My first time to NZ and I couldn't have started it better. Booked our tickets from Australia, before we left, and arranged for pick up at Methven Information Centre. Bus arrived promptly on time. We were greeted by Hammond, who was our driver for the day. He was a font of knowledge, having worked in the sound industry and also with Peter Jackson on the LOTR movies. Hammond knew this locality and the weather and warned us that the wind builds up where we will be going.
Everything was great about this tour! The tour guide, the added props, the light lunch afterwards and even the morning coffee break at the Staveley Store.
Highly recommended, you won't forget it!