Our Story
Farm and Leisure Tours Ltd (previously C R McPhail Ltd) commenced business in 1992.
The focus of the company is on agricultural, technical and business tours. We also offer a selection of leisure tours.
We arrange both inbound and outbound tours and handle any aspect of agriculture, special interest and general tours.
Every journey starts with a single step …
Here at CR McPhail we have all taken a BIG step. Our founders Ron and Monyeen, have retired and our very best wishes go to them. Ron will still remain behind the scenes for a period of time.
We have rebranded to Farm & Leisure Tours and the business remains family owned and operated, with the same values and customer care that you are accustomed to. Jane, along with Kate and an experienced support crew are excited to move the business forward.
Agricultural Tours Throughout the World remains our main focus, along with technical and business tours and with the exciting new addition of leisure tours. We continue working to make our tours more than you expect, and to offer memorable and exclusive experiences.
We welcome you to our new website. You will feel familiar with it while exploring our new content and exciting destinations.
Let the journey begin!
Company History
After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at Lincoln University Ron McPhail worked on farms in New Zealand and Australia before joining the Ministry of Agriculture. As a consultant he worked in Taranaki, Wairarapa, Northern Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu. Seeing an opportunity to arrange tours for farmers he left MAF in 1992 to establish the company.
In our video Founding Director Ron McPhail shares a bit of this history and how specialising in agricultural tours takes people off the beaten track for truly local experiences. His passion for exploring culture and agribusiness, as well as the key tourism icons, in a wide variety of destinations throughout the world is a key part of every tour.
Based in Palmerston North the company is in an ideal central location to service clients throughout New Zealand and to cover the country for visitors.
A long track record of successful tours means clients can be assured of a high standard of service that exceeds their expectations.
A growing aspect of the business is arranging tours for other companies or organisations who wish to take clients and staff on overseas agribusiness trips.
Many repeat clients demonstrate the quality of the service provided.