"Hawke's Bay was a definite in the New Zealand wish list. It was just fitting in our visit between the games which we managed thanks to a lovely couple offering to put us up.
"None of the group have been to New Zealand before so we made our wish list by reading and word of mouth from friends."
The nature of the tour is that the group get to see a lot of New Zealand but do not get to spend long at each location, he said.
"We have been lucky enough to be adopted by kind-hearted Kiwis all over New Zealand which is really going to add to our experience of the tour.
"This shows the strength of the rugby family, especially the generosity of the All Blacks fans."
The group, made up of one from Scotland and four from England, met at university nine years ago and have been planning on following the 2017 Lions tour since at least 2013.
"The trip has been a long time coming, it requires us all to take career breaks and it's not going to be cheap but it'll be worth it," Mr Quayle said.
"The Lions to me represent what I love about rugby. The ability for rivals to come together and make friendships.
"When you are on the pitch you play hard, in a very physical confrontational sport, however, afterwards you sit down with the other team, break bread, have a pint and a laugh."
Dublin teacher Luke McGahren is spending five-and-a-half weeks in New Zealand following the Lions and is looking forward to staying in Napier for a few nights.
"My accommodation in Napier has been sorted and my host couldn't be any more welcoming.
"I'm thinking these local nights will be just as exciting as the mad nights out in Auckland and Welly."
Mr McGahren has never been to New Zealand and has been working two jobs six days a week for nearly a year to fund the trip.
The teacher has been using an "Adopt a Lions Fan" Facebook page to find places to stay.
"I've been looking into this Adopt a Lions as a handy way to explore the slightly smaller towns while saving some money as well as getting some fantastic hospitality."
The Irishman has been an avid Leinster and Ireland rugby fan since he was a child.
"The Lions is one of the pinnacle sporting events in rugby and to potentially relive history from the team of '71 to '17 today would be incredible."
Hawke's Bay Tourism has been working with businesses to accommodate for an influx of UK and Irish tourists expected to boost the economy during the tour.