Tourism New Zealand News header
Tourism New Zealand
Media News
December 2008
In This Issue
What’s New
What’s Happening
Did You Know?
Kiwis You Need to Know
Upcoming Events
What’s New
Glacier-Fed Hot Pools
Fed by glacial ice from the nearby famed Franz Joseph glacier, the new Glacier Hot Pools live up to their name. What never runs hot and cold here: its status as a haven of rest and relaxation. The multi-million dollar pools take maximum advantage of their surroundings: a mature rainforest, native bush and pure local glacier water create a romantic, otherworldly setting complemented by state of the art facilities. Three warm main pools and three secluded private pools tempt guests to soothe their aching muscles after a day of ice climbing or hiking – and spa treatments are also available.
Photo: Courtesy of Glacier Hot Pools
Follow the Wine Trail
Northland, renowned for great chardonnay, pinot gris, shiraz and pinotage, now raises a glass to a new wine trail that meanders and undulates in and out of the region’s acclaimed vineyards. Travelers can start up north at the Karikari Estate with a glass of award-winning wine in New Zealand’s northernmost vineyard before turning south to Lochiel Estate for, naturally, a winery tour.
Photo: Credit to Ian Trafford
Discovery Never Tasted So Good
Claremont Country Estate Luxury Lodge, cradled in rolling countryside against a backdrop of the spectacular Southern Alps, is serving up five exclusive guest experiences this summer – each themed to either “Discovery” or “Gourmet.” Three packages lead to insightful discoveries of New Zealand’s natural and culinary delights. The “Chef-to-You” program does just that: dishing out a hands-on cooking session with Claremont’s resident chef. And the “Meet the Locals” approach to discovery ushers guests into the fresh thick of things at the area’s abundantly stocked farmers markets.
Huka Lodge’s “Alan Pye” Cottage
Huka Lodge, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s top retreats, this month unveils its Alan Pye Cottage – privately sited behind a gated entrance and perched on an elevated promontory above the Waikato River. Named for the lodge’s founder and emanating its trademark luxury – crafted to the same exacting standards using cedar, heart timbers, stone and brick – this two-bedroom enclave has all the style, space and opulent fittings one craves: open living room with fireplace, study, laundry, and kitchen thoughtfully equipped for either self-catering or the creations of your own personal chef. While cottage guests enjoy use of all Huka Lodge facilities, they can also choose to unwind in their private heated infinity-style swimming pool or revel in a separate spa pool integrated into a beautiful landscape featuring a courtyard garden and grand outdoor fireplace.
Oh Yeah, Ohtel
Ohtel, Wellington’s newest designer boutique hotel, is a sleek, sharp and inviting new eco-friendly property nestled into the upscale seaside neighbourhood of Oriental Bay. With only ten cozy bedrooms to call home during a stay in the capital city, the hotel is a crisp, stylish exemplar of international urban chic and trendy detail. Perfectly situated for impromptu explorations or all-day fun in the sun, Ohtel is a treat to the eye inside and out with fabulous views overlooking the Harbor and Waitangi Park. And it’s within easy walking distance to shopping and great nightlife.
Arc of the Story: NZ’s Latest Thrill
The same Kiwi team that launched the bungy jump onto the world stage has added a new (and this one’s adjustable) arc to the adventure story – unleashing another way to accelerate your pulse. For adrenaline junkies, the Nevis Arc is music to the ears, generating thrills along a graceful, giant arc that swings daring souls across a 390-foot gorge some 440 feet (when set to the max) above the ground. In this lofty playground for the world’s highest swing, you get to adjust its height!
What’s Happening
Have Yourself a Very Kiwi Christmas
A wintry Christmas blanketed in snow and eggnog is just around the corner in the Northern Hemisphere – but sunshine and a Shandy beer ring in the holiday season down under. Balmy skies and a mug of suds aren’t all that define a Kiwi-style Christmas. Here are some other ways Kiwis give the Yuletide celebration a holiday twist that visiting Americans will not soon forget.
Photo: Credit to Kieran Scott
In Like Wind, Out Like Water: Louis Vuitton Pacific Series
Befitting a nation of maritime traditions, New Zealand will kick off the New Year with a two-week sailing regatta January 31 – February 14. To be held in Auckland, aptly dubbed the “City of Sails” – thanks to the world’s highest boat ownership per capita – the one-off regatta will stir the nautical juices by filling the sails of some of the greatest sailing teams to take the helm at the peak of the southern hemisphere’s ideal sailing season. Ten teams from as many nations – including U.S team BMW Oracle and Emirates Team New Zealand – will hoist canvas in a rivalry to tack the waters of America’s Cup fame. The Series will regale sailing enthusiasts and visitors alike with the excitement of a world-class wind-powered event. Stylish Louis Vuitton has designed a special trophy for the winner. Photo: Credit to Scott Venning
Return of the Conchords
Brett McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, the Grammy-winning comic duo known as Flight of the Conchords, have pleased cable TV fans nationwide by announcing their return to HBO for a second season of their hit show. Quirky, original and Kiwi through and through, Brett and Jermaine, who first met as flat mates while studying at the Victoria University of Wellington, return to US screens on January 18, 2009, with more of their smart and wacky brand of hilarity and tune-making.
Homegrown Tunes
Wellington’s music scene can’t keep its light, or beat, under a bushel, growing exponentially as homegrown Kiwi tune-making flourishes. The indie- and reggae/dub-influenced genre comes alive in pulsing rhythms, striking chords and harmonies, and edgy lyrics at two local music festivals:
* Homegrown: The only Kiwi music festival staged on Wellington’s Waterfront, Homegrown showcases the largest collection of New Zealand bands ever assembled in one place. Strutting across five stages, the best bands and DJs rock the capital and an audience of music lovers.
* Sandwiches Summerset: Starting by day and ending by night, this outdoor festival packs seven hours of hot performances and warm hospitality onto the green grass of Basin Reserve.
Did You Know?
Ogling NZ on the Google Map
Google Maps’ popular Street View feature has just turned its cameras on New Zealand, allowing users the world over to explore the youngest country on earth – i.e., the last to be populated by humans – thanks to captivating, wonder-inducing 360-degree street-level imagery of the island nation’s cities and areas of interest (some at a fair remove from its’ main streets).
Nine-Year-Old Inventor Wins NZ Patent Prize
It’s no secret that Kiwis have a natural affinity for conservation – as if the impulse to preserve and protect is born with them. How’s this for starting young: a nine-year-old lad has been awarded a major patent prize for inventing his eco-friendly device to transform raw food scraps into fertilizer – without anyone ever having to leave the kitchen. Words he will never hear: take out the garbage.
Kiwis You Need to Know
Henry van Asch
Is life most intensively lived when the prospect of death is near? New Zealander Henry van Asch thought so – and he made a thriving commercial enterprise of tempting people to jump to their possible (but unlikely) demise. With fellow Kiwi A.J. Hackett, Van Asch transformed a bizarre Pacific Island ritual (and rite of passage of young boys into manhood) into a multi million-dollar tourism enterprise born in New Zealand (a rite of passage of tourists into adventure travelers).
Upcoming Events
Rhythm and Vines Festival, December 29 – January 1
Tall Ships Race, January 10
Auckland Seafood Festival, January 24 – 26
Auckland Anniversary Regatta, January 26
Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, January 31 – February 14
Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival, February 19 – 22
Online Resources
http://www.newzealand.com
The official site for New Zealand – destinations, activities, accommodation, itinerary planning and events
http://feeds.newzealand.com/travel/us/features
RSS feed on the latest news, videos, features and what’s going on
http://www.media.newzealand.com
Dedicated site for media to access story ideas and background information
http://www.images.newzealand.com
New Zealand image library – rights-free images for editorial use
http://www.tourismnewzealand.com
New Zealand tourism statistics and reports
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/getting-to-around-nz/getting-to-nz/travel-deals/united-states/travel-deals—usa.cfm
The latest in great travel deals to New Zealand
TALKINTRAVEL 