Airbnb Launches Its Experiences Platform in New Zealand

No longer just a service to sleep in someone else's spare bedroom, Airbnb has launched its Experiences platform in New Zealand. The service allows hosts to share activities, tours or classes with Airbnb's network of travellers. As well as allowing locals to show off their unique "talents", it's perfect for those looking to gain insider knowledge and avoid the well-trodden tourist trail.

After a soft launch in Queenstown last year, there are now nearly 100 experiences available across the country. Travellers and locals alike can take a culinary tour of Wellington's Cuba Street with a local foodie, visit sites devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes on a walking tour, discover rich Māori cultural traditions in Queenstown, get a squash lesson with a former world champ in Auckland, or attempt to ride a giant penny farthing in the Victorian Precinct of Oamaru.

Hosts wanting to feature their own experience or hobby on the service need to submit their idea to a waitlist before setting a schedule, picking the price and preferred group size.

Airbnb Experiences first launched in 2016. There are now more than 15,000 experiences in more than 800 cities worldwide. Some of the most booked experiences include a food tour of Lisbon, a laughing tour of the Louvre and sampling the world's best tacos on bike.