Intrepid has opened a new regional office in central Auckland, strengthening its commercial base across a market where demand for responsible travel continues to rise. The office sits inside the Historic Market Buildings at 39 Market Place and brings together teams supporting inbound, outbound and trade operations.
The move anchors Intrepid’s multi-year expansion strategy in Aotearoa New Zealand. The company has grown from operating adventure tours for international visitors to managing a full-scale regional business with global outbound product for Kiwis. The Auckland hub provides the operational platform needed to run this broader footprint as Intrepid prepares for the next stage of growth.
Why the Auckland office matters for Intrepid’s New Zealand strategy
Intrepid’s acquisitions of Haka Tours and ANZ Nature Tours represented a major shift in its role across Aotearoa. The business now spans domestic adventure, guided nature experiences and outbound small-group travel, connecting Kiwis to more than 900 trips worldwide. The new office centralises this activity and removes fragmentation that had developed as the company scaled.
Chief Executive James Thornton said the company’s commitment to New Zealand is long term because sustainability, community and nature-based travel continue to shape the country’s tourism outlook.
“Our new Auckland office is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to investing locally and growing our presence in the region,” he said.
New Zealand remains one of Intrepid’s strongest-performing destinations. The company’s leadership views the new hub as essential infrastructure to support growth, product diversification and a stable regional workforce.
What consolidation means for trade partners and suppliers
The Auckland office creates a single interface for agents, suppliers and partners. New Zealand General Manager Simon Mckearney said the space brings the local team together and provides a stronger operational base to deliver high-quality experiences across Aotearoa and global product for Kiwis.
For the trade, the shift offers clearer communication lines, faster turnaround on itinerary development and more consistent support across inbound and outbound product. Local suppliers gain access to a more coordinated contracting and program design process at a time when operators seek capacity stability and longer booking visibility.
The consolidation is likely to improve product speed-to-market across domestic and international inventory as the business integrates legacy systems and aligns operations under one roof.
How the move aligns with Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism direction
The investment lands as New Zealand’s tourism sector focuses on regenerative outcomes, community benefit and environmental protection. This direction aligns with Intrepid’s operating model and strengthens the company’s position in a market where travellers want clarity on sustainability commitments.
Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges said the new office signals confidence in the region’s economy and in the role tourism will play in future business growth.
“Intrepid’s investment in a new Auckland office is a vote of confidence in our tourism and business landscape,” he said.
“It’s great to see continued global interest in building a strong presence here.”
His comments align with market forecasts showing steady inbound recovery, strong spend from long-haul markets and continued interest in nature-driven travel.
The centralised hub gives Intrepid a more coherent base to engage with government agencies, Māori operators and regional organisations that shape the country’s tourism agenda.
Responsible travel demand continues to rise across Aotearoa
The Intrepid Foundation remains active in New Zealand, with ongoing support for Forest & Bird. The partnership funds conservation programs that protect native species and ecosystems. For travellers, it creates opportunities to engage with community-led work and understand the environmental impact of tourism.
Responsible travel continues to gain traction across Australia and New Zealand as travellers seek slower, lower-impact experiences. Agents are seeing more interest in small-group tours with strong sustainability credentials, while operators indicate customers expect transparency backed by certifications. Intrepid’s B Corp status provides that assurance and strengthens its competitive position.
The Auckland hub connects Kiwi travellers to global small-group travel
Intrepid’s outbound business for Kiwis now spans more than 900 trips in over 100 countries. The new hub centralises sales, training, distribution and customer support for this growing segment. It also gives Intrepid a regional base to accelerate recovery as airlines lift capacity across long-haul corridors.
The office will help align local consumer insights with global program development. This connection supports pricing responsiveness, itinerary design and sustainability frameworks across the company’s broader operational network.
What this opening signals for the next phase of growth
The new Auckland office marks a structural shift in how Intrepid operates across New Zealand. The company is moving from a distributed model to a consolidated hub that can sustain future acquisitions, deepen industry partnerships and scale product development across inbound and outbound markets.
The office launch brought together staff and industry leaders to recognise Intrepid’s expanding role in New Zealand’s visitor economy. Attendees underscored the importance of investment that links commercial outcomes with community and environmental priorities.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The Auckland hub signals Intrepid’s shift from scaling fast to scaling with structure as responsible travel demand rises across New Zealand.
