events, accident or illness, personal belongings, transport disruption, and additional accommodation, meals or travel costs if your journey is delayed or extended.

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We also recommend making your pre- and post-tour travel and accommodation arrangements as flexible as practical.

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11. HEALTH, FITNESS AND PARTICIPATION

Our tours visit remote locations and may involve uneven ground, vehicle access, boats, small aircraft and short walks. Each tour has its own activity and mobility requirements, which are described in the tour information.

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Before departure, each guest must complete the required guest details or registration form and provide information that is reasonably necessary for us to assess tour suitability and manage health and safety. You must tell us about any medical, mobility or other condition that could materially affect your ability to participate safely, or the safety of others, and update us if your circumstances change before or during the tour.

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If you have concerns about your fitness, mobility or ability to participate, please contact us before booking. We will discuss the tour requirements with you so you can make an informed decision.

You are responsible for bringing sufficient personal medication for the tour, including a reasonable extra supply in case travel is delayed. We will do our best to accommodate dietary requirements notified to us in advance, but we cannot guarantee that every medical or dietary requirement can be met in every remote location.

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If you experience symptoms of a contagious gastric illness, cold, flu or similar illness within 72 hours before departure, or during the tour, you must tell us promptly so we can take reasonable steps to protect the group, guides and people we visit.

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12. CONDUCT AND SAFETY

You must follow reasonable safety instructions given by your guide, host, skipper, pilot, driver or activity provider. You are responsible for ensuring that any child in your care does the same.

We may require a guest to leave a tour if their behaviour creates a material safety risk, seriously disrupts the tour, or unreasonably affects other guests, guides, hosts or suppliers. Where this occurs because of the guest's conduct, no refund will be due for unused services and the guest will be responsible for their own onward travel and associated costs, except where New Zealand law requires otherwise.

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13. CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT AND BIOSECURITY

A gear list will be provided before departure where appropriate. You are responsible for bringing suitable clothing, footwear and personal equipment for the tour. To help prevent the spread of weeds, seeds, pests and disease, please ensure outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment are clean before departure.

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14. THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIERS AND RESPONSIBILITY

We arrange services from independent third-party suppliers, which may include accommodation providers, transport operators, charter operators and activity providers. Those suppliers are responsible for providing their own services.

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We will exercise reasonable care in arranging and delivering the services we provide. Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies you have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Fair Trading Act 1986 or other New Zealand law where those rights cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

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To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for losses or additional expenses caused by matters outside our reasonable control, including weather, transport disruption, illness, injury, road closure or changes made by independent suppliers.

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15. MEDICAL TREATMENT AND EMERGENCIES

If you become ill or injured during a tour and are unable to make decisions for yourself, you authorise us, where reasonably necessary, to seek emergency medical assistance on your behalf. You are responsible for medical, evacuation and related costs that are not otherwise payable by us under New Zealand law.

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16. PERSONAL INFORMATION

We collect and use personal information in connection with bookings, tour operations, safety and communications. Our Privacy Policy below explains what we collect, why we collect it, how it may be shared and your rights in relation to your information.

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17. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms & Conditions are governed by New Zealand law. Nothing in these terms is intended to limit any rights you have under New Zealand consumer law that cannot lawfully be limited.

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18. CONTACT

Driftwood Tours
Driftwood Eco Tours Limited trading as Driftwood Tours
Email: tours@driftwoodtours.co.nz
Phone: 021 399 137
Website: www.driftwoodtours.co.nz