The expeditions, which take place on
the small, luxury cruise ship, Oceanic Discoverer, depart from Auckland
to the Bay of Islands or vice versa, visiting Tiritiri Matangi Island,
one of only two scientific reserves in New Zealand, Great Barrier Island,
the historic Kawau Island, Port Fitzroy, Mokohinau, Whangamumu, Whangaroa
Harbour and the Bay of Islands, before disembarking in Paihia.
Passengers will have the chance to
observe and photograph rare native birds and wildlife, enjoy guided
walks and lectures with experts and explore New Zealand's secret alcoves
on the Oceanic Discoverer's purpose-built excursion vessel, 'Xplorer'.
Personalised tours – guided half
day, full day, overnight walks and hikes, fly and troll fishing and
sightseeing tours. Options for guided day walks include Key Summit,
Kepler Track and Hollyford Track. Operating since September 2006.
A small luxury nature cruise has been
launched in Milford Sound to cater for visitors looking for a more interactive
and natural experience. Milford Sound Encounter Cruises use a small
boat that can get up close to the waterfalls so passengers can catch
the pure glacier water in cups. Guides on board provide detailed information
about the geology, fauna and flora of Fiordland and the Milford Sound.
Operating since October 2006.
Contact:
+64 3 249 7935
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre -
Marlborough
Based at the historically important
Omaka Aerodrome, it will be the only national centre with operating
aeroplanes. The centre aims to conserve New Zealand’s aviation heritage
and provide an educational resource for New Zealanders and visitors,
and will also house a collection of memorabilia and static and flying
historic aircraft of international significance. Opening 9 December
2006.
Going Kayaking is offering guided kayaking
tours from Paihia. Half day, full day and customised guided tours will
be on offer to discover islands, mangrove forests, sandy beaches, marine
wildlife and local and historical sites. Operations began September
2006.
Kauri Cliffs Lodge is nearing completion
of its $1.7 million, 3,200 square foot, Spa set to open 1 December 2006.
Four treatment rooms will each open on to their own private courtyard
with fireplace, overlooking a garden and stream and set within native
trees and ferns. Treatments will be able to be taken indoors or “al
fresco”.
Internationally qualified therapists
will be available to pamper guests. Individual treatments or special
quarter, half or full day packages consisting of massages, body treatments,
facials, manicures, pedicures, reflexology, Vichy water treatments and
personalised yoga sessions will be offered. The Spa complex will contain
a full gym and a 100 foot heated lap pool, a cedar sauna, indoor/outdoor
spa pool and a wet room for Vichy and body treatments.
The Spa at Accolades has completed
the five star boutique B&B that opened in May this year. Specialising
in pampering treatments, with beauty and therapeutic massage on request,
the Spa at Accolades offers unique tropical spa rituals through its
exclusive use of Pure Fiji product. Treatments include an Island Wrap,
Tropical Paradise Ritual, Tropical Paradise Body Glow, Dilo Wrap (heals
damaged skin), Accolades Foot Pamper, Accolades Hand Pamper or the Island
Escape.
After producing wine for six years,
Woollaston Estates have opened a winery in Nelson. Built into the hillside
over four different levels and roofed with a garden of tussock and shrubs,
the winery is designed with quality pinot noir in mind. The wine moves
by gravity, in stages from the top level, where the grapes are hand
sorted and crushed, to the cellars where the wine is stored in barrels
and bottles.
New Zealand’s first landscape photography
gallery of its kind opened in Arrowtown in October by photographer and
conservationist Craig Potton. New Zealand’s leading photographer of
wilderness landscapes, Potton has published more than 20 books of his
own work over a 25 year photographic career. Craig Potton worked as
a location/stills photographer on The Lord of the Rings, Peter Pan,
and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe motion pictures. Opened October
2006.
Contact:
Phone +64 3 442 0093
Aroha New Zealand Tours
– Film Location Tour – Nationwide
Aroha New Zealand Tours offer a 14
day tour of New Zealand’s most famous film locations starting in Auckland
and finishing in Christchurch. Stops include Piha, Matamata, Gisborne,
Te Urewera, Taranaki, Wellington, Kaikoura, Lake Tekapo and Queenstown.
Aroha New Zealand Tours are open to making the itinerary shorter for
media. Operating since August 2006.
A guided mountain biking tour where
riders can admire views of valleys and the Coromandel Ranges. Pick ups
are available from accommodation in Whitianga and are available daily.
Operations began September 2006.
Half and full day bush or beach excursions
based out of Opoutere. Bush excursions include seeing rainforests, kauri
trees, historical goldmines and glowworms in the daylight. Beach excursions
include visiting unspoilt beach locations, an ancient Maori Pa and the
Wharekewa Wildlife Refuge, home to abundant birdlife and the endangered
New Zealand dotterel.
Based in the Upper Buller Gorge, Goldrush
Jet offers a 40 minute jet boat ride through the granite rocks of the
gorge past early gold mining tunnels and through earthquake rapids.
Also on offer is a walk across New Zealand’s longest swing bridge
and the opportunity to try gold panning.
On 18 November, the Auckland City Farmers’
Market opened in the Britomart precinct in central Auckland. This is
the only authentic farmers’ market for Auckland central that offers
fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, fish, meat, olive oil, Artisan bread
and has live music playing. The markets are open every Saturday between
8.30am – 12.30pm.
Resource consent has been approved
for a marine centre to be built at Te Raekaihau Point in Wellington.
The facility will include aquatic displays of local marine life, educational
facilities and 150-seat café and bar. Wellington Marine Conservation
Trust is the group behind the centre, which will cost $20.4 million.
From January 2007, passengers will
be able to explore Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, on a six day luxury island
cruise. Activities include fishing trips, a picnic ashore, bush walks
and expeditions from the ship by helicopter or boat. Or, customers may
choose to relax with a good book in the library or laze on a steamer
deck chair in the sun. The ten cabins with video, audio, TV and are
air-conditioned, most with doors opening to the outer deck.
A transformed former industrial warehouse
has become a dining space, creating a personalised and intimate setting.
The 2006 Young Chef of the Year, Glen Taylor, has created a menu that
changes daily and utilises the best New Zealand produce. Opened October
2006.
Over the Top now has an environmentally
friendly luxury helicopter.
The EC130B4 helicopter is New Zealand’s
first commercial luxury helicopter. Over the Top has invested NZ $3.5
million into the helicopter and is the first tourism operator in New
Zealand to purchase this high performance craft. The EC130B4 helicopter
is the quietest available on the market and currently there is a two
year waiting list for this machine. The new Eurocopter offers the very
latest safety and navigation equipment and is environmentally friendly
in part due to a fully enclosed tail rotor system resulting in a substantially
quieter than usual operation.
The Air New Zealand Wine Award winners
were announced on 11 November 2006. Managed by New Zealand Winegrowers,
with naming-rights sponsor Air New Zealand, the awards attracted 1,737
entries this year. To see a list of winners please visit the website
below.
Lodge at 199 and Accolades Boutique
Hotel – Qualmark
Both Lodge at 199 and Accolades Boutique
Hotel have achieved the highest Qualmark category possible by being
ranked in the Exclusive Category. Lodge at 199 was also chosen as one
of the 10 Best Travel Finds of 2006 by travel publication, Travel +
Leisure, USA.
Langham Hotel wins New Zealand Restaurant
of the Year
The Langham Hotel’s signature restaurant
Partingtons was named New Zealand Restaurant of the Year at the New
Zealand Culinary Fare. The Fare is New Zealand’s longest running culinary
competition attracting over 1,000 competitors making it the world’s
largest competition of its kind.
Grove Mill has become the world’s
first CarboNZero® certified winery. This certification verifies that
the making and shipping of both the Sanctuary and Grove Mill range of
wines, from 2006 is 100% carbon neutral. This commitment to minimal
environmental impact is reflected throughout their operation, including
the regeneration of a wetland habitat beside Grove Mill, which is attracting
wildlife and visitors alike. The wetland, cellar door, vine library,
and art gallery can be visited seven days.
Four well-known Marlborough accommodation
and activity operators, Vintners Retreat, Marlborough Travel, Bay of
Many Coves Resort, and Wilderness Guides have launched a new bookings-capable
website this month – www.purelymarlborough.co.nz. The website is the
marketing collective's latest development since it was formed 12 months
ago.
There is a new Northland food website www.forager.co.nz that is being put together by Lyn Barnes -
the former editor of Cuisine. Lyn started up the Kerikeri Farmers’
Market, and is a great advocate for food and wine in Northland region.
Dart River Safaris
Dart River Safaris acquired Glenorchy
Jetboat Company on 1 November.
Based at the Pegasus Bay Winery every
Saturday morning, visitors can buy local produce such as asparagus,
fish, olives, strawberries with a renowned winery as a backdrop. Operating
since October 2006.
ACCOMMODATION UPDATE
Seafields
– Auckland
Luxury bed and breakfast Seafields,
situated near Auckland’s southernmost rural beaches and 20 minutes
from Auckland Airport opened in October. Surrounded by native plants
and landscaped gardens, Seafields enjoys panoramic sea views overlooking
the boats moored in the channel and beyond to the islands of the Haruaki
Gulf. Four individually themed suites are available as well as an infinity
pool and sauna on site.
Komako is a self-contained, self-catering
cottage located in Mapua, Nelson. The cottage is a 30 minute drive from
Nelson city and is situated on a mature garden overlooking the Waimea
Estuary. For media interested in local food, Mapua Wharf is a five minute
walk away and has smoked fish, gourmet supplies from the local deli
and local wines, olive oil, and fruits from the orchards of the area
available to buy. Opened August 2006.
Brook Lodge is a modern lodge with
three self contained suites all with ensuites and courtyards. The Pacific,
African and Asian suites are decorated to match their names. Opened
October 2006.
Kennedy Bay is a small bay located
25 minutes from Coromandel Township. Beach Retreat consists of three,
two-bedroom beach houses looking straight out to the beach making it
suitable for media looking for a bach angle. All beach houses have two
double bedrooms, one with a queen size bed and the other with two single
beds. Opened September 2006.
Located in Kumeu, 20 minutes west of
Auckland City, this boutique accommodation is set in an olive grove
with views of the Kumeu valley. The two suites feature super-king beds,
ensuite bathrooms, fireplace and French doors leading out to private
decks. Guests can enjoy a relaxing spa in the large courtyard, play
petanque, or use the gym and sauna. Opened September 2006.
Opening late 2007, Kourawhero Country
Lodge will be located in the Matakana region and will contain 18 suites.
The suites will be built in pairs and set in clusters around the estate,
providing bush or sea views. The Spa Retreat will overlook the estate
and have views towards the Dome Valley. The facility will include two
double treatment rooms where guests will be offered a wide range of
treatments, a well equipped gymnasium, a heated swimming pool with a
terraced sun deck area and a separate heated spa pool. Opening late
2007.
A luxurious lodge has opened overlooking
the Whangaroa Harbour. The historic kauri villa has been restored and
contains three bedrooms with queen size beds that open up to the veranda.
The lodge features a separate lounge, kitchen and large sunny dining
room. Set aside from the main homestead is a self contained cottage.
Opened November 2006.
88 Lodge Bed & Breakfast Homestay
accommodation is set in landscaped sub-tropical gardens with citrus
trees and native flora and fauna. The lodge contains two bedrooms with
king size beds and direct access to the gardens and swimming pool. Opened
November 2006.
Set amidst two hectares of subtropical
gardens six, self contained one-bedroom cottages will open in December.
The cottages sleep two to four people, and have a super king bed and
a double slat sofa, large personal decks and original artworks. Wharepuke
offers an interactive green experience, through onsite eco activities:
garden tours by Robin Booth, a subtropical plant expert, seasonal organic
fruit and herbs for guests to pick. There is also a resident professional
artist Mark Graver, who offers non-toxic printmaking courses and sculptures
by Chris Booth (international environmental sculptor) are on display
on the property.
Avalon Resort, opening December 2006,
will contain four self contained one-bedroom cottages of five star quality,
and will be set in a landscaped seven acre riverside property, with
orchards, native plants, springs and streams that form into ponds and
a river where guests can kayak and swim. Avalon Resort is located a
short stroll to Kerikeri town centre, shops and restaurants. The cottages
feature private gardens with sun loungers, king size beds and a large
lounge opening up to private decks with views over native bush, the
ponds and Kerikeri golf course. Opening December 2006.
The Hilton Auckland has completed the
refurbishments of its bow suites overlooking the Waitemata Harbour.
Now available is a one or two-bedroom 'Presidential Suite', plus a one-bedroom
'Relaxation Suite' located on the top level of the hotel. The suites
have a sense of cabin luxury of an international cruise liner with water
outlooks and viewing decks.
The IMP team recently did a site visit
of the new suites and were very impressed. We will all be playing lotto
next week in the hope of a win so we can stay in the suites. Refurbishments
completed November 2006.
Owned by a Kiwi-Canadian couple Mark
and Jenny Roumieu, Karamea Lodge is located on the West Coast and has
three ensuite rooms available. For those with media interested in package
deals, Karamea Lodge has a $555 per person deal. This includes two nights
accommodation, continental breakfast, packaged picnic lunch and a helicopter
trip to the Heaphy Hut. Guests then walk back three - five hours on
the Heaphy Track along wild west beaches through the Nikau forests back
to Karamea. Package available to April 30, 2008.
Mount Aspiring Hotel has opened 18
new rooms taking the property to 56 rooms. As well as regular hotel
studio rooms, the addition also includes a premium one bedroom suite,
complete with kitchenette and lounge, LCD TVs in both the lounge and
bedroom, two work stations, north facing balcony, two queen beds, and
a large bathroom. The new rooms are part of an ongoing expansion at
the hotel, with the potential to take the property to approximately
100 rooms.
The interior of Old St Mary’s Convent
has been completely refurbished, with fresh décor and new furniture
in every room. New owner Layonie Seque has stayed true to the boutique
spirit of the hotel, with clear attention to detail and individual room
design. A new website will be launched before Christmas.
Fontainebleau is a five star bed and
breakfast located just a short walk from Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
and Spa. All three suites offer mountain and forest views. Guests can
enjoy pre-dinner nibbles, breakfasts consisting on whitebait patties,
pancakes and eggs benedict and gym facilities to exercise away any indulgences.
Operating since June 2006.
The Amazing Maze ‘n’ Maize is a
pictorial pattern cut into a seven hectare paddock of maize (feed corn).
With approximately 8km of paths it takes on average 45 minutes to navigate.Each
year there is a new maze design, Dinosaurs being the theme for 2006.
The picnic area adjacent to the maze has a collection of old fashioned
farmyard games such as walking planks, stilts, tug-o-war rope, cobs
& rakes (life size snakes & ladders) and sacks for sack races.
New in 2006 was a 3D vortex tunnel experience. The Maze’s are located
in South Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Marton.
The 16th annual Nelson Jazz Festival
launches with Jazz in the Park at Fairfield Park in Nelson on 2nd January.
This promises to be a day of entertainment you will not want to miss.
Fairfield Park, walking distance from central Nelson, comes alive with
both locals and visitors from all over the world basking in the summer
sun, enjoying an array of artists and bands from New Zealand and the
World.
Brightstone Blues, Brews and BBQs is
an event with a difference with hundreds of people enjoying an afternoon/evening
of live music, boutique beer and food. For many people this event contains
the essence of what summer is about and is held on the second Thursday
in January every year.
Leading drivers from the UK, USA and
Australia have been invited to compete at Paradise Valley Raceway in
Super Stocks supplied by New Zealand Drivers. The winner of this event
earns the right to compete in the World Final in England 2006. This
is the feature event of the Paradise Valley Calendar and is one of the
"must do" events for all New Zealand’s leading Super Stock
(formerly Stockcar) drivers.
A unique cultural event that combines
Maori and Western music. 2007 will be the event’s 10th anniversary.
It will be held at Te Papaiouru Marae, as well as on Mokoia Island.
The event showcases the best of New Zealand’s upcoming operatic talent.
The Wellington event will include tastings
of pinot noir from New Zealand and around the world, conference sessions
by leading wine commentators and pinot noir producers and a culinary
programme by renowned New Zealand chef Ruth Pretty.
News 
Sunday, 20 July 2008
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