Waiheke Horse Tours
Discover the beauty of Waiheke Island with Waiheke Horse Tours. Established in 2014, Liz Hewson leads captivating horseback riding adventures that showcase the island’s natural wonders. From handling bookings to guiding visitors and managing marketing initiatives, Liz’s dedication ensures a seamless experience. Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of Waiheke while enjoying the timeless bond between humans and horses. Book your unforgettable horse tour today!
From the very beginning, Liz has been the driving force behind Waiheke Horse Tours, managing every aspect of the business. Taking on various roles, she handles bookings, guides visitors on memorable horseback tours, and takes charge of website development and marketing initiatives. Through her determination, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit, she has established Waiheke Horse Tours as a top Waiheke activity with a 5-star reputation.
Liz’s hands-on involvement in every aspect of the business showcases her commitment to providing exceptional experiences to her customers. Her personal touch ensures that each tour is tailored to meet the unique needs and desires of her guests. By managing bookings, Liz ensures a smooth and efficient process, guaranteeing that visitors have a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Liz’s ability to handle multiple responsibilities and her unwavering commitment to providing outstanding customer experiences have been key factors in the continued success of Waiheke Horse Tours. Her passion for horses, combined with her business acumen and marketing savvy, allows her to showcase the beauty of Waiheke Island and share her love for horse riding with visitors from all over the world.
Liz is a passionate equestrian with a deep-rooted connection to horses and a lifelong involvement in the world of horse riding. Born into a family deeply entrenched in farming and horses, Liz was fortunate to have a father who was not only a skilled horse trainer but also a talented farrier and farmer.
Her journey began at the tender age of 4 when she received her first pony, igniting a lifelong love affair with horses. Growing up in the Manawatu and Rangitikei Regions of New Zealand, Liz developed a strong bond with nature and animals from an early age.
Liz’s passion for horses led her to actively participate in various equestrian activities. She became an active member of the Pony Club, immersing herself in the diverse range of equestrian disciplines it offered.
Recognizing her natural ability to connect with horses and share her knowledge with others, Liz embarked on teaching horse riding nearly two decades ago. Over the years, she has been a trusted mentor, guiding numerous riders of all ages and skill levels on their own equestrian journeys. Her patient and down-to-earth approach has inspired confidence and brought out the best in her students.
Liz’s expertise extends beyond teaching. With her extensive experience, she has successfully broken in and trained young horses, instilling in them the foundation and discipline necessary for a successful future.
One of Liz’s most cherished experiences was hunting on horseback with the hounds. The thrill of the chase and the unity between horse and rider during those exhilarating moments left an indelible mark on her equestrian journey.
Liz’s life is a testament to her unwavering passion for horses, her commitment to teaching and sharing her knowledge, and her profound connection to her heritage. Her dedication to equestrianism, combined with her rich cultural background and love for the land, makes her a truly quintessential Kiwi, embodying the spirit of New Zealand. Liz’s roots can be traced back to pioneer settlers and her deep connection to the land and her heritage is further enriched by her affiliation with Ngāti Hauiti.
Liz has amassed a wealth of knowledge that goes far beyond theoretical expertise. She has learned through countless hours spent in the saddle, caring for and training horses, and facing the unique challenges and rewards that come with these experiences.
During her overseas experience (OE) in the United Kingdom, Liz Hewson embarked on a new adventure by training under an ex-Fleet Street photographer. This opportunity allowed her to delve into the world of photography and expand her skill set.
Working alongside her mentor, Liz had the chance to capture still images on TV productions and photo calls, and studio portraits. Liz honed her abilities to capture fleeting moments and convey stories through her photographs.
Additionally, Liz delved into the art of 35mm film development and printing. Immersed in the traditional black-and-white film photography process, she learned the intricacies of developing film and bringing images to life in the darkroom.
Liz’s time as a photographer not only broadened her skill set but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of visual storytelling. Through her lens, she developed an eye for detail, composition, and the ability to capture the essence of a moment.
Liz has honed her abilities and developed a unique perspective that allows her to capture the essence and beauty of the landscape and she enjoys being able to share this with her clients offering them fantastic memories of their horse riding experience with Waiheke Horse Tours.
In addition to her equestrian pursuits, her film background began with an exciting opportunity to be cast as a regular extra in the renowned “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. In this epic cinematic adventure, Liz played the roles of a Rohan refugee and a fighting elf, immersing herself in the fantastical world of Middle-earth.
Inspired by her experiences in front of the camera, Liz transitioned into working behind the scenes in film production. She found her niche in the industry by joining the esteemed Unit 2A and Miniatures Units.
Liz understands the value of immersing herself fully in her passions and pursuits, whether it be in equestrianism, film production, or any other endeavor she undertakes. She recognizes that practical experience provides invaluable insights, hones skills, and deepens understanding in ways that traditional qualifications alone cannot.
I had a really great time coming here. Even though i came in Winter, Liz made riding on the beach possible - just for me! Also, we went to the top of a cliff/mountain (?) And had the most stunning view. As a keepsake, the Fotos taken were absolutely gorgeous.Big, big recommendation!!
Had a great experience it was my first time riding a horse, I was nervous. Liz is absolutely amazing and very professional. She made me feel comfortable and made the experience so fun!!!Highly recommend this place. The view is breath taking.
We had such a lovely time with Liz and the horses. My 8 year old and 4 year old had a beginner class and then a ride by the beach. It was a lovely experience for them. We willDefinitely be back to see Secret, the kids fav pony.
Liz was amazing! She gave very clear instructions and took really good photos. It was great to learn a bit about the horses - I had Moss. The ride took us past some truly spectacular views. It’s worth every dollar, I can’t recommend this enough!
Incredible! I was a bit nervous as a first time rider and was worried as it was expensive in order to get there as I had to get a ferry, bus and taxi, but I can not put into words how much is was worth it! Liz was incredibly friendly and instantly put me at ease. Her horse moss was gorgeous and so patient. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. Liz also took the most amazing photos and videos.
A wonderful ride with a spectacular sea view, great and very well-behaved horses, also suitable for beginners. Thank you Liz for that expirience and the pictures you took. I'll definatly do it again 😀
Me and my partner did this with no horse riding experience and enjoyed every moment. Liz the instructor was an excellent guide.
Liz is an amazing tour guide! We learned a lot about the area, and the sites were to die for. All of her horses were lovely too. Please remember that animals have preferences just like humans; whenever you go anywhere where you are interacting with animals, be open! Morgan and Walker were wonderful horses to ride. Highly recommend!!!
Absolutely amazing experience! Not only is the island scenery stunning but the horses are beautifully cared for by Liz, and a sheer delight to ride! Thank you Moss, Waka and Derado for the privilege of a beach ride and ticking it off my bucket list 😊
Fantastic horse trek, highly recommend will definitely come back. Thanks so much Liz for such a memorable time
Our daughter has never ridden a horse - it was her dream - Liz made our ride so incredibly special, by her kindness in her teachings and patience as we got used to Moss and Waka - both stunning, kind horses. Liz and her horses have a genuine gift of connecting with the hearts of those that they teach - thank you so much Liz for such an amazing afternoon - can’t wait to see you again ♥️
I have had so many wonderful rides with Liz at Waiheke Horse Tours. The most recent was a beginners' lesson and beach ride with my sister and nephew. It was a lovely experience and a great start to their visit to Aotearoa New Zealand. The horses are all wonderful characters and do a great job of looking after riders of all skill levels. Highly recommend!
Waiheke Horse Tours are fantastic. Highly recommend!When we got to the island for our day trip, Ryda was going to be $66 one way and we opted to do the e-bikes from the ferry station. If you’re thinking about that option pls know that it’s about a 45 min ride both along curvy streets and some hilly gravel/dirt road. We go biking often so this was a fun treat. Liz got us on our horses Waka and Morgan who were perfectly matched to myself and my boyfriend. Our longer ride included a short lesson, a ride up the hill overlooking the bay and back down to the beach. It was the most scenic, private, and authentic experiences we could’ve asked for. The horses were so calm and wonderful to us newbies. The views and paths were like no where else! It was a dream to experience it. The other major perk was Liz took amazing photos and videos of us courtesy with the ride. Thanks Liz, Waka, and Morgan.
Was a lovely day. The place is spectacular surrounded by green hills and a small beach where you can get into the water with the horses. The horses are very well cared for and very healthy. Liz left me some boots to be more comfortable on wet ground. The attention is very good. A totally recommendable experience to enjoy the peace and happiness that horses and nature offer you.
Had a great experience with Liz, she was very welcoming and was great with my 8yr old daughter answering the millions of questions she had and explaining everything to a horse mad child. We did the lesson and the beach walk option. We will be back one day.
A perfect afternoon’s with beautiful horses. The care and attention that Liz provides to both riders and her horses was outstanding, and catered for very differing abilities.
Liz was amazing and made us feel very comfortable riding english style. This is definitely worth the venture out. Dorado and Moss were so adorable in the water!
Waiheke Horse Tours A++ Would highly recommend and will return for future rides. I’ve been riding before but my experience with Liz and Waka was above and beyond. I really appreciated Liz’s teachings and guidance so I could build a better relationship with Waka before starting our ride. Beautiful, breathtaking location. Thank you! 🥰🐴
Absolutely amazing! I am not a horse person and was a bit nervous about the experience but Liz was so lovely and put me at ease. She chose the perfect horse for me and I had the best time. Would highly recommend!
