New Zealand Water Journeys provides a cultural, adventurous and educational journey as outlined on its website(newzealandwaterjourneys.com) and its detailed itinerary. Your Journey will be accompanied by professional guides, all of which are experienced, friendly, knowledgeable locals who provide legendary hospitality, and will go out of their way to ensure you have a truly unforgettable experience.

Responsibility

New Zealand Water Journeys, their respective employees, representatives, accommodations, affiliates, directors and chosen tour operators will not be held liable (A) for any damage or loss of property or injury to or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any watercraft, vehicle and aircraft operated or provided by such other provider and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation or disruption caused by the laws, regulation, acts or failures to act, demands and orders of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, flood, fire, terrorism, sickness, epidemics, theft or any other cause(s) beyond control. The participant waives any claim against New Zealand Water Journeys and or tour operator for any such loss, injury, damage or death.

By registering for a Journey, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any physical, mental or any other condition or disability that would create a hazard for himself/herself or other participants. New Zealand Water Journeys has the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept or remove any participants on a Journey. New Zealand Water Journeys reserve the right, without penalty to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, the conditions warrant or if they don’t seem necessary for the comfort or safety of the participants. New Zealand Water Journeys will not be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty by the purchase of a non refundable ticket to or from participants Journey departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

Cost of tour

All costs are per person based on two persons sharing a room. All costs are quoted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).  The costs are based on currency values, tariffs and third party charges as of website and itinerary publication date and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.  New Zealand Water Journeys will do everything possible to maintain listed costs. If it is necessary to levy a surcharge New Zealand Water Journeys reserves the rights to do so and a notification will be given at the final time of invoicing.

Age Restriction

Must be age 14 years and over to be able to participate in the Journey due to operators age restrictions.  Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey. Call for more information.

Assumed Risk and Outdoor Activities

Participants are advised that all activities are taken at their own risk and must behave in a fit and proper manner at all times in accordance with New Zealand Water Journeys and their chosen operators’ guidelines and must take proper responsibility for their own safety.  All adventure tours and outdoor activities carry inherent risks. New Zealand Water Journeys or its partners do not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions or are caused by factors outside of human control. With the purchase of your Journey, you agree to these conditions, understand its implications and accept responsibility for your participation in this Journey. Depending on the activity, you may be requested to sign an additional liability release.

Included in Journey Cost:

We don’t like hidden prices, so we don’t have any! This means that once you have booked your journey you can be sure of the knowledge that there are no hidden costs once you arrive.

All of our journeys include transport, driver/guides, activities, accommodation and all other fees and costs. Most meals are included, and where they are not it is clearly outlined on the itinerary page on the website available to you before you book.

All activities are included in the price apart from instances where there is more than one option to choose from (i.e. personal day in Kaikoura, swimming with dolphins, whale watching etc). This is designed so that you can customise your journey to suit your preferences. Where there is more than one option available, the activities will be outlined in the itinerary and you can make your choices at the time of booking. You are able to choose extra activities during the tour, subject to availability.

Not Included in Journey Cost:

Air transportation and related fees except as indicated in the itinerary; activities noted as optional extra in the itinerary; gratuities for guides and other local operators; Passport and visa expenses; Medical expenses and immunizations; baggage/accident/cancellation/travel insurance; personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, laundry and any other items not specifically noted as included.

Accommodation

The majority of our accommodation providers are small, local businesses with many of them being family run. We try to use retreats, lodges, cabins and chalets with privately attached facilities wherever possible to ensure you have the most comfortable and authentic stay possible

Single Accommodation

There is a limited number of rooms available at an extra cost.

Payments, Cancellations and Refunds

A 10% deposit per person is required to reserve space on the Journey . Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure of the Journey. Payment must be made by credit card. Note a 2.5% fee is charged on top. Or bank direct bank deposit which is a 2.5%fee.

A participant’s reservation may be cancelled if full payment has not been received 90 days prior to departure. For reservations made within 90 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date it being sent.

Days before Departure                              Cancellation Fee Charged

More than 120 days                                    50% of deposit

91-119 Days                                                 100% of deposit

45-90 Days                                                    50% of Journey cost

44 days or less                                             100% of Journey cost

Once your Journey has commenced there is no refund available for any portion due to any circumstances. Any decision regarding any exception to the stated policy above will be made entirely at the sole discretion of the operator. New Zealand Water Journeys reserves the right to cancel any journeys because of inadequate enrolment (departures are subject to minimum of 4 passengers) or because of good faith concerns with respect to health and safety or the welfare of participants.

Changes to the Booking

Please Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change your booking and we will do our best to meet your needs however we reserve the right to charge amendment/cancellation fees.

Itinerary Changes

The itinerary on the website is subject to modification and change by New Zealand Water Journeys and or any activity operator. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the Journey as planned but alterations may still occur after final itineraries are sent.

Documentation

Participants are responsible for obtaining any documents required for their participation in the Journey such as a valid passport, visa’s and any other relevant documentation. Any extra costs incurred for rerouting due to travel without necessary documents will be the participants responsibility.

Health Requirements

Participants must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition, diet or treatment requiring special attention must be reported and written in writing when the booking is confirmed. We encourage and recommend that you can swim comfortably at least 25m (75 feet) and that you are comfortable around water. New Zealand Water Journeys recommends guests consult a doctor for specific medical advice about activities. If you are unsure whether the journey is suited to you please don’t hesitate to get in contact and we can give you more information.

Medical Authorisation and Coverage

In the event that the participant becomes sufficiently incapacitated as to be unable to be directed to his/her own care and there is no one on the Journey who can direct the participant’s care and New Zealand Water Journeys  is unable or does not have time to contact participants emergency contact, the participant, by registering and paying a deposit for a Journey authorizes any medical treatment deemed necessary in the event of any injury or illness while participating in the activity including, but not limited to, X-ray, examination, anaesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis, or treatment and hospital care which is deemed advisable by an appropriate medical professional.

Accident Compensation Commision(ACC)

If you sustain any injury whilst in New Zealand, ACC may be able to help with the cost of treatment and support while you are here, but we make no representation to you that this will occur. It is important to note that ACC may only cover treatment/rehabilitation costs within New Zealand, it does not replace travel insurance and will not cover illness, emergency travel or disrupted travel plans. Furthermore, it is important to be aware that you cannot sue for personal injury in New Zealand – ACC replaces that right.

Travel Insurance

The participant is responsible to purchase adequate insurance to cover personal accident, cancellation, medical and associated expenses, luggage, money and liability cover.  It is a pre-requisite to have insurance cover to undertake a New Zealand Water Journey.

Photography/Media

New Zealand Water Journeys and other chosen ground operators reserve the right to take photographs and videos during the operation of any Journey and use for promotional or commercial use.  All material on their website and other media coverage is copyrighted and cannot be used without permission. On making a reservation, the guest agrees to allow his/her likeness to be used by New Zealand Water Journeys and the other chosen operators without compensation to the guest. If the guest prefers that his/her likeness not be used he/she must notify New Zealand Water Journeys upon arrival of trip.

Luggage

When flying to New Zealand most airlines allow one piece of check in luggage (suitcase, large backpack etc.) and one or two small items of hand luggage. We base our storage capacity within our vehicles on this so if you plan on bringing more luggage than this please inform us in advance. New Zealand Water Journeys will not be responsible for the loss or damage of personal effects under any circumstances.

Smoking

Government regulations do not allow smoking in large passenger vehicles. Smoking inside any accommodations is not allowed but some accommodations may have designated smoking areas outside.

Disputes

If you wish to raise any issue regarding our products or services, please advise your guide at the time. If your issue is not resolved, please contact us via email (info@newzealandwaterjourneys.com) as soon as reasonably possible so we can work through your concerns. Please note we will not consider any dispute claims more than 60 days after tour has ended.

Behavior and Inability to continue participation

In travelling with New Zealand Water Journeys, you agree to accept the advice and comply with the reasonable requirements of your guides and accept their decisions.  We reserve the right to decline continued participation by a participant if his or her behavior is deemed by us to be unsafe or inappropriate at any time during the tour on the basis that our staff are entitled to a safe working environment and you and other participants are entitled to enjoy your journey with us to the fullest extent possible.  No refunds will be given to a participant who is asked to leave the journey due to their behaviour.  Participants who are requested to leave the tour are responsible for their travel arrangements from the time that they are asked to leave. 

Other Activity Providers

During our journey, we work with other local persons and entities to provide you with the best experience possible. Wherever possible we work with small, local, family run providers that are as passionate and invested as we are in ensuring you have the best experience possible. All of our other providers follow all necessary health and safety precautions and offer the same high standards as New Zealand Water Journeys.

Application of Terms and Conditions Engagement

In making a booking through our website or through a third party agent of ours you thereby warrant to us that you have read and understood our Terms and Conditions of Engagement and that you accept the same as solely constituting the agreement that is entered between, we and you.