Booking Conditions

1. Who you are booking with

Silver Fern Travel ("we", "us") arranges New Zealand holiday packages on your behalf. The individual components of your holiday, such as accommodation, activities, rental vehicles and transport, are delivered by established New Zealand tour operators and suppliers, and their terms of service also apply to the relevant component.

2. Quotes and prices

All quotes are prepared in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and remain valid for the period stated on the quote, typically 7 days, subject to availability. Prices displayed on this website in any currency other than NZD are indicative conversions provided for convenience only; the NZD price governs.

Advertised "from" prices are per person, based on two people sharing (twin share), travelling in the lowest season, and can vary with dates, room types and availability. A firm price is always confirmed in writing before you commit to anything.

3. Confirming a booking and payment

No payment is required to enquire or receive a quote. When you ask us to confirm a booking, a deposit of 20% of the trip price per person (minimum NZ$250 per person, whichever is greater) is required, and we issue an invoice with secure payment instructions. Some pre-purchased components, such as domestic flights or instant purchase activities, can require payment earlier than this; where that applies it is stated clearly on your quote before you pay anything. Your booking is confirmed once the deposit is received and confirmed in writing by us.

The balance is due no later than 70 days before your first travel date (New Zealand time), or earlier where a specific supplier requires it. Bookings made within 70 days of the first travel date are payable in full at confirmation. The exact due date is always stated on your quote and invoice. If the balance is not received by its due date, itinerary components may have to be released and the cancellation terms below then apply.

Deposits and balances can be paid by Visa or Mastercard. Once your booking is confirmed in writing, the deposit, and the cost of any flights booked on your behalf, are non-refundable; this is one of the reasons we ask you to arrange travel insurance on the day you pay your deposit. We explain the protections that come with card payment on our How Your Money Is Protected page.

4. Changes and cancellation

Before confirmation, change anything you like at no cost. After confirmation, change requests must be made in writing by the person who made the booking, and are accommodated wherever suppliers allow. Changes to a confirmed booking are subject to any fare or rate differences, any fees applied by the suppliers involved, and an administration fee of up to NZ$250 per person. Reducing the number of days or the number of travellers on a confirmed booking is treated as a partial cancellation.

Cancellations must be advised in writing. Unless your quote states otherwise, the following scale applies from the date written notice is received, in addition to the non-refundable deposit and any flight costs: more than 70 days before your first travel date, loss of deposit only; 70 to 21 days, 55% of the total booking value; 20 to 8 days, 70% of the total booking value; 7 days or fewer, 100% of the total booking value. Cancellation fees applied by third party providers are additional where their own terms apply.

Some tours operated by third parties carry their own cancellation scales, which can be stricter; where that is the case it is stated on your quote before you pay anything. Any amounts not caught by the applicable scale are refunded to you. Comprehensive travel insurance with cancellation cover exists for exactly these situations, which is why section 5 is not a formality.

5. Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical costs and personal belongings is strongly recommended and is a condition of some suppliers. Please arrange insurance in your home country at the time you confirm your booking.

6. Self drive requirements

Drivers must hold a current licence that is in English, or carry an accredited English translation or International Driving Permit. The named driver must meet the rental company’s age and licence requirements, and the rental agreement is between you and the rental company.

7. Things beyond anyone’s control

New Zealand weather, road conditions and natural events occasionally reshape itineraries. Where a component cannot be delivered as planned, our local operations team will arrange the best available alternative. We are not liable for costs arising from events outside our reasonable control, which is another reason travel insurance matters.

If a tour is cancelled or suspended after confirmation because of events outside anyone’s reasonable control (for example natural disaster, government action, border closures, epidemic or similar), you will receive a refund of amounts paid, less the deposit, any flight costs, and any other costs already incurred that cannot be recovered, including cancellation fees applied by third party providers.

8. Questions

Anything unclear? Email hello@silverferntravel.com before booking and we will explain in plain language.