About Release NZ team Wanaka & Queenstown

At Release NZ, we are proud to call Wānaka and New Zealand – home.

As long-time locals with over 18 years of experience in luxury vacation rentals and high-end tourism across the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand, we bring deep local knowledge, trusted connections, and a passion for excellence to everything we do.

Our local team specialises in curating exclusive stays in Wānaka and Queenstown’s most exceptional private villas, lodges, and estates. We go beyond luxury accommodation – crafting tailor-made New Zealand experiences that immerse our guests in the natural beauty, adventure, culture, and fine cuisine of this extraordinary part of the world.

Whether you’re seeking a luxury escape, a bespoke family adventure, or a private retreat with world-class service, our insider access and personalised approach ensure every stay is seamless, unique, and unforgettable.

Let us help you discover Wānaka, Queenstown and the entire Southern Lakes region of New Zealand in a way few get to experience.

Nick

Director

Meet Nick, the CEO of the company, the boss, the head honcho, the main man, whatever you want to call him, Nick is the founder of Release NZ and takes charge in head office, when the team lets him! Starting in 2006 with the construction of the first Release property, he has organically built up Release NZ over the past 17 years. He controls the day to day running of the business, including helping clients with Real Estate advice and has the final say on all things ‘Release’! Outside of work, Nick loves to explore Wanaka on his mountain bike and heads out fishing on the lakes.

Andrea

Sales / Marketing

Meet Andrea who originates from Newcastle, England and has been working in the New Zealand Tourism Industry for over 20+ years. With a background in Adventure Tourism, she’s more reliable than the world clock and still has time for her own passions – mountain biking, swimming, the performing arts including belting out a solid tune! Andrea joined the Release NZ team 7yrs ago and can turn her hand to anything. She primarily works in sales and operations with a bit of marketing thrown in and is our number one problem solver.

Kirsty

Sales / Accounts

Meet Kirsty who left the sunny shores of Southampton, England in 2011 to go travelling and fell in love with New Zealand, especially Wanaka. Once settled, she has never looked back and now calls Wanaka home! Kirsty joined Release NZ in 2019 as part of the sales and operations team, but with a background in journalism she is often recruited to write blogs, newsletters and property descriptions. She loves camping, going to the gym, walking her dog Tuki and capturing as many beautiful sunrises & sunsets as possible, quite an easy task in Wanaka!

Proud of our home and passionate about sharing it

Friends who have travelled the world in pursuit of a life less ordinary, created Release NZ, after searching the globe they discovered the ultimate outdoor playground. The Release NZ team is dedicated to providing once in a lifetime Wanaka & Queenstown experiences. We offer a broad menu of truly unique adventures and world-class service. Release NZ is recognised as the leading luxury destination management company (DMC) in Wanaka, New Zealand. Let Release take the guess work out of your visit to the Southern Lakes Region of New Zealand.

What our customers say

“We had a wonderful time staying at Aurum in Wanaka. The property was beautiful and the view is unmatched. We enjoyed the spacious rooms and the outdoor space. The front garden is gorgeous. Lori at Release Wanaka was fabulous to work with and she had the house ready with some really thoughtful touches when we arrived. We would love to return!”

DEE ANN, USA

“We absolutely loved our stay at Release Wanaka – Aurum, we felt welcome and very well looked after by you. We found your communication clear and always very friendly and we received any help we asked for. There is really nothing we can think of in terms of improvement potential. Thank you very much, we hope to see you again here in Wanaka in the future.”

KARL & ANGELA, GERMANY

“An absolutely fabulous house! We really enjoyed staying at your beautiful home – everything was a delight – from the hot tub to the cosy fire in the living room. We all felt perfectly at home and also wrapped in luxury. Thank you!”

ALISON, USA

“Great stay at wonderful property which has been fitted out to tip top standard. We thoroughly enjoyed staying here and take pleasure in recommending it to discerning travellers… Release Wanaka agency were most obliging as we chopped and changed our requirements – nothing was too much trouble and they made our stay hassle free. Great suggestions of guides and chef… 172 is a fabulous place to stay. We give it seven stars.”

ANDREW, UK

“We had a great stay at our Release house in Wanaka. A modern place, a few minutes drive to Wanaka township. We were there over New Years, and Wanaka gets pretty busy for a week or two, but it was far enough away to escape traffic etc. The ‘Monkey Farm’ cafe/bar is a short walk, so I’d start my day over a coffee and chat to friendly locals. Great beds, great bathrooms, big modern kitchen, fireplace etc. Brilliant. Thanks to the Release team for great service, warm welcome and an easy check in.”

GRAHAM, NZ

“We had the most incredible time in Wanaka, on our day and at our Release rental. It was beyond what we imagined and we made the most of it by eating breakfast and dinner in front of those amazing windows all three days! I was absolutely gutted to leave on Saturday morning… It was great to meet you and thank you so much for being so responsive and amazing during the planning process. You made it a no-brainer to book with you guys and we are stoked that we did.”

GABBY, AUSTRALIA

About Us

At Release NZ, we are proud to call Wānaka and New Zealand – home.

Proud of our home and passionate about sharing it

What our customers say