Creating Meaningful Travel Experiences Since 1984
For more than 40 years, Calder & Lawson has been helping New Zealanders explore the world through thoughtfully designed small-group tours.
What began in 1984 as a Hamilton travel agency founded by friends Alastair Calder and John Lawson has evolved into one of New Zealand’s most respected escorted touring companies. Throughout that growth, one thing has never changed: our commitment to putting people first.
Today, we offer a carefully curated collection of small-group adventures throughout New Zealand and around the world, designed specifically for travellers who value comfort, genuine connections, expert planning, and enriching experiences.
Built on Experience
Our touring roots date back to 1990, when the first Travel & Learn tour departed in partnership with the University of Alaska. What started as an innovative educational travel programme soon grew into a comprehensive collection of international tours spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia.
Over the years, Calder & Lawson Tours has pioneered a wide range of travel styles, including:
- Travel & Learn tours
- Journeys by rail and small ship
- Walking tours
- Cycling tours
- Gourmet and themed experiences
- New Zealand discoveries
- Escapes, our slower-paced extended-stay tours
Generations of travellers have trusted us to design journeys that combine discovery, learning, comfort, and carefully balanced itineraries.
Independent, New Zealand-Owned
Calder & Lawson Tours remains proudly New Zealand-owned, led by Kevin & Meredith Palmer from Hamilton. As owners and operators, they are actively involved in every aspect of the business, from designing itineraries and selecting suppliers, to communicating with travellers and leading tours.
Alongside Kevin & Meredith are Rochelle, who manages tour operations, and Louise, who looks after the travel arrangements and logistics for our travellers. Together, our small New Zealand-based team brings decades of combined travel experience and shared passion for creating exceptional, memorable tours.
Being locally owned and operated means dealing with the same dedicated team for every interaction. We take pride in delivering personalised service, quick responses, and attention to detail. From the first enquiry to the journey home, we ensure all our travellers feel fully informed, supported, and well looked after.
Why Travellers Choose Calder & Lawson Tours
While destinations may change, our philosophy remains remarkably consistent. We work hard to create journeys where every detail has been carefully considered, from the accommodation and transport to local experiences and expert tour leadership. Most importantly, we genuinely care about the people who travel with us. Many guests return year after year. Others have travelled with us for decades. Those long-standing relationships are something we value deeply and never take for granted.
We believe travel should be:
- Well-paced and thoughtfully planned
- Comfortable without being pretentious
- Enriching without feeling like a lecture
- Immersive rather than rushed
- Safe and professionally managed
- Shared with like-minded travellers
Looking to the Future
Today, Calder & Lawson offers a diverse collection of tours across New Zealand and around the globe, including Discovery tours, Walking & Biking adventures, rail and small-ship Journeys, and our increasingly popular Escapes collection.
As we continue to evolve and introduce new experiences, we remain guided by the same principles that have defined the company since 1984: integrity, expertise, personal service, and a genuine commitment to creating memorable travel experiences.
More than four decades on, we are proud of our history, grateful for the trust of our travellers, and excited about the adventures still to come.
Meet our tour managers
One of the things that sets Calder & Lawson Tours apart is the quality of our tour managers.
For more than 35 years, we have specialised in carefully crafted small-group tours for New Zealand travellers. Over that time, we have learned that a great tour is about much more than the destination. It is the people who bring the journey to life.
Our tour managers are experienced travellers, skilled organisers, and genuinely caring hosts. They are chosen not only for their knowledge and professionalism, but also for their ability to connect with people, create a welcoming group atmosphere, and calmly handle the unexpected.
From the moment your tour begins, your tour manager is there to ensure everything runs smoothly. They take care of the logistics, provide local insights, help you get the most from each destination, and offer the reassurance that comes from travelling with an experienced professional by your side.
Many of our travellers tell us that the tour manager is one of the highlights of their journey. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, and dedication help transform a holiday into a memorable travel experience.
Below you can meet some of the exceptional people who lead Calder & Lawson Tours throughout New Zealand and around the world.
