About John Anderson
In 1962, John Anderson founded Contiki Holidays with just 25 pounds in his pocket. Today, Contiki is one of the world’s leading tour operators (the largest catering specifically for the 18-35 year old market) and an International ‘Brand’ name. Now a household name in many countries around the world.

The creation of Contiki is an incredible success story which has rarely been told. From a simple idea to a worldwide travel company, John’s story is inspirational, humorous, entertaining and educational. His determination to succeed, his belief in himself and ability to create an international icon.

In 1994 as a member of the Auckland Rotary Club, John conceived the idea of a major fund raising opportunity – the Ellerslie Flower Show. This became the largest gardening and outdoor event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere showcasing the best of New Zealand’s horticulture, floral and landscape design. As the inaugural CEO of the event, John enlisted the help of the Chelsea Flower Show which resulted in the show attracting over 100,000 visitors in its first year.