As New Zealand is enjoying some fantastic weather, with locals and visitors alike making the most of our seemingly endless summer. The NZ tourism industry is also finding many reasons to celebrate – Record visitor numbers, NZ winning top country in the world award from an influential UK travel magazine and positive feedback coming from all the sectors.

Whilst the industry is enjoying riding this wave of growth, behind the scenes a lot of hard work is going on to ensure this is managed and maintained effectively. That visitor experiences and enjoyment continues to be met and exceeded, all of this is very exciting for NZ and makes marketing our country and some of our best accommodation and activities such a pleasure!

This month’s newsletter includes the following highlights:

·       Hamilton Gardens extend their daily tours throughout the year

·       Shotover Canyon Fox officially opens

·       Distinction Whangarei & Hamilton Hotels– NOW OPEN!

·       Tamaki launch Tamaki Rangatira te waka

·       TRNZ Product overview

Hamilton Gardens Daily Tours

Due to the popularity of Hamilton Gardens summer daily tours, these have been extended through the year.

Departing from the Information Centre, the tour takes in Waikato's most visited tourist destination with approximately one million visits annually. Take a journey with the guides and learn about how the Gardens were transformed from a city rubbish dump into an internationally award winning garden. Discover the Story of Gardens through time and different civilisations.

Retail rates: Adult $15 / Child 6-14 years $8 / Children 5 and under free of charge. Minimum of two people.

Departing: 11am daily for 1:15 hours

Times: Tours operate daily. Enquire about public holidays. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Bookings:

Between 1 December and 31 March: Book before 9:30am on day of tour.

Between 1 April to 30 November: 48 hours notice required.

More information: www.hamiltongardens.co.nz/guided-tours/

Shotover Canyon Fox

The Shotover Canyon Fox is the latest addition to the long list of options on offer at the Shotover Canyon.  The Canyon Fox is in essence New Zealand's highest flying fox (or zip line) featuring a unique launch rail system, which is the first of its kind in the world and gives you a dropping sensation before you zip across the Shotover Canyon.

To understand a bit more about how this works, please take a look at their quick video – it’ll give you butterflies just watching it!

For further information please contact Jason or Rob

Tamaki Maori Village marks 26 years with launch of Te Waka Tamaki Rangatira.

Timed for its 26th year anniversary a top tourism icon in Rotorua, Tamaki Maori Village has launched its newest venture, Te waka Tamaki Rangatira.

Tamaki Rangatira was blessed during a dawn ceremony attended by dedicated team members, and a group of 25 international visitors who had stayed at Tamaki Maori Village on the Overnight Marae Stay experience. An impressive 40-foot waka or canoe carved by Master Carver Albert Te Pou and Rotorua wood carvers Logan Shipgood and Doug Maxwell was unveiled as daylight made its way in to the village forest.

People from New Zealand’s tourism industry attended an official launch during the day. Guests were treated to a display of how Tamaki Rangatira will be woven in to the existing evening cultural experience that is offered at Tamaki Maori Village on a nightly basis.  Kyle Kydd Manager of Rotorua I-Site who attended the launch says, “Tamaki itself is an awesome product, but having this added to it just takes it to another level and gives it another experience”.

Director Doug Tamaki said “We talk about the waka and its significance, and the migration of Maori, when we talk about those stories people relate to that.” The addition of the waka has enhanced the Tamaki Maori Village experience. It will become a significant feature of the powerful welcome ceremony and will also be included in to the interactive village where visitors will be able to retrace the great story of migration, historical aspects & traditions that Maori associate with waka, or canoe.  

During its twenty six year history Tamaki Maori Village have welcomed over 1.5 million visitors from across the globe. Open every night of the year (except Christmas day) the company has no less than 100 employed staff all year round, and during the summer season this increases to 160 employees. Over 15,000 traditional hangi meals have been lifted from beneath the ground, and more than 100,000 homemade pavlova’s have been shared with their hungry visitors!

The Tamaki brothers Mike and Doug are true pioneers of cultural tourism. With a vision and the sale of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, Tamaki Maori Village was started in 1989 and today is New Zealand’s most awarded cultural attraction. The brothers have indicated that they will continue to develop and grow their cultural experience, to ensure Tamaki Maori Village offers, encompasses and represents all that is Maori.

Distinction Whangarei & Hamilton Hotels – Now Open

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre is centrally located overlooking the Whangarei Quayside Town Basin, the property has 115 air-conditioned hotel rooms and suites. It also offers a fully-licensed bar and restaurant, indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna and gym, as well as conference and event facilities for up to 130 people.

Distinction Hamilton Hotel & Conference Centre is the ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers. Consisting of 147 hotel rooms and suites, it offers extensive guest services including a gym, steam rooms, three spa pools, indoor swimming pool, two restaurants and bar. The hotel boasts some of the largest conference facilities in the Waikato area, catering for up to 600 delegates.

These properties are a fantastic addition to the Distinction portfolio, which now offers 13 hotels in 10 locations throughout New Zealand. These are comprised of premium Distinction Hotels and their ‘sister’ Discovery Hotels brand that includes two three-star hotels.

FEATURED VIDEO  - Ever wondered what goes on at Haast River Safari?? Check out their video here

TRNZ Product Overview

A quick reminder of the products TRNZ represents:

• Agroventures Adventure Park
• Auckland Jet Boat Tours
• Bella Vista Accommodation Network
• Cave World
• Cruise Milford
• Distinction Hotel Group
• Experience Comvita
• Guided Footprints
• Haast River Safari
• Hamilton Gardens
• New Zealand Riverjet
• Roselands Waitomo Caves
• Shotover Canyon Swing, Queenstown
• Tamaki Maori Village Rotorua
• Waihi Gold Discovery Centre & Waihi Gold Mine Tours
• Ziptrek Ecotours
• Zorb Rotorua

Jason Baker will be away in South America during the month of March and is looking forward to visiting all the latin agents during his sales mission to Brazil, Argentina and Chile. During this time Jason is away on his sales mission and part annual leave, for any assistance please feel free to contact Rob Finlayson.

Jason Baker email 021 952 028

Rob Finlayson email 021 279 8550