Michelle Srzich
Let me guide you with my local knowledge of how to make the most of your time in New Zealand and the Fiji islands. I am a local 'Kiwi' born in Aotearoa New Zealand , so this country holds a special place in my heart and I am excited to share this beautiful part of the world with you.
I like to get to know you, the traveler, and design an itinerary that incorporates your own interests and captures the essence of the New Zealand experience while adding my own unique suggestions that I know you will love. I am also here in the country when you are traveling to help out with some local travel tips.
I can also help with your Fijian travel plans as this lovely island nation makes a great stopover on your way to New Zealand , or as a destination on its own.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in bespoke tailor-made self-drive tours and privately guided itineraries. I am a big supporter of sustainable travel and prefer to recommend and support smaller locally-owned suppliers of accommodation and day tours so that people visiting New Zealand can discover the uniqueness of our country and the warmth and friendliness of our Kiwi hospitality. My tours are built from experience and are respectful of the communities you are visiting.
For activities, I like to incorporate many different ones including hiking and cycling (with the option of e-bikes), food and wine, and wildlife activities, such as kiwi and native penguin spotting in their natural environment. I also like to offer scenic flights and cruises to give the traveler even more options to view our stunning natural scenery. "
How did you get involved in travel?
"A year as a Rotary Exchange Student in Illinois as a teenager first opened my eyes to the world of travel and after some more overseas travel after university, it was a natural progression to choose Tourism as a career.
I have extensive experience in outbound leisure travel and corporate travel and now I love working in Inbound New Zealand and South Pacific travel. I have traveled New Zealand and the world on working holidays as a backpacker, later with my own three children, and these days with the children grown up I prefer to travel with a little more luxury!
"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"A helicopter ride to the Luxmore Hut on Fiordland's Kepler track followed by a hike with a local guide through the alpine landscape is one of New Zealand's best one day experiences. Even better if you can follow it up with an overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound - waking up in this pristine natural landscape is really magical. "
Michelle's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
With two weeks in New Zealand, you can experience the natural wonders of the North and South Islands on a highlights tour. Alternatively, narrow your focus to one region and...
Most people visiting Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, and Queenstown spend about 11 to 14 days in New Zealand, which usually includes some time in Auckland and Rotorua as...
On this 21-day adventure by air, land, and sea, you don't have to pick between New Zealand's North and South Islands—see the best of both. Experience the glowworm caves of...
Family itineraries
This itinerary leads your family through some of the South Island's most striking scenery, with plenty of fun along the way. As you make your way from Christchurch to...
With two weeks in New Zealand, you can experience the entire country on a family-friendly, fast-paced highlights tour with cultural excursions in Rotorua, a ride on the...
A 16-day tour of New Zealand is just the right length to appreciate the beauty and diversity of its two main islands, the North and South Islands. Start in Auckland,...
Luxury itineraries
Experience the wilderness and wildlife of New Zealand's South Island on this 15-day self-drive itinerary. By day, you'll drive through breathtaking landscapes and embark on...
With one week in New Zealand, you can indulge in the finer things in life while admiring soaring mountains, lush vineyards, and turquoise lakes. Focusing on either the North...
Discover the highlights of New Zealand's North Island on this weeklong luxury tour. From Auckland, you'll hit the road south, staying at spectacular 5-star hotels as you make...
Road trip itineraries
This 16-day New Zealand self-drive itinerary brings out the best of the North and South islands combining nature and adventure with relaxation. Start in Auckland, tick off...
One of the best ways to experience New Zealand's diverse geography and wildlife is to get on the road and see it for yourself. This 11-day itinerary forges a path from the...
This 10-day road trip in the South Island combines the best New Zealand has to offer. Discover jaw-dropping scenery here, including Lake Tekapo and its turquoise waters, Mount...
Honeymoon itineraries
Step off the beaten track and explore remote corners of New Zealand's South Island with this weeklong luxury tour. On this self-drive adventure, travel from Christchurch to...
Savor the best of New Zealand's world-class wines and farm-to-fork cuisine on this luxurious weeklong tour of the South Island. Begin in history-soaked Christchurch, then road...
Active types can venture farther off the beaten path and experience the diverse landscapes of New Zealand's North and South islands with this intrepid 19-day road trip. As you...
Recent trip reviews for Michelle
Local expert needed for New Zealand Adventure
New Zealand
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Jan 9 - Jan 21, 2026
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, Gayle. It was a pleasure working with you on this trip and I am so pleased to see that you noticed the value of our local knowledge in planning and booking a trip like this. Happy future travels with Kimkim!
This was an amazing trip!
New Zealand
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Jan 19 - Jan 28, 2026
Thanks for your review, it sounds like you really had a blast in the South Island. I hope we see you back here again some time for the North - there are some great golf courses there too! Michelle
Mel climbed a mountain with me. Wonderful. ...
New Zealand
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Jan 12 - Jan 19, 2026
Mel climbed a mountain with me. Wonderful. The helicopter couldn’t go due to weather, but the backup plan was great.
Overnight cruise was a highlight of the year. Dave, our captain, Mikey, our chef, and Anna were all great as were the other guests. Lobster catch turned into dinner as did our fish from our fishing efforts.
All was great.
Thanks for your review and feedback, I will pass on to Fiordland Expeditions , they will be as thrilled as I am to know this was the highlight of the year!
Such an amazing experience in NZ! 18 days of pure beauty!!!
New Zealand
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Dec 29 - Jan 14, 2026
Thanks so much for your feedback, I am thrilled to see I really nailed it with planning the perfect trip for you and Ben. So glad it all went well and happy future travels with Kimkim! Michelle
pretty much everything we did was a highlight of our trip
New Zealand
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Dec 22 - Jan 3, 2026
Thanks so much for your review, I am absolutely thrilled that the trip went so well and that you have such amazing memories from your family trip. We do try to find those 'hidden gems' and provide the type of trip you can't find in a google search or using A.I to plan the itinerary so is nice when travelers like yourselves acknowledge the value of a good local travel specialist to assist with the planning. Happy future travels with Kimkim!
Wonderful Trip! Michelle did amazing and we c...
New Zealand
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Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2026
Thanks so much for your review and your recommendation of my service, I am thrilled the trip came together so well.
All the best for your future travels with Kimkim!
We were able to focus on the fun part of trip planning and leave the logistics to the professionals.
New Zealand
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Nov 13 - Nov 29, 2025
Thanks so much for your review and for taking the time to send me your further feedback on your experiences in New Zealand. You have taken home some amazing memories! I am glad you appreciated how much the local knowledge can add to your trip and I am sure you will be happy to work with Kimkim again for your future travels.
Great time in New Zealand!
New Zealand
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Nov 12 - Nov 25, 2025
Thanks for the great review Shannon , it was a pleasure working with you on this trip and putting together time in New Zealand to fit around your other plans in Australia. The hotel with the great views in Queenstown was the Heritage in case anyone reading this was curious.
All the best!
Amazing!!
New Zealand
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Nov 23 - Dec 5, 2025
We are so lucky to have found Michelle! We had the most incredible trip to New Zealand and everything was perfect. We had beautiful hotels, fun activities, and lots of support along the way. The Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, Fiordland Lodge, and Lakestone Lodge were the nicest hotels we've ever stayed in and the shotover jet in Queenstown, glow worms in Te Anu, and cruise on the Milford Sound were fabulous once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Thanks Michelle!
It was such a pleasure creating this trip for you Emily and thanks for your review.
All the best for your future travels!
Love the trip planned all the right activitie...
New Zealand
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Dec 28 - Jan 7, 2025
Love the trip planned all the right activities. Wish she was a bit more communicative about her travels when she wasn’t going to respond and make sure we had someone to communicate with but she planned a great trip with great activities
Thanks so much for taking the time to post your review of your New Zealand vacation. Happy future travels!