Lauren is a fab leader!!

My most memorable part of the entire trip was, without a doubt, Lauren—our group leader.

Her zest for life is infectious. From day one, she brought an energy that lifted the whole group and set the tone for the experience. She has an incredible way of making everyone feel welcome, included, and at ease, no matter their background or travel experience. That kind of atmosphere doesn’t just happen—it comes from someone who genuinely cares, and it really showed.

Her knowledge of New Zealand was also a huge highlight. Whether it was sharing local tips, explaining the history behind places we visited, or pointing out hidden gems along the way, she added so much depth to the trip that you simply wouldn’t get travelling solo.

What stood out most, though, was her consistency. Every single day she showed up with the same positive attitude, patience, and professionalism. Managing a group of 17 people—each with different personalities, expectations, and needs—across a country like New Zealand is no easy task, yet she made it look effortless.

Lauren is a real asset to Intro Travel and absolutely deserves recognition for the way she leads a tour. She didn’t just organise the trip—she elevated the entire experience and made it genuinely unforgettable.

Haka House Hostels - a full review is to be done re these hostels. They are not welcoming at all, staff are miserable & ignorant. I would never book a Haka House Hostel in the future! There are so many better places to stay in New Zealand and these hostels let the overall experience down. I have given 5 stars because of Lauren.