by Charlie Garratt
The tour to New Zealand in 2023 was my first as Travel Manager for the Barmy Army. Having been on England tours in my previous role, as well as seeing the Barmy Army from the outside, I was now fully in the mix and getting a first hand induction to all things Barmy Army Travel. Having only recently joined the Barmy Army, I wasn’t involved with the specific planning of the tour in advance, like I have been with all the other tours since, but what a way to get up to speed in my new job!
I flew out with our travel members and was with them for the duration of the tour, taking in both Test Matches at Mount Maunganui & Wellington. I was there to ensure that everything went smoothly on the ground for the group in terms of the domestic flights, daily transfers & hotel check-ins etc.
We got off to an ‘interesting’ start, when everyone received an emergency alert on their phones saying a cyclone was about to hit and that we were all advised to stay put in our Auckland hotel. Thankfully, we escaped the worst and although we had to change a few plans, we had a great couple of days in Auckland acclimatising before the tour properly got underway.
It’s hard to narrow it down to one specific highlight from the tour as there were so many. The scenery is unparalleled, we had a great day trip to a winery towards the end of our time in Wellington and you can’t beat watching Test cricket while relaxing on a grass bank in the sunshine!
The atmosphere at both grounds was very special. The day-night test in Mount Maunganui was very relaxed during the day, but when the lights came on and a certain Stuart Broad had the ball in hand it all ramped up, with Finchy leading the way! Broad really got the crowd going as he was in the middle of one of his magic spells, blowing the NZ top order away in the second innings.
The tense finish of the second test (it was definitely a wide by the way), made for a great atmosphere to finish the tour and the NZ fans rightly enjoyed their Test winning celebrations.
A highlight I didn’t mention earlier on was the number of great places to eat & drink across all the destinations we visited. The Naumi hotel in Wellington (that we are using again on the 2024 tour) is perfectly located on Cuba Street, which is known for being a cultural hub in the city, with great restaurants and nightlife.
Our HQ’s are always a brilliant place to mingle with like minded cricket fans and they were both really popular destinations that were busy throughout our time in each destination. The Featherston (our Wellington HQ) being located almost next door to our other hotel in the city meant it was always buzzing after match days.
The hospitality we receive on every tour never ceases to amaze me and New Zealand leads the way on this front. Wandering around in Barmy Army merchandise is always a great conversation starter. Whether it’s in the local bars & restaurants, in the grounds or just walking down the street, there is always a friendly welcome.
I’m counting down the days until the tour later this year. If you’re thinking about joining us, do it! It’s one of the best places in the world, not only to watch test cricket, but also to explore the local areas and scenery. It really is breathtaking.
There is literally something for everyone and we have the added bonus this time around of visiting the South Island which will only elevate the experience further.
Join the Barmy Army in New Zealand later this year!
England Men are gearing up for an epic return to cricket paradise, New Zealand, in November and December 2024, for a thrilling three-test Tour! The dates have recently been confirmed, with Ben Stokes’ side travelling to Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton.
- 1st Test: Christchurch (28th Nov-2nd Dec)
- 2nd Test: Wellington (6th Dec-10th Dec)
- 3rd Test: Hamilton (14th Dec-18th Dec)
Matches between England and New Zealand have delivered some unforgettable moments in the past – most recently the Wellington one-run wonder. We’re confident that the upcoming England vs New Zealand series in December will add some memorable chapters to this cricket rivalry.
The Barmy Army is thrilled to be returning to New Zealand, and our Travel packages are LIVE. Fancy joining us there? Click the button below to book a package.
