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Meet Joni, one of our travel experts for New Zealand.
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Born in the Southwest, raised in the Northwest, I have called the South Pacific home for over 30 years. I founded J2 Travels in the late 1990s to share our knowledge with other like minded travelers – remembering always, that the joy is in the journey. I currently live on Maui, I'm endorsed by IATA, and am a member of the Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand Tourism Boards.
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"I want to say a big THANK YOU!! We had the most amazing time on our trip. Everything was wonderful. We absolutely loved Queenstown. We took the bus out to Milford Sound and then took a helicopter back as you suggested. It was raining the whole way out there but then the rain disappeared so we saw so many waterfalls it was breathtaking! We also went horseback riding in Glenorchy (well, I did – Pete got sick!) and that was amazing. The drive out there was beautiful and the ride itself was really fun. We tried to go skydiving but unfortunately it cancelled twice because of the winds. We also went jetboating,and spent a lot of time in the restaurants and bars in town. We then spent a few hours in Nelson and went out to Bleinhem for a day and did some wine-tasting, which was a lot of fun. When we were in Motueka we spent sometime relaxing and then did an 8 hour kayak/hike through Abel Tasman, which was truly amazing…and tiring! We spent a lot of our time in Rotorua just hanging out at the hotel and relaxing because it was just so beautiful, but we did go to hell’s gate which was really neat. In Auckland we spent a day walking around and then played golf one day. We also went to dinner at the Mudbrick restaurant in Waiheke which was great.
And on to Fiji...it was amazing! We loved Tokoriki. It was a beautiful spot and the Fijian people that worked there were so warm and friendly. The honeymoon bure that we stayed in was absolutely amazing, and we spent a lot of time just hanging out in our plunge pool. We also went snorkeling a few times, which was great. The food was also really good. As for the seaweed, there was definitely a fair bit of seaweed around and a slight smell of it, but it really wasn’t a big problem. After the first day we didn’t even think about it. I would definitely recommend Tokoriki to others, and would love to go back someday.
Thank you again for all of your help. We will definitely let our friends and family know how great you were when they head off to NZ / Fiji!
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- Megan & Pete
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"We had a fantastic time in Fiji. Qamea was particularly wonderful-rustic, authentic, beautiful, and communal. Staff members were incredibly friendly and always very accommodating. Namale was spectacular and definitely more upscale. Our bure was so elegant and we had a private deck overlooking the ocean that was phenomenal. We appreciated the remoteness and feel of Qamea over Namale, however, so we were delighted to have been there longer. I would certainly recommend Qamea to anyone traveling to that area of the world.
Thanks again for arranging this remarkable trip. It was incredibly unique and one we will remember always. We're both grateful to you.
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- Naomi & Matt
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"The Four Seasons Maui and your recommendations for the other island resorts we visited were wonderful. The Four Seasons Maui is impeccable, as we also enjoyed the Halekulani on Oahu and the Hyatt at Poipu on Kauai.
Thank you so much for your attention to detail, your availability every step of the way planning our honeymoon and assisting our guests. Your surprise gifts to us and our guests were extra special touches, and I can't rave enough about you. Even through the most stressful times I endured, you always kept your calm and made sure we were taken care of. You went above and beyond for us, going to the Four Seasons to take pictures of the construction before we got there for the wedding so we would be prepared, calling around to local stores to help me find items for gift baskets, giving us the scoop on where to shop, eat, etc.-all in such great detail as well!
You really are a true, experienced travel agent that doesn't just book trips, but travels to and knows the areas and resorts in which you book your clients and you become a trusted friend. It is with the utmost gratitude we write this in appreciation for everything you did to help make our honeymoon dreams come true for us and our guests.
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- Michelle & Scott
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"We are now home and slowly acclimating to reality. We had the most fabulous time on our holiday and want to thank you for seeing to it that every little detail was well planned, organized, and executed. We feel you really listened to our desires and planned "THE PERFECT" holiday...thank you so very much. We will definitely call you again and have recommended you to several of our friends. It is obvious that you really know both New Zealand and Fiji as I'm sure you know the other locations you book for your clients, I especially liked how you found locations that were less "touristy" and more reflective of the countries we were visiting...just as I requested. Thank you!"
- Randy and Teresa
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Kurstan and I had the most amazing time on our trip to Maui. The wedding went off without a hitch, even though when we arrived at the house that we rented for the occasion there were hurricane strength winds. They died down in just enough time to get the flower circle in a perfect place overlooking the ocean and everything went according to plan. The ceremony was thoughtful and such a happy time for us as well as Kurstan's mom and Jack who seemed pleased with the arrangements as well.
As for the honeymoon, that was a vacation of a lifetime. I have never been as happy as I was on this trip. The hotel was lovely and the service was fantastic. Our room was more spacious than I imagined and the view was breathtaking. The hotel itself was beautiful from the lounges to the restaurants to the pool area to the beach. The beach was the best that we saw on the island.
Also, Joni, you were so helpful in getting everything arranged with us and Kurstan's mom. It was difficult for us not having ever been to Maui figuring out where to stay and what to do, but you were more than helpful in making this a trip that will be remembered throughout our lives. What a way to start a marriage!
And, thank you for the champagne you sent to our room upon our arrival. It was such a great way to start our trip.
Thank you so much for everything, and we'll definitely contact you for any help we need with travel in the future.
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- Heather & Kurstan
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Lisa and I had a magical experience at Qamea and everything was wonderful! You prepared us perfectly and all the details were worry free. We had a beautiful sunny day outdoor wedding in Michigan and then whisked away to paradise.
Thank you does not fully communicate our appreciation and we will be sending you referrals at every opportunity. We will be in touch soon and again, sincere thanks and warm regards!
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- Scott & Lisa
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Hey Joni! Thanks so much for checking in. We had an awesome time! Best vacation ever!! Would love to talk with you about everything, let me know when is good for you? We really want to go back, maybe in a few years.
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- Traci
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Kiwi 360
The Kiwi360 logo device is the shape of a kiwifruit slice, made up of Maori canoe paddles (waka hoe). The inclusion of Waka Hoe symbolises the land's Maori heritage, the Mana Whenua of this land to the Tauranga Moana Iwi, and the orderly cooperation between peoples which has resulted in the success of our business.
Photo copyright Kiwi 360.
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Overview
'Kiwifruit Country' was established in 1987 to offer visitors to New Zealand a fascinating look into this furry brown berry and just how it has become so popular, and responsible for so much success.
We were also founded to celebrate the country within which the Kiwifruit has thrived.
Kiwi360 was purchased in 2003 by a consortium of Maori Kiwifruit Orchard Trusts, affiliated predominately to the Ngati Pukenga Iwi. Ngati Pukenga is a relatively small tribe and part of the larger Tauranga Moana Iwi. The land of which Kiwi360 rests historically belonged to Ngati Pukenga, so it as with immense pride and significance that they were able to reacquire the valuable property. Ngati Pukenga peoples are the tangata whenua of our precious Kiwi360 landscape. Individual members of the Tapsell family form part of the ownership consortium, and these owners are direct descendants of Hans Tapsell, the first European Trader to settle in Maketu.
In 2004, we became Kiwi360. A name change was a natural progression for the business, better reflecting our vision to become a hub of attractions and events at an international level. The use of 360 (degrees) speaks to our all-embracing focus on those things that make New Zealand special – our cultures, peoples, land, history and industry.
The Kiwi360 businesses are owned by members of the Crossman family. Various members of the family group compose every experienced management team, providing world-class service. Our staff is composed by talented people who share a passion for giving visitors top quality service, every time.
Visitors to our Te Puke attraction have had fun and been fascinated here in 'Kiwifruit Country' for decades, and we look forward to welcoming you to do the same.
A Brief History of Te Puke
Around 1350, the Te Arawa canoe landed at Maketu, after sailing from Hawaiki. The canoe was under the command of chief Tamatekapua, and he was responsible for many of the original place names of the area. Maori ventured up the rivers and streams and built many Pa in the area. The name Te Puke appears on maps as early as 1867, long before there was any significant European settlement on the site.
Captain James Cook, the first known European to visit the area, sailed between Motiti Island and the coast in 1769. This was his first voyage to New Zealand, but he did not land here. Cook named the area the Bay of Plenty as he observed that it was well populated and looked very fertile.
After the tribal wars began to ease in the 1840s, European settlers began to move to the area though not in great numbers. In 1876, James Fenton from Tauranga blazed a trail over the Papamoa saddle to Te Puke to bring surveyor Baber to the area. Before this, getting to Te Puke involved a difficult and dangerous sea journey or a tedious walk along the beach. The large swamplands around Te Puke were impassable and this kept the area from becoming settled.
However, as demand for land in the Tauranga area increased, the Tauranga Working Men's Land Association was formed in 1877. They petitioned the government for 3000 acres of land in Te Puke, and the first of these settlers arrived in 1879.
Explore our Te Puke location using our interactive Google map.
Ngati Pukenga
Kiwi360 , our great Bay of Plenty attraction, was purchased in 2003 by a consortium of Maori Kiwifruit Orchard Trusts, affiliated predominately to the Ngati Pukenga Iwi. Ngati Pukenga is a relatively small tribe and part of the larger Tauranga Moana Iwi. The land, on which Kiwi360 rests, historically belonged to Ngati Pukenga. It was with immense pride and significance that they were able to re-acquire the valuable property. Ngati Pukenga peoples are the tangata whenua of our precious Kiwi360 landscape. Individual members of the Tapsell family form part of the ownership consortium, and these owners are direct descendants of Hans Tapsell, the first European Trader to settle in Maketu.
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