PURE NEWS

New Zealand on show during Festival of Spring

Visitors will be able to experience New Zealand's finest food and wine, art and culture, and gardens at a number of events happening throughout the Festival of Spring.

Mt Hutt - Canterbury

Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski area kicked-off its 2006 winter season on June 10. Skiers and boarders at Mt Hutt can look forward to an average snow base of 20 - 30 centimetres across the main trails following a succession of snowfalls and ideal snowmaking conditions.

Web: www.nzski.com

Mt Potts - Canterbury

Mt Potts is getting revved up for a big season with lots of people taking the opportunity to combine cat and heli days with staying at the lodge for their own customised trip.

Web: www.mtpotts.co.nz

Coronet Peak - Queenstown

Coronet Peak launched its season on June 15 with an abundance of snowfall. An average of 30cm of fresh snow already covers the mountain for skiers and boarders to enjoy the popular New Zealand mountain.

Web: www.nzski.com

The Remarkables - Queenstown

Snowboarders and skiers will revel in superb snow conditions at The Remarkables Ski Area which officially opened to the public on June 24.The Remarkables is a fantastic ski area for learners and families as well as freestylers and backcountry enthusiasts. It offers fun for all age groups and all levels of skiers and snowboarders in a stunning alpine environment. Children aged 10 and under receive free day passes at The Remarkables.

Web: www.nzski.com

Treble Cone - Wanaka

Treble Cone announced record numbers with over a 1000 ski and board ticket holders enjoying champagne ski conditions on Tuesday, June 27^th, to kick off winter 2006. What is likely to become the hottest ski pass on the South Island, season ticket holders and day pass lift riders were enjoying making fresh tracks on day one of what promises to be a bumper year for the ski area. A snow base of at least 75cm of snow at the top of both the Main Basin and Saddle Basin was recorded recently.

Web: www.trebelcone.com

Big Daddy Skydiving Adventures - Cromwell, Central Otago

Big Daddy Skydiving Adventures is based at the Cromwell Equestrian Centre, and offers the opportunity to experience Central Otago scenery from up to 1500 feet above the earth. The company is one of only two in New Zealand that offer a heli-jump option.  

Located 45 minutes from Queenstown, Big Daddy Skidiving Adventures is run by Richard Greene and Byron Stephenson who have 24 years of sky diving experience between them. 

Phone 0800 BIG DADDY

(No website available yet)

New Zealand Caterpillar Experience - Rotorua

Officially opened in May 2006, this new attraction takes visitors on a historical journey demonstrating how man has reshaped the New Zealand landscape and the role that the Caterpillar machinery has played in that.

Web: www.caterpillarexperience.co.nz

Whakarewarewa - the Thermal Village - Rotorua

A new interactive package has been developed at Whakarewarewa that allows visitors to get up close and personal with the Maori culture. Small groups will have the opportunity to prepare and cook their own hangi within the geothermal area of the Whakarewarewa village. This hands on package includes a detailed history of the local Maori people as well as a guided tour and cultural performance.

Web: www.whakarewarewa.com

Sidecar Sights  - Christchurch

Sidecar Sights offers personalised motorcycle and side car tours in Christchurch and the surrounding countryside. Tours are for one hour and give participants a choice of pick-up and drop off location. Ideal for motorcycle enthusiasts, this tour allows communication between the passengers and the rider through microphones in the helmets.

Web: www.sidecarsights.co.nz

Astronomy Adventures - Dargaville

Located in Dargaville, this product allows visitors to gaze up at the heavens from the Skydome Observatory at Baylys Beach, using the largest telescope in the North Island.

Web: http://homepages.igrin.co.nz/astronomy

Aqua Vida - Tauranga

Located in Welcome Bay, Tauranga, Aqua Vida offers pampering services such as a revitalizing skin polish, honey aloe skin tonic wrap and an Indian head massage all set amongst the New Zealand natural foliage that surrounds the property. Available seven days a week.

Web: www.aquavida.co.nz

Kiwi Kopters - Tauranga

Kiwi Kopters offers customers the opportunity to live out their M*A*S*H (television series) fantasies by offering scenic trips on their authentic Korean War era helicopters. Tours are operated around the Bay of Plenty, with the unique bubble front providing an excellent platform for panoramic views. Each helicopters is painted with the M*A*S*H titles on the sides as well as the 4077^th on the tail to provide that extra bit of M*A*S*H authenticity.

Email: mash@kiwikopters.co.nz

Abel Tasman - Maori Uncut

This new venture aims to showcase the land and the sea from the unique perspective of the Maori people. Each tour incorporates traditional Maori values, mixed with the scenery of the Abel Tasman National Park. Options include a full day trip featuring both kayaking and a guide walk or the half day trip which is a guided walk through the serenity of the Abel Tasman Park. Ancient Maori knowledge about the area is passed on to each visitor, giving them a personal and insightful view of contemporary Maori and their relation to the surrounding area.

Web: www.maoriuncut.co.nz

Aerius Helicopters - Te Puke

Based in Te Puke, this operator specialises in scenic flights around the Bay of Plenty region. The tours include the Magic Maketu Experience where passengers journey over orchids and Maketu. There is also a Motiti Island experience available.

Web: www.aerius.co.nz

Cycle Touring Company - Whangarei

This Whangarei-based cycle tour company introduces "The Flying Possum Night Ride". Cyclists ride through scented native forests, view Kauri trees, glow worms and opossums. Cyclists are met at their accommodation and driven to the location of the ride and receive a "Brauhaus Frings" voucher and a debriefing at the German micro-brewery.

Web: www.cycletours.co.nz

Hawke's Bay Opera House

The Hawke's Bay Opera House was opened in March of 2006 after extensive renovations. Formerly known as the Hastings Municipal Theatre, this category one historic building is unique due to its Spanish - Mission style architecture and its art nouveau interior. This theatre is regarded as one of the best lyric theatres in Australasia.

Web: http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/operahouse/index.htm

Able Tasman Waka Tours

Able Tasman Waka Tours now offers some exciting new products for visitors to the park. Products include:

• Maori Journey - Guided walk. Discover Able Tasman Park as passed down to through the eyes of Maori tipuna (ancestors).
• Koru in the Park - A twilight kayak tour beginning after 3pm though the Abel Tasman National Park.
• Tiki Tours - Two-day, overnight tour including guided walks, twilight kayaking, overnight stay on the house boat and a lodge stay combination.
• Exclusive Maori - Three-day guided waka tours incorporating overnight stays in the house boat, lodge stays, guided walks and twilight kayaking.