The stories Marie told us embracing seven generations of her family and their relationship with Akaroa. Her passion for past, present and future is very energising.

  Profoundly educational and meaningful

In February, 2023, Marie introduced us to Akaroa's history, flora, fauna. Four hours flashed by as we were additionally regaled with historical and personal... read more orations of the Akaroa-Hawai'i nexus. A vivid storyteller, historian, ecologist, scone and coffee maker, Marie is also a damn good driver.

  Akaroa is a magical place and Marie Haley brings the history and culture to life. Growing up in the states I heard stories of my ancestors arriving in New Zealand... read more on a ship from France. As a child it sounded like a fairy tale. When I finally made it to New Zealand, I planned to visit the Banks Peninsula. Had I not discovered Marie's Seventh Generation tour, I would have enjoyed the scenery, and left thinking it was a beautiful place. Marie helped me understand why my ancestors came to this amazing place, how they lived, and why they left. Marie's personal story gives her a deep understanding of Akaroa's multi-faceted history. Her tour exceeded all of my expectations and was a true highlight of my visit to NZ.

  We had an incredible tour with Marie. She was very knowledgeable of Akaroa and Maori history and she provided unique insights to the land that you can't get on any... read more other tour. I can't recommend this highly enough, this tour is a must-do in Akaroa!!!

  Marie provided us with an incredible personalised tour full of amazing sites and historical knowledge. As a seventh generation descendant of the original settlers of Akaroa Marie had incredible insight... read more and personal knowledge of this lovely town and its surroundings. Highly recommend to anyone.

  Marie Haley describes herself as a storyteller, historian and ecologist. But more than that, she has a unique personal perspective as a seventh-generation descendant of one of the original French... read more settlers of Akaroa. Marie combines geology with mythology, paying tribute to the original Maori inhabitants of the Banks Peninsula. She brings history to life by showing significant places that aren't in any guidebook. She then provides a spectacular overview of the village and harbor from a viewpoint hundreds of meters above sea level. To our surprise and delight, she served afternoon tea with scones and homemade jam, before venturing into the fog of the eastern bays of the peninsula. We left with a deep appreciation of the land and the people who who have made it their home.

  Marie's knowledge, passion and connection to the land was inspiring. She was able to combine history, ecology, culture, geology, storytelling and more into a very informative three hours. I felt... read more we had a much greater understanding of the Banks Peninsula and it therefore gave much more meaning to our visit.

  We joined Marie’s tour after a chance meeting with her at the Benmore Dam lookout earlier this year. And what a tour.

We had a warm welcome outside... read more of the old post office on the main drag. Here she outlined where she would be taking us and the focus for the tour. Then off we set travelling beyond the wharf along the coast road to learn about some of the Maori history of the area and it’s significance in the overall NZ context. We then moved on to European history in Akaroa in which her family history played a significant part.

Some yummy scones for morning tea in the reserve overlooking the town provide the transition from the history to the nature aspect of the tour. Background on native plant restoration on the peninsula was then followed with a trip over the hill to learn the story of Hugh Wilson’s efforts over decades to start and expand the Hinewai Reserve. Beautiful native bush supplanting the bare land and gorse to give a ‘summit to sea’ reserve. It adjoins farmland that has been in Marie’s family for generations.

What sets this tour apart is the detail of information and Marie’s passion for the area. She interweaves her own family story and philosophy into the tour and the business name is intertwined into this.

Thanks Marie

  A very special experience with a “living treasure”,this is an excursion that should not be missed. Who better to recount the local history and stories but a 7th generation local.... read more Respectful of the Māori narrative, Marie weaves human endeavour, geological activity and recent ecological initiatives into a feast of information that held us enthralled for the afternoon. We are planning a return trip to Akaroa, and hope she will have a Part 2 itinerary for us then.

  We took our two kids with us on this tour with Marie.they are 12 and 14. Originally the tour was because I have a familial French connection to the Akaroa... read more area. The kids were way more into it than I thought they would be and asked lots of questions which Marie answered willingly and with enthusiasm. I think the positivity that Marie maintains toward the future of the environment and the planet was catching and my children felt a flicker of hope to discover through the tour just how much some people are doing for the planet they love.
Josie

  We took our two kids with us on this tour with Marie.they are 12 and 14. Originally the tour was because I have a familial French connection to the Akaroa... read more area. The kids were way more into it than I thought they would be and asked lots of questions which Marie answered willingly and with enthusiasm. I think the positivity that Marie maintains toward the future of the environment and the planet was catching and my children felt a flicker of hope to discover through the tour just how much some people are doing for the planet they love. Josie

  We joined Marie’s tour after a chance meeting with her at the Benmore Dam lookout earlier this year. And what a tour. We had a warm welcome outside... read more of the old post office on the main drag. Here she outlined where she would be taking us and the focus for the tour. Then off we set travelling beyond the wharf along the coast road to learn about some of the Maori history of the area and it’s significance in the overall NZ context. We then moved on to European history in Akaroa in which her family history played a significant part. Some yummy scones for morning tea in the reserve overlooking the town provide the transition from the history to the nature aspect of the tour. Background on native plant restoration on the peninsula was then followed with a trip over the hill to learn the story of Hugh Wilson’s efforts over decades to start and expand the Hinewai Reserve. Beautiful native bush supplanting the bare land and gorse to give a ‘summit to sea’ reserve. It adjoins farmland that has been in Marie’s family for generations. What sets this tour apart is the detail of information and Marie’s passion for the area. She interweaves her own family story and philosophy into the tour and the business name is intertwined into this. Thanks Marie