About Us
The Waitomo Experience is a family owned caving business, created to share a more personal side of Waitomo. Our tours take place on private family farm that has been in our family for four generations, with groups of no more than six guests.
We believe adventure is best experienced, not observed. Leave the boardwalks behind as you climb, wade, swim and float through our exclusive private cave. Guided in small groups, you'll explore untouched passages illuminated by thousands of glowworms, creating an experience that's immersive, personal and unlike anywhere else in Waitomo.
Looking after this place is part of who we are. Our carbon positive farm and experienced local team are committed to protecting the cave, so future generations can enjoy it too.
Our team have backgrounds in adventure tourism, sustainability and safety. Our mission is to provide an experience our visitors will remember for a lifetime.
CORE values
At The Waitomo Experience our core values are the pillars of everything we do.
Safety is our top priority. Our guides are trained the highest standard to allow you to have an unforgettable experience, whilst remaining safe.
Small, bespoke tour groups with no more than six people per trip allow us to ensure all visitors have an intimate and personalised experience, whilst protecting the cave.
Adventure is at the heart of what we do. Our trip is tailored to make the most of our natural playground, incorporating black water rafting, rock jumps and swim throughs to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.
Our team
The Adventurers of The Waitomo Experience
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John started his long adventure tourism career throwing people off bridges, at the iconic AJ Hackett Bungy. After seeing the thrill and excitement people took away from this exciting industry, he was hooked on bringing exhilirating adventures to the world.
When John isn't taking the Waitomo underground playground to the world stage, you can find him out the back of surf breaks, or cruising the rivers trout fishing.
Ollie is a proud and passionate third generation farmer, born and raised on the land that the Okohua Glowworm Cave lies beneath. Growing up on the family farm, he developed a strong connection to the land and a deep sense of responsibility for caring for both the farm and the cave system it protects.
Ollie takes pride in offering small group tours that respect this unique natural environment.
Outside the cave, Ollie is an avid sportsman with a highly competitive mindset. He enjoys pushing himself to the limit and brings that same drive, energy, and passion to the Waitomo Experience.
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With over adecade of adventure tourism under his belt, Vaughan leads The Waitomo Experience with enthisiasm, wisdom and determination to ensure every visitorhas a memorable experience.
Vaughan is passionate about creating exhilirating adventures and teaching guests about the magical subterreanen world.
When he's not underground, you'll find Vaughan out adventuring with his kelpie dog, Dusky.
Chris and Louise Kay are the landlords of Tumu Tumu Farm and shareholders in The Waitomo Experience. Chris was born and raised on the land and has been exploring the cave systems beneath the farm since childhood.
Passionate about environmental stewardship, Chris and Louise plant thousands of native trees each year and are committed to protecting and enhancing the natural ecosystems on the property. Their dedication helps preserve the pristine beauty and ecological integrity of the Okohua Cave for future generations to enjoy.
After graduating from her Communications degree, Livi set off adventuring around the globe to find out what she wanted to communicate to the world.
After visiting both the Arctic and Antarctica, Livi realised the beauty of the natural world and sharing that with as many people as possible is what she was passionate about.
When Livi's not spreading the word of the breathaking Okohua cave, you'll find her exploring the farm on her horses, or growing flowers in her garden.
Jaimie is a Cave Guide and Digital Marketer at The Waitomo Experience, where she combines hands-on experience guiding visitors through theOkohua Glowworm Cave with expertise in digital marketing and content strategy.
Originally from Canada, she has lived in New Zealand for over a decade and has worked across the country's tourism industry in a variety of roles.
Jaimie writes about Waitomo, New Zealand travel, and adventure tourism, drawing on her experience helping travellers plan their trips and her first hand knowledge ofthe region's caves and attractions.
Dusky is our resident base dog and unofficial welcoming committee. You’ll usually find him chasing sticks, exploring around the base, or happily looking for pats from our guests.
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Kaitiakitanga (the Māori concept of guardianship and protection of the land and natural resources) is something we take seriously at The Waitomo Experience.
The Okohua cave lies on a fourth generation family farm that has planted thousands of native trees. For every booking that comes through for the Okohua Cave, we plant a native tree. We developed this initiative to always give back to Papatūānuku (mother earth) and protect our natural asset for generations to come.
Customer testimonials
Don't hear it from us, hear it from the explorers who’ve been underground.
Built on Trust
SUSTAINABLE
We operate on a carbon positive farm.
INTIMATE EXPERIENCE
We have one guide for every six people, with a maximum of 12 people per trip.
ADVENTURE OPTIONS
We provide a range of different options throughout your trip to ramp the adventure up or keep it more relaxing.
Built on Trust
Sustainable
We operate on a carbon positive farm.
SAFETY FIRST
Audited and certified by AdventureMark, governed by WorkSafe NZ.
FAMILY OWNED
We are a family owned and operated business .