It’s been a busy month at TRNZ headquarters with a heavy schedule of meetings, trainings and product updates – which we love!

A lot has also been going on with the TRNZ clients - product enhancements, certifications and launches, being just the start.  Please take a few moments to read our latest update and stay tuned over the coming few months as there is plenty more currently in the pipeline.

• Prime Minister visits for a cup of tea – Cave World
• TRNZ introduces new client – Shotover Canyon Swing, Queenstown
• Distinction Dunedin Hotel – Opening 01 October 2015
• FREE WiFi at South Island Distinction Hotels
• Hamilton Gardens stars in Tourism New Zealand media campaign
• New Zealand Riverjet launches Riverjet Scenic Blast
• Qualmark certifications for TRNZ products

NZ’s Prime Minister Drops in for a cuppa – Cave World

PRIME Minister John Key dropped into Waitomo for a cup of tea recently.  And . . . it wasn’t just any old brew. He took time out from his busy schedule to sip a refreshing cup of kawakawa tea in a ponga hut tea ceremony in the bush near Waitomo Village.

Mr Key was flown by helicopter to Waitomo Village to open Cave World’s kawakawa tea hut, a new venture launched by Kyle Barnes, his partner Trieste Henry and their extended family that operate Footwhistle glowworm cave tours in the Te Anaroa cave system. Mr Barnes says they developed the bush tea ceremony concept as a point of difference to appeal to tourists seeking a unique small group experience. Visitors stop off for a cup of tea after touring the caves. “The Prime Minister’s visit here is wonderful recognition for all the people who have worked so hard to make it happen,” he says. “We are grateful to our local Member of Parliament Barbara Kuriger for bringing Mr Key to Waitomo to share this special day with us.”

He said the country’s clear focus on the high end Asian tourism market had helped his company develop a product which would appeal to that market. “In the near future we will be packaging our kawakawa tea for sale as souvenirs. “And, because there is such a strong tea culture throughout China and Japan we are looking at inviting visitors to plant a kawakawa bush which we could then harvest twice a year and send them their own special tea leaves.”

He says the company is a very small family business, with 9500 tourists a year on the Cave World glowworm tour and 8000 doing the blackwater rafting experience. Also sitting down for tea with the PM were Waitomo mayor Brian Hanna, National’s Taranaki King Country electorate chairman Leveson Gower and Destination Waitomo co-chairman Nick Andreef. And did the kawakawa tea pass the taste test? After three cups, Mr Key declared it a winner. Mr Barnes boiled the water for the tea – it comes from the natural spring which feeds the caves – on a quaint coal range in the hut and made a brew using dried kawakawa leaves harvested from around the mouth of the glowworm cave.

TRADITIONAL USES
He says the tea was traditionally used by Maori to treat a range of conditions and as a health tonic for general wellbeing. The tea leaves are harvested twice a year from five-year-old plants.

Following the ceremony, Mr Key planted a kawakawa bush beside the hut. Mr Andreef says: “It’s very cool that our Prime Minister is opening this wonderful new venture at Cave World. “Waitomo tourism has enormous scope for growth and we are lucky to have entrepreneurs like Kyle Barnes, promoting ventures which tap into a whole new class of tourists. “They are appealing to the high end market, customers who are discerning and will stay longer, do more and spend more. “That’s certainly what we want – quality tourism.” Mr Andreef was delighted the Prime Minister was also going to speak to North King Country tourism leaders. “He’s been tourism minister since he came to power and the tourism industry appreciates his support, both at a local and regional level,” he says.

Article courtesy of Waitomo News

TRNZ introduces new client – Shotover Canyon Swing, Queenstown

Shotover Canyon Swing is a giant rope swing set on a 109m high cliff just 10 minutes from downtown Queenstown over the Shotover River.  With a unique design and magnificent location it offers over 70 different jumpstyles that take swingers on a 60m freefall past the vertical cliff face.

Established in 2002 by two Queenstown locals the creation involves a cliff-top swing system.  Over 150,000 happy international visitors have enjoyed the thrill - most visitors do more than 1 jump.  Not only are the customers happy because of the adrenaline rush but also because of the personalised, humorous and professional staff who provide an amazing level of service.

Distinction Dunedin Hotel - Opening 1 October 2015

Distinction Hotels is excited to announce the newest addition to its New Zealand owned and operated hotels – Distinction Dunedin Hotel, which will open on 1 October 2015. They welcome enquiries and reservations for accommodation, functions and conferences from this date.

The Distinction Hotels Group has been transforming the 1930's former Chief Post Office in Dunedin into an elegant 41/2 star hotel, located in the rejuvenated and vibrant exchange area in the heart of the city.

The highly anticipated Dunedin hotel will consist of 121 elegant air-conditioned studios and suites to suit everyone from businesses travellers requiring spacious and modern facilities to those seeking a relaxing weekend away. Complementing this brand new accommodation is a restaurant, bar, conference facilities and an on-site gym.

FREE high speed WiFi will be available to all hotel guests with no time limits or data cap. This complimentary service has become synonymous with Distinction Hotels throughout New Zealand

FREE WiFi at South Island Distinction Hotels

The Distinction Hotels Group has completed installing complimentary, unlimited WiFi in their South Island based hotels. Guests staying at Distinction Fox Glacier Hotel and two Te Anau based properties - Distinction Luxmore and Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas can now access this free WiFi in all guest rooms, meeting rooms and public areas of the hotels. Distinction Dunedin Hotel will follow suit when it opens on 1 October 2015.

Last year the Group rolled out this complimentary high speed WiFi service at four of its North Island hotels - Distinction Wellington Century City Hotel, Distinction Palmerston North Hotel & Conference Centre, Distinction Rotorua Hotel & Conference Centre and Discovery Settlers Hotel Whangarei.

Duncan Fletcher, CEO of Distinction Hotels said “We understand that demand for high quality, free WiFi has increased and this now influences a customer’s decision to stay at a particular hotel. We are pleased with this significant development and look forward to our business and leisure customers’ enjoyment of this service”.

Tourism New Zealand campaign - Hamilton Gardens simply stunning

Hamilton Gardens starred in a recent Tourism New Zealand campaign for Cricket World Cup media attendees with this stunning drone video. It perfectly captures the Gardens unique gardens collections and its concept of telling the story of gardens through different civilisations. Click here to view.

New Zealand Riverjet launches Riverjet Scenic Blast

Operating at 10am daily (or other times by appointment), the scenic blast offers you a 45 minute, 32km return trip down our mighty Waikato river. Enjoy a slice of New Zealand scenery only a select few have ever seen.

Set off with a scenic jet boat ride in a sleek black boat on the magnificent Waikato River - New Zealand’s longest river. See birds, pine forests, farmlands, native bush, the 50 metre high Tutukau Gorge, steaming volcanic river banks, trout feeding areas, and hear stories about the region from your driver/guide.

On our return our jet boat driver will put pedal to the metal and taking you for an exhilarating thrill ride home! This includes the famous Hamilton spills! So hold on tight and get ready for some real fun!

Qualmark certifications for TRNZ Clients

A number of TRNZ clients have recently completed Qualmark certification. Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, providing a trusted guide to quality travel experiences. Qualmark makes it easy for travellers to select high quality places to stay, things to do, and ways to get around. When you see a business displaying the Qualmark symbol you can be assured that the business has met stringent quality standards and environmental criteria - earning New Zealand tourism’s official quality mark.

The Park Hotel, Ruapehu are proud holders of Qualmark award Hotel 3 Star plus as well as Qualmark Enviro Award Bronze.

Gold Discovery Centre, Waihi are proud holders of the Qualmark Endorsed Visitor Activity Award.

That’s it for now, if you require further information on any of our products please contact Jason or Rob. We will have another action packed newsletter next month, so stay tuned.

Jason Baker & Rob Finlayson