What's Happening

Ah Spring! Longer days have arrived in New Zealand, with daylight savings bringing more sunlight, and more time to play! It’s a perfect time for long walks, sunset dinners, early morning activities like fishing and birding and more active pursuits such as water sports and scenic flights. As well as all this, New Zealand lays on a feast of spring flavours, from our garden produce to seasonal delights like whitebait and lamb. It’s always a perfect time to visit us, but Spring certainly has us feeling 100% New Zealand!

Hawke's Bay

Breckenridge Lodge Cooking Classes

Celebrated chef Malcolm Redmond has travelled the world to discover the most delicious and unique offering from the kitchen. Now, taking his cues from some of the top restaurants in the world, he is ready to share his recipes and talents. Malcolm is offering hands-on cooking classes in the lovely environment of Breckenridge Lodge. Keeping the menu delicious yet simple, participants learn how to create a unique three-course meal from healthy seasonal ingredients, and how to match gastronomic creations with the perfect wines. Guests will enjoy the fruits of their labour, and spectacular views, in the comfort of Breckenridge's gorgeous communal dining hall. Malcolm, one of New Zealand's top chefs, has recently completely a 10 year stint as Executive Chef at Church Road winery.
www.breckenridgelodge.co.nz

Bay Tours & Charters - Best of the Bay Sightseeing Tour

The 'Best of the Bay' wine and sightseeing tours take in key highlights for those on a short schedule. The full day tour runs from 10am-5pm and includes: Tour of Napier Art Deco highlights and earthquake commentary, Bluff Hill lookout - view of Port and Hawke Bay, Arataki Honey Centre - live bee displays and tasting, Telegraph Hill Olivery - tasting, Hohepa cheese - tasting, Tour of Hastings, Drive through picturesque Oak Grove, Stop at Havelock North Village for refreshments, Silky Oak chocolate factory and tasting, Waiohiki stump carvings, Otatara Pa site - historic Maori village, Visit historic Mission Winery, Visit Classic Sheepskins factory and outlet and full commentary is provided. The tour is also available in shortened format during the afternoon, running from 1pm-5pm.
www.baytours.co.nz

Tākaro Trails

Tākaro Trails offer cycling tours of Hawke’s Bay, with the option to self-guide. With a shared passion for the outdoors and increasing popularity of biking as a fun and healthy holiday option, Jenny and Christine established Tākaro Trails to provide quality outdoor holidays in sunny Hawke's Bay. Clients can decide on the length and difficulty of their ride, as well as having the flexibility to vary the amount of time spent visiting the region's many attractions. Hawke's Bay boasts mild weather, great on and off-road tracks and wonderfully diverse scenery.
www.takarotrails.co.nz

Taupo

Hilton Lake Taupo - Opening November

Hilton's newest hotel is opening soon in Taupo. Situated near New Zealand's largest lake, with sweeping views of Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park, Hilton Lake Taupo is the ideal base for exploring this magnificent region. From fly fishing, adventure sports to relaxing in one of the natural thermal hot pools, the location has it all. Originally the Terraces Hotel, Hilton Lake Taupo was built in 1889 and offers the flexibility to choose from hotel rooms to family sized apartments, providing space, facilities and privacy.
www.hilton.com

Queeenstown

Touch of Spice - 50 Aspen Grove Queenstown

This brand new, architecturally designed 3 bedroom house plus study located in Aspen Grove, Queenstown, has magnificent, uninterrupted lake and mountain views. This stunning property boasts a pool, spa, sauna and gym as well as state of the art entertainment technology, outside fire and bbq. From just NZ$1250.00 per night (low season) for up to 6 guests. Contact the Reservations Team today to secure this magnificent villa for your clients.
www.touchofspice.co.nz

Rotorua

Kaitiaki Adventures - Okere Kopia

Check out 'Kaitiaki Adventures’ thrilling ½ day combo, Okere Kopia. First, Heli to Kaitiaki Adventures’ exclusive entrance to the Okere River where 10 kms of spectacular whitewater awaits. See untouched beautiful scenery and pass through historic Maori lands, infused with cultural significance before getting to your whitewater adventure. Then, negotiate awesome drops & rapids, accompanied by New Zealand’s best river guides before meeting up with the Kaituna Jet Boat for the last 12 kms of this truly world class combination of amazing scenery and adventure.
www.kaitiaki.co.nz

Rainbow Springs - 750th Kiwi chick born!

There were celebrations for the Rainbow Springs team recently as the 750th kiwi chick was born as part of the BNZ Operation Nest Egg Save the Kiwi programme. The little bundle of feathers weighed in at a tiny 399.9 grams (0.8816 pounds)! This milestone joins a long list of achievements for the conservation focussed business. Rainbow Springs Nature Park has been hugely successful with breeding programs for kiwi and other endangered NZ birds and animals. The Kiwi Encounter facility was opened in 2004 and is now the largest Operation Nest Egg facility in New Zealand and the only one open to the public and purpose built. The park includes over 1.5km of easy walking track in natural bush surroundings, where spring fed pools house numerous trout, and native and introduced animals are cared for by a dedicated team.
www.rainbowsprings.co.nz

Southern Lakes

Real Journeys

Real Journeys recently launched a luxurious new $2.5 million tourism vessel, the MV Sinbad, in Milford Sound for cruise excursions. The MV Sinbad is a luxurious small motor vessel with comfortable seating, large windows and external observation decks. Up on the bridge, the vessel has floor to ceiling windows that will allow for great viewing even on the wettest Fiordland days. The MV Sinbad has been purpose built to and has a maximum capacity of 75 passengers, ensuring a more intimate experience. The vessel will be used for Real Journeys’ very popular Milford Sound Nature Cruises, enabling the number of departures to double to six times per day during the peak summer season. Luxury coach services from Queenstown and Te Anau will operate year round connecting with these cruise departures. The introduction of the MV Sinbad to the Nature Cruises fleet has also enabled the commencement of a new flight and nature cruise option from Queenstown.
www.realjourneys.co.nz