Who We Are
Uniquely New Zealand is owned and
operated by Jillian Barrow, a ‘Kiwi’ living in the U.S, who
for 20 years has remained passionate about sending North American travelers
to her home country, New Zealand. Jillian will share her country with
you the way she knows and loves it, working the ‘old fashioned’ way - complete hands-on customer service from the moment you meet to far beyond the end of your travels.
Passion, Imagination, Experience
Jillian describes Uniquely New Zealand's style in three words - Passion, Imagination, Experience - drawing on each of these elements to create your trip. She will listen, ask questions, find out what your interests
are, how you like to travel, and what you want out of your trip - making it uniquely about you.
Our Website
This website is about Uniquely New Zealand, who we are and what we can do to ensure your trip is exactly what you are looking for. While we provide general information on New Zealand, it is not a site where you choose package A, B or C, or itinerary 1, 2 or 3. Jillian personally provides you with detailed options and lots of information, working closely with you to create the experience you want.
Traveling with Us
Uniquel New Zealand has a style of travel for every traveler. Whether you are the intrepid
explorer, have a passion for the outdoors and nature, a yearning for
adventure, or seek time to rejuvenate, we will create a journey just
for you.
Whether you prefer the independence of a personally customized itinerary or the companionship of traveling in a group with travelers from around the world, Uniquely New Zealand has the experience, passion and imagination to make your trip everything you want.
Our LogoWhether you prefer the independence of a personally customized itinerary or the companionship of traveling in a group with travelers from around the world, Uniquely New Zealand has the experience, passion and imagination to make your trip everything you want.
The Uniquely New Zealand logo was designed to incorporate 3 important elements of New Zealand, our Maori heritage, our national bird and our people.
The main body of our 'U' represents the Maori fish-hook, Hei Matau, which is said to bring good luck and ensure a safe journey over water - a journey everyone must make to get to New Zealand. The top part of the ‘U’ represents the Kiwi Bird and Kiwi people. The Kiwi Bird, our national bird, is flightless, nocturnal and native to New Zealand - and quite an iconic symbol of New Zealand. Kiwis are what New Zealanders have been called since the days of the First World War. Fellow Australians gave this nickname, which has stuck.
Call a fruit a fruit and not a ‘kiwi’! American people tend to call Kiwifruit simply ‘kiwi’. We Kiwis prefer to call it a 'Kiwifruit', distinguishing us from it! We once called it a Chinese Gooseberry, until it was exported as a New Zealand fruit!
The main body of our 'U' represents the Maori fish-hook, Hei Matau, which is said to bring good luck and ensure a safe journey over water - a journey everyone must make to get to New Zealand. The top part of the ‘U’ represents the Kiwi Bird and Kiwi people. The Kiwi Bird, our national bird, is flightless, nocturnal and native to New Zealand - and quite an iconic symbol of New Zealand. Kiwis are what New Zealanders have been called since the days of the First World War. Fellow Australians gave this nickname, which has stuck.
Call a fruit a fruit and not a ‘kiwi’! American people tend to call Kiwifruit simply ‘kiwi’. We Kiwis prefer to call it a 'Kiwifruit', distinguishing us from it! We once called it a Chinese Gooseberry, until it was exported as a New Zealand fruit!
Our Kiwi Cause
Two hundred years ago millions of Kiwis (the bird, not the people!) lived in New Zealand. By 1998 the population had plummeted to less than 100,000 and by 2007 that figure had decreased further. The decline started with the arrival of people to New Zealand, the subsequent introduction of predators, and the loss of its habitat to farmland. Today Kiwi is classed as 'threatened' by the Department of Conservation, with some species placed on a Nationally Critical status.
As part of New Zealand's 'Save The Kiwi' program and in recognition of the work being done to protect and increase overall numbers of Kiwi, Uniquely New Zealand donates NZD$100 to the Kiwi Recovery Plan for every booking we make for New Zealand. Jillian has been close to this cause for a long time, as her Mum has been a member of New Zealand's Ornithological Society since the 1980s.
As part of New Zealand's 'Save The Kiwi' program and in recognition of the work being done to protect and increase overall numbers of Kiwi, Uniquely New Zealand donates NZD$100 to the Kiwi Recovery Plan for every booking we make for New Zealand. Jillian has been close to this cause for a long time, as her Mum has been a member of New Zealand's Ornithological Society since the 1980s.
Other South Pacific Destinations
If you want to add another South Pacific destination to your New Zealand trip, or return to a different South Pacific destination at another time, Uniquely New Zealand also has a great deal of experience in selling Australia, Fiji and the Cook Islands. We will help you with a unique and authentic trip to any of these destinations and you will receive the same level of expertise and hands-on customer service, as you would when booking New Zealand.
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Images: Jillian at home in New Zealand (L to R) - In the Auckland Botanical Gardens; at Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula with husband Brian; out-fishing her brothers with a 10 pound trout on Lake Tarawera, Rotorua and at Ocean Beach, Hawke's Bay.
1985 to 1993 – Discovering America; selling New Zealand and
other South Pacific Destinations.
I arrived in the US in 1985 to visit friends in Seattle, and immediately fell in love with this area and the American lifestyle. I traveled extensively in the U.S, gaining a great appreciation for America and establishing many life long friends. If I had a dime for every person I have met who, on discovering where I was from, exclaimed, “I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand”, I would be living next door to Bill Gates! Hearing these words again and again made me realize that I needed to get people there, and so began my travel career - specializing exclusively since 1985 in travel to New Zealand. I've also worked closely with and have loved selling Australia and the South Pacific countries of Fiji, Tonga and The Cook Islands.
1993 to 1998 – Home to New Zealand; Marketing with Tourism Auckland
In the early 90’s I returned to New Zealand with my Canadian born, U.S schooled husband, Brian McFadden. While in New Zealand, I was employed by Tourism Auckland, first in their Visitor Information Network where I gained a wealth of information on New Zealand and a vast array of Travel Operators, and then in their marketing department where I gained a wealth of experience on selling New Zealand.
1998 – 2002 – Promoting New Zealand and the America’s Cup Yacht Race.
In 1998, New Zealand won the America’s Cup yacht race in San Diego and brought the cup back to New Zealand where it would be contested in 1999/2000. This was a perfect opportunity to move back to the U.S and Seattle to promote the America’s Cup as a fantastic reason to travel to New Zealand. I did this in partnership with two friends, for as long as New Zealand retained the cup.
2002 – 2008 – Sales & Marketing - New Zealand, Australia and South Pacific countries
for U.S.A Wholesale company.
for U.S.A Wholesale company.
I spent these years working for a great U.S based wholesale company specializing in travel Down Under and South Pacific destinations. Starting with the company while it was still small and young, meant we were all very hands on, giving me even more experience in putting travel itineraries together and working in all aspects of a travel company.
2008 and beyond – Uniquely New Zealand
