Western North Island

Objectives of this module

• Explain the key selling points of Western North Island.
• Build an itinerary including key highlights of the regions.
• Identify the key tourism centres in these regions.
• Link these regions with other parts of New Zealand.

Key selling points

• Egmont National Park & Whanganui National Park
• Mt Taranaki: the close proximity of the mountain to the sea is one of Taranaki’s special features.
• Outstanding public and private gardens: many registered as Gardens of National Significance.
• Three rivers, the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Manawatu.
  

Story

In the Maori language, Taranaki means 'Gliding Peak', a name that ties to the legend of how the mountain came to its location. As the story goes, Taranaki once lived with the North Island’s other great volcanoes (Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe) but was banished for falling in love with Tongariro’s wife, a smaller volcano called Pihanga. On his journey to where he currently sits, he carved out the path of Whanganui River.

Quick overview

• Main centres - New Plymouth, Wanganui and Palmerston North
• Travel through the western regions of the North Island to get to Auckland or Wellington; an alternative to the central route through the North Island.
• Palmerston North is 2 hours north of Wellington and New Plymouth is five hours south of Auckland.

Working through the Module

• The module should take you approximately 3 hours. Suggested timings have been recommended for each of the sections.
• Look out for important points, listed below, as you read through the module:

		Tasks that you can do as you work through the module to increase your knowledge. These are highly recommended, as they will help you successfully complete the module test.
		Information that will help you up-sell product and demonstrate to your client that you are an expert in selling New Zealand.
		Highlights from within the region

Compulsory Task

The compulsory task is designed to test your learning and reinforce your skills.

As you work through the module use the information you gather to build an itinerary using the following criteria:

• Mode of transport: Rental Car
• Time available: Six days
• Starting point: Auckland
• Ending point: Wellington
• Client Profile: Two couples, interested in gardens, art, and outdoor experiences including tramping.

Take into consideration, travel times between centres and include suggested activities and attractions that fit your clients’ profiles. When you have completed the itinerary check Section Four to see how your itinerary compares or go onto the Tourism New Zealand website to look at suggested itineraries in the Driving Routes section.

Use this module, websites, and any other resources you have in your workplace to include as much pre-bookable product as you can.

Websites

There will be references to the Tourism New Zealand website in this module - newzealand.com and regional websites. Take time to get familiar with these websites, as they are a vital source of information:

Sections within the Module

There are five sections to this module:

Section 1:
Taranaki

Section 2:
Wanganui and Manawatu

Section 3:
Annual Events: Events can be used to add value to a trip to New Zealand or alternatively a starting point for a holiday.

Section 4:
Suggested itineraries

Section 5:
Short Test
You must submit this to successfully complete the module.

© Tourism New Zealand 2003. All rights reserved.
This material is provided for the purpose of educating and training tourism industry professionals only. This material may not be used, copied, distributed or otherwise reproduced for any other purpose without Tourism New Zealand’s express written consent. Please contact us directly by email at traveltrade@tnz.govt.nz if you would like to request our permission to use this material in your business. We will consider all such requests on a case by case basis.

Disclaimer
Any prices are provided as an indication only and these are subject to change. Operator listings are provided as a guide and the list is not exhaustive. Check newzealand.com for more tourism operators. Operator names are provided in these modules for information only and should not be considered as an official recommendation or endorsement.