While living in Christchurch under another name, Nicola Tomlinson ran a travel company trading on Aotea’s identity — and left creditors across the country owed more than $100,000.
When Nicola Tomlinson arrived on Great Barrier Island in 2018, she made an impression. Locals described her as “funky” and “edgy,” with the kind of offbeat charisma that made people want to help her. She was welcomed into the community. People helped her find work. They rooted for her.
But what began as a quirky island adventure has turned sour. AoteaGBI.news has spoken with more than a dozen people who say they’ve lost money through various schemes linked to Tomlinson — from undelivered vacations to debts involving the local primary school.
“You trust someone, and it’s really disappointing when they let you down,” said one islander. “People trusted her. I supported her getting that job.”
Although she hasn’t been seen on the island for years, Tomlinson has continued to trade off its name through her company Aotea Experience, which this month tipped into liquidation owing some $105,000. Publicly, she styled herself as a “travel wizard.” Privately, she was working in Christchurch under a different name in a completely unrelated field.
Customers across New Zealand are reporting losing thousands. One Christchurch man, Isaac Wilson, paid $4,100 for a holiday package to Niue. After months of silence and no bookings, he received notice the company had collapsed.
“What makes me laugh is the only magic she performed was making our holiday and money disappear,” Wilson told The Post.
AoteaGBI.news has received several similar messages from concerned customers.
One wrote: “I’ve booked a trip to Niue with Aotea Experience, Nicola Tomlinson… The website is under construction, no one is answering the email address, I have no way to contact her regarding my trip and I’m beginning to think I’ve been had! I know Great Barrier is a small community and I’m hoping that someone can help me.”
Tomlinson has now issued a brief statement blaming “outside influence” and “circumstances beyond my control.” In separate correspondence to one creditor, she claimed that “all affected parties have been refunded.” But liquidators found the company’s bank account had already been shut down before liquidation began.
In their last report they’ve noted: “The bank account was closed prior to our appointment,” and added that “it is unlikely any distribution to creditors will be made.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirmed Aotea Experience was never accredited, meaning it had no access to official airline booking systems, although Aotea Experience’s website claimed it was using a third-party provider for such purchases.
Niue Tourism described peak-season discount deals on the company’s website, and marketed through the online deals site GrabOne, as “red flags” and said attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful.
GrabOne, for its part, said it began investigating after receiving customer complaints. A spokesperson confirmed that affected customers who booked through GrabOne had since been refunded under its guarantee policy, but some purchasers said Tomlinson had offered discounts to purchase directly on the Aotea Experience website.
Tomlinson’s name first hit national media shortly after her arrival on Aotea, when she and a partner bought a car rental fleet and held a demolition derby to destroy many of the vehicles — claiming they were unlicensable.
That stunt raised eyebrows. Her latest act has raised creditors, and those who once supported her — and those who never met her — are left sorting through the damage.
“She had charisma,” another local told us. “People really did try to help her.”
“Now, many feel burned — and the name of the island where she doesn’t even live is being dragged through the mud behind her.”
