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National News
Rotorua named among 'best bike trials on earth'
Rotoruas world-renowned mountain bike trails have won global praise from Red Bull as one of the eight top mountain biking destinations on earth the only place awarded such recognition in the Southern Hemisphere.
Red Bulls The Red Bulletin magazine, released world-wide this week, ranks Rotorua among the best mountain bike destinations and describes the citys 60 trails, which span more than 130 kilometres, as a dream destination for beginners and thrill-seekers alike.
The Kiwi mountain biking mecca set amongst unbeatable scenery in 55,000 hectares of the Whakarewarewa Forest boasts a variety of graded tracks. Other worldwide destinations to make Red Bulls prestigious list include iconic regions like Whistler in Canada, Big Water in the United States, the Himalayan Foothills in Nepal, and the Gobi Desert in China.
Rotorua has long been recognised as a premium mountain biking destination in Australasia and Destination Rotorua Marketing general manager, Oscar Nathan, says this accolade will put the region even more firmly on the radars of mountain biking enthusiasts around the world.
Rotorua is extremely proud to have this high-profile international recognition. It really cements our positioning as the mountain bike capital of New Zealand and more widely as a top mountain biking destination in the Southern Hemisphere, Nathan says.
Reviewers and mountain biking pros consistently give our trails a five star rating and rave about the purpose-built trails through both exotic and native forest. Nowhere else in the world can you take in views of beautiful lakes, geothermal activity and mountains, all in one ride.
Nathan says successful track and road riders like Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist, Sam Bewley, and world number one BMX rider, Sarah Walker, began their rise to cycling stardom on Rotoruas steep climbs and technical trails.
The city has played host to a number of premier mountain biking events including the UCI 2006 Worlds, the UCI 2006 Oceania Championships, the New Zealand mountain bike championships, the 2008 and 2013 single speed nationals and the inaugural 2013 Rotorua Bike Festival.
Rotorua Mayor, Kevin Winters, says that in terms of recognition for the regions trails, it doesnt get a lot better than this.
Being named one of the best mountain biking destinations on earth is something special. This is fantastic news for our mountain bike operators, the many parties who diligently look after and maintain our trails, and of course our regions people who can take huge pride in this award, says Mr Winters.
This sentiment is reflected at Mountain Bike New Zealand headquarters, with president Jordan Moss saying the top eight title will further cement Rotoruas reputation as being truly world-famous and help attract more mountain bike riders here from overseas.
We are extremely lucky to have one of the worlds absolute best trail networks on our doorstep. We have an unrivalled blend of riding surfaces, topography and scenery that caters for all skill and fitness levels.
Mountain biking is one of the worlds fastest growing sports and Rotorua has made it both easy and a pleasure to take part, with dedicated shuttle services, hire options and tour guides now readily available all year round, says Moss.
In 2010, Australian Mountain Bike magazine editor, Chris Southwood, raved about his experience on the citys mountain biking trails.
Even the hype doesnt really do the place justice. What the lucky folk of Rotorua have right on their doorstep is truly world leading with trails that are mesmerising, absorbing and just plain fun.
Photo / Whakarewarewa Forest Mountain Biking, Rotorua - Credit Graeme Murray.
Fuel prices reach lowest levels in 9 months
Petrol prices fell 12 cents during April and could drop below $2 a litre according to the Automobile Association.
The price of 91 octane petrol fell to $2.05 per litre in the main centres, while diesel fell 10 cents per litre to $1.42 a litre at most service stations, the lowest price since July 2012.
"Since mid-March, petrol prices have fallen 16 cents per litre, and diesel 13 cents. In all, fuel prices have fallen on seven consecutive occasions, the most number of sustained drops since June 2012," says AA PetrolWatch spokesperson Mark Stockdale.
"However, the AA’s monitoring of commodity prices shows that since the last retail price increase in mid-February, the imported cost of petrol has fallen nearly 19 cents per litre, and diesel 16 cents. That means fuel companies have not passed all of the lower costs onto motorists, although some service stations have discounted prices below $2 a litre."
This time last year we were paying $2.20 a litre for 91 petrol and $1.57 a litre for diesel, meaning motorists buying 40 litres of petrol today will be saving about $6 a time, or about $158 a year for a typical 2-litre car.
"International fuel prices have been consistently falling due to lower global demand, and increased supply as refinery production comes back after shutting down for maintenance," Mr Stockdale said.
"Although in the last few days oil prices have risen slightly, at current trends there is a good chance the price of 91 octane petrol will fall below $2 a litre soon, the first time since June and July last year," Mr Stockdale added.
Rotorua's accommodation sector on the up
Rotorua’s plethora of successful large events over summer have resulted in its highest ever volume of
Visitor nights rose 19.2 per cent to 80,500 during February 2013 compared to a national decrease of 4.0 per cent against the same period in 2012, as outlined in Statistics New Zealand’s February 2013 Commercial Accommodation Monitor released earlier last month.
By contrast to the national figures, the Central North Island had good growth in domestic visitor nights during February. Rotorua’s whopping 19.2 per cent boost was the key contributor to the region’s growth, but Bay of Plenty (up 7.1 per cent), Taupo (up 1.9 per cent) and Ruapehu (up 2.6 per cent) also benefited from more domestic visitor nights.
Destination Rotorua Marketing general manager, Oscar Nathan, says several key events drew big domestic crowds to Rotorua in February and contributed to the extremely positive statistics.
"Te Matatini - the national kapa haka festival, was held at Rotorua International Stadium which attracted thousands of participants and spectators. The inaugural Rotorua Bike Festival, the popular annual Raggamuffin music festival, and the Australasia IPSC Handgun Championships also contributed to strong demand for commercial accommodation."
"We are very encouraged by the success of these events and as a result we have a renewed focus on attracting more high-quality national and international events to our city in the coming years," says Nathan.
He adds, the Commercial Accommodation Monitor is an important benchmark of how Rotorua is doing on a national scale against a number of indicators and February’s results highlighted a lot of positives for the region.
"The Monitor also showed increased international visitor activity in Rotorua during February. International visitor nights spent in Rotorua’s commercial accommodation were up 15.2 per cent compared to February last year, versus an 8.3 per cent increase nationally," he says.
It also showed that Rotorua’s hotel and motel sectors did very well overall, with hotels up 22.5 per cent and motels up 27.3 per cent year-on-year.
The city’s hotels and motels weren’t the only ones to benefit from Rotorua’s rise in popularity - the tourism attraction sites also did a roaring trade.
In February there was a 12.3 per cent increase in total visits to attractions participating in the Rotorua Attraction and Activities Monitor, compared to the same time last year.
The change in timing of Chinese New Year from January last year to February this year was also a key contributor to February’s growth, with Chinese visits to Rotorua attractions increasing from 34,200 to 63,000.
Nathan says Rotorua’s tourism leaders will take great heart from the latest statistics, and will continue to focus on effective ways of marketing their businesses and the region as a whole.
"These results are really encouraging and we’re confident our nationwide ‘Famously Rotorua’ campaign, which launched late last year, will pay big dividends over the next three years by attracting even more domestic visitors here than ever before."
Rotorua luge 15 millionth milestone
Nearly running out of petrol on State Highway 23 proved fortuitous for a Tauranga family yesterday, when they became the 15 millonth luge riders at Rotorua’s Skyline visitor attraction.
Father Mike Moroney, seven year old Michael Moroney and mum Jackie Roberts have won a trip to Queenstown as a result of hitting the milestone, along with a basket of goodies that includes personalised luge helmets, Volcanic Hills wine, Jelly Beans and more. The family recently moved to Tauranga from Christchurch.
Ms Roberts says the family nearly didn't make it to Rotorua for the school holiday day trip, after belatedly realising they didn't have enough petrol to make it across the Tauranga Direct Rd.
"At Pyes Pa we suddenly realised that we might get a bit stuck so we actually drove back to Greerton to get petrol. If we hadn't done that, we wouldn't have made the milestone!"
Skyline General Manager, Bruce Thomasen, says the company is thrilled to celebrate the significant 15 million luge ride milestone today.
"This is a massive milestone for us as an organisation, but also for all our staff and the wider Rotorua community.
"Not only are we a key physical landmark at the top of Mt Ngongotaha in Rotorua, we are also a significant contributor to the local economy.
"We now host more than 420,000 visitors every year, with a large proportion of those being domestic or international visitors who inevitably end up spending money in restaurants, cafes, shops or other attractions in and around Rotorua.
"We are proud to be a big part of this community and to play our role in its growth and development."
Skyline Rotorua's luge operation was the first in the world when it opened on 9 March in 1985. Skyline Enterprises now has luge operations in Queenstown, Singapore and Canada. Planning is also underway for a new operation in South Korea.
Mr Thomasen says the luge tracks have changed extensively since the operation first opened, but the heart of it remains the same - having fun.
"More than 750,000 luge rides are taken in Rotorua every year - with visitors usually riding more than once."
He says Rotorua also plays a role in the development of the global business, with the luge carts and components still manufactured locally and shipped around the world.
Jackie Roberts says the family unexpectedly surprised and delighted to be the 15 millionth luge riders.
"We have been watching the weather forecast and decided to come to Rotorua today for a family day out. Skyline was our first stop and it's ended up being so much more than we expected."
Ms Roberts says the family have also ridden the Skyline luge in Queenstown and Sentosa (Singapore).
"We really enjoyed this track too and I'm looking forward to several more luge rides today," she says.
Locals and visitors have the opportunity to participate in the milestone celebrations, with two photo competitions running at Skyline until Sunday May 5. Winning entries are in the running for annual Gondola passes and dinner vouchers.
The first competition involves visitors giving their best pukana (haka face) while experiencing the luge, while the other invites visitors to sending their own fun photos of Skyline Rotorua on the attraction’s website page. The photos with the most public votes will win.
Taupo luxury lodge on the market
One of Taupo’s elite group of high-end luxury lodges has been placed on the market for sale. Chalet Eiger on the edge of Lake Taupo is a purpose-built four-bedroom lodge whose rates range up to $608 in the height of the tourist season.
The 510 square metre property was built in 2005 and was based around the Swiss architectural styles of its European-born owner/operator Emil Horvath. The lodge has a five-star Qualmark rating, and is ranked alongside the region’s premier accommodation providers - sitting beside the likes of Huka Lodge, Point Villas, Tongariro Lodge, Lake Taupo Lodge, and Te Kowhai.
Communal guest amenities within Chalet Eiger include a library, lounge with an open fire, a four-person sauna, and a large dining room serviced by a semi-commercial grade kitchen. All four of the luxury guest rooms are air conditioned, have their own ensuites, and feature balconies overlooking the Lake Taupo with a vista further afield towards Mt Ruapehu. The guest rooms measure 37 square metres, including bathroom amenities.
Chalet Eiger is being marketed for sale by Bayleys Taupo through sales person Kim Maitland, who said the lodge would suit a couple wanting a ‘lifestyle business’ with potential to grow revenues by operating a year-round accommodation entity.
"Chalet Eiger currently runs from November until April, and over the past three financial years has been generating sales of between $51,000 - $58,000. Prior to the global financial crises the business was turning over significantly higher revenues," Ms Maitland said.
"The current owner/operators spend much of the New Zealand winter living abroad, so the potential for any new owner would be to expand the trading season from six moths to 12."
The property has average guest stays of two nights, and accommodation supply contracts with in-bound tour operators including ATS, AOT, Aroha Tours, Best of NZ Fly Fishing, Magnetic South, and Fine Tours NZ.
Customer demographics for the lodge are largely international free independent travelers - with 35 percent coming from the UK and Europe, 25 percent of guests coming from North America, 20 percent emanating from Australia, 10 percent domestic tourists, and 10 percent from Asia. The lodge also hosts small corporate on-site meetings and incentive functions linked to the accommodation amenities.
In addition to Qualmark affiliation, Chalet Eiger has been a member of the Tourism Association of New Zealand, a member of the gourmet food organisation New Zealand Slow Food Movement, and a member of the tourism environmental sustainability group Green Globe. The lodge has its own waste-water treatment plant and can draw fresh water from either the town-supply or from a rainwater collection pipe network fed from the roof.
The grounds at Chalet Eiger contain a selection of vegetable and herb gardens, productive fruit and nut trees, and a selection of. Trading accounts show that 70 percent of guests have dinner at the lodge, at an additional cost, rather than heading into town. All rooms within the lodge have heat pumps installed, with water heated by four gas burners.
Ms Maitland said that during the six-month operating season, Chalet Eiger employed two full-time staff for the day to day running of the guest services, as well as two part-time staff to assist with housekeeping duties. The lodge building also encompassed a separate owner/manager’s wing comprising of a double bedroom, bathroom, living room and laundry.
The Ministry of Economic Development’s latest regional tourism paper for Lake Taupo forecasts a positive growth phase for the area over the medium term - with international ‘visitor nights’ predicted to grow 21.2 percent between 2009 and 2016. Concurrent with that, the report predicts that international visitor spend will escalate by 30.3 percent over the same period.
Ms Maitland said that with a strong marketing presence and a well-defined target audience, Chalet Eiger was ideally placed to capitalise on the forecast upswing in international visitor numbers.
"Taupo is renowned for having a prevalence of high-end international visitors - which is why the area has developed so many boutique luxury lodges, including as Chalet Eiger. This conglomeration of lodges has enhanced the region’s reputation and acted as a magnet for this sector," she said.
"Per capita of population, Taupo ranks alongside Queenstown and Rotorua as the leading towns in New Zealand offering boutique luxury accommodation. The growth in that sector has been organic, and Chalet Eiger has been part of instigating that growth.
"The strength of Taupo as a high-end tourist destination is its variety of attractions and activities. While these were first founded on the likes of trout fishing and geothermal sight-seeing, there is now a far broader spectrum - encompassing golf, hunting, and most recently... the Tongariro Crossing."
Rotorua luget set for significant milestone
Twenty-eight years after opening with its world-first luge operation, Skyline Rotorua is about to hit a huge milestone - its 15 millionth luge ride. Based on electronic record-taking, the milestone is expected to fall sometime in April.
Skyline Rotorua General Manager, Bruce Thomasen, says the milestone is a "mind-blowing" development for the operation.
"Our luge operation was a world-first and it was the only commercial luge operation in New Zealand until Skyline Queenstown added a luge to its site in 1997," says Mr Thomasen.
"Now, more than 750,000 luge rides are hosted at the Rotorua site every year - with visitors usually riding more than once!"
Skyline Rotorua now has three luge tracks - with a combined length of near 5km including the scenic track and intermediate tracks which are both suitable for all ages, and a 1km advanced track which features tight bends and dips suitable for more experienced lugers aged 10 and over.
The Rotorua operation is part of Skyline Enterprises, which now also operates luge attractions in Canada and Singapore, with planning underway for a new site in Korea.
"Skyline has become an iconic Rotorua attraction and remains a must-do for both domestic and international visitors. Our 15 millionth luge ride is an important milestone not only for us, but for the wider Rotorua region as well," says Mr Thomasen.
"We hope locals and visitors alike will play a role in helping celebrate this significant event."
As part of the milestone celebrations, Skyline Rotorua is running two photographic competitions, with winning entries awarded annual Gondola passes and dinner vouchers.
The first competition will involve visitors giving their best pukana (a "haka face") while experiencing the luge, while the other invites visitors to post their own fun photos of Skyline Rotorua in general on the attraction's website page. The photos with the most public votes will win.
The lucky person who completes the 15 millionth ride will win a trip for two to Queenstown including return flights from Auckland to Queenstown, two nights' accommodation at Blue Peaks, a helicopter flight and dinner for two at the spectacular Skyline Queenstown restaurant.
The luge milestone is the latest in a series of "firsts" for the visitor attraction in the past 12 months, with the opening of its Jelly Bean Concept Store a year ago, the establishment of the Volcanic Hills winery and tasting room at the site, and the hosting of the inaugural Skyline Sprint Warrior downhill mountain bike race in February.
"We have continuously sought to improve what we offer in recent years, expanding not only our luge tracks, but also our other facilities," says Mr Thomasen.
"We've undertaken a significant investment and development programme over the past 18 months, including completely revamping our hilltop cafe, opening the Jelly Bean shop, revamping our carpark and creating new nature trails.
"We are committed to the local and national tourism industries and feel very positive about the recovery of our sector and the New Zealand economy. We will continue to find new ways to improve our offering to ensure that we provide visitors with the ultimate, fun, Rotorua experience," he says.
Entries for the photo competitions will close on Friday, May 5. More information about the competitions and other promotions to celebrate the luge milestone can be found on the Skyline Rotorua website (www.skyline.co.nz/rotorua/).
Crackdown on dodgy tourism industry
Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain has welcomed the successful prosecution of two companies and two individuals convicted of mislabelling products that were sold to visiting Asian tourists.
The sentencing in the Auckland District Court resulted from charges brought by the Commerce Commission under the Fair Trading Act followed a multi-agency investigation in August 2011.
"This is a landmark interagency investigation and its outcome sends a very clear message that the New Zealand Government will not tolerate the exploitation of our international visitors for financial gain," says Mr Tremain.
"We strive to ensure that our visitors are offered the best possible experience of New Zealand, including their interactions with our retail sector.
"The Commerce Commission acts to protect the interest of consumers, and in this case, the rights of tourists who represent a valuable segment of our economy."
The affected tourists from China, Korea and Taiwan were on organised tours that visited souvenir stores in Auckland and Rotorua. They were sold over-priced items like alpaca rugs, which were imported goods falsely labelled as New Zealand made, and duvets that did not have the claimed wool content.
"Breaches against tourists are relatively rare when considered across the wider tourism industry, but they will not be tolerated, says Mr Tremain.
"New Zealand makes many high-quality products that international visitors like purchasing when on holiday here. We will continue to ensure that goods offered to visitors are high-quality, good value for money and are correctly labelled."
InterCity launches BusChat
New Zealand bus operator InterCity has today unveiled a revolutionary new way to strike up a conversation with other passengers, in fact, other bus passengers all over the world!
BusChat is a social media network developed by InterCity New Zealand exclusively for bus passengers and enables travellers to live chat with fellow bus passengers, via video link, on other buses around the world.
"Bus travel is a social experience and so we wanted to take this a step further and allow our passengers to share their journey with other bus travellers in real-time across the world," explains InterCity CEO Malcolm Johns.
Using either a tablet or smartphone, passengers can join the BusChat network by clipping their device into the seat in front of them to automatically join the private BusChat social network. The network provides unlimited chat time with fellow bus travellers from all four corners of the globe.
Having pioneered the technology, New Zealand-based InterCity Coachlines has licensed the software to other long distance bus operators in Australia, USA, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and China, creating a worldwide BusChat network of over 1 billion bus passengers.
"We’ve been thrilled with the response we’ve received from other transport operators around the world and are currently in talks to bring the concept to the London Underground and over one million Tuk-Tuk operators across Asia," said Johns.
InterCity passengers in New Zealand will be the first in the world to experience the social network when BusChat launches on the 1st April and live demonstration of the service will be available on the company’s website at www.intercity.co.nz/buschat
Explore the South Island off the beaten track
Whether it's for Middle Earth or eco-friendly farm stays, New Zealand's South Island gets quite a bit of attention. Christchurch, Dunedin, Franz Josef and Invercargill are only a few of the reasons that this locale gets so much travel credit, but if you dig deeper, you'll be astounded by more off-the-beaten-path treasures that bring the wonders of Aotearoa to a whole new level. Whether you're taking flights from North Island or finding a Dunedin car hire to a hidden Kiwi spot, you're sure to find something new and exciting in your very own New Zealand home.
Here are some of the coolest things about South Island that you might still have yet to discover:
The backcountry
While tourism boosts like "The Lord of the Rings" have given the Land of the Long White Cloud a great deal of attention, there are spots outside of Christchurch and the rest of Middle Earth that are just as - if not more - beautiful. The countryside lodge Castle Hill Bed and Breakfast is one of those prime places that resides between major travel destinations like Queenstown and Invercargill, so if you don't look hard enough, you might even miss it. Spanning across more than 4-and-a-half hectares, the hideaway is run by Sharon Ford, with the help of her husband and police officer Mark. Not only will you enjoy the friendliest hospitality here, but a fleet of animals will keep you company too, including the pug-snouted kune kune pig, goats and some eager puppies.
Revival Bar
An earthquake can't keep Christchurch from thriving, and one sign of this is the beloved Revival Bar. Designed and decorated entirely with recycled materials, the establishment is a symbol of the revival of the city after the devastating event in 2011. Playing a mix of old and new music from The Beatles to The xx, the local pub invites residents and tourists from far and wide to celebrate the community and its blossoming path toward recovery.
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival
You want offbeat, you got it - South Island is also home of the Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika. Every year, the most daring individuals gather to sample huhu grubs, fried locusts and mountain oysters...which just so happen to be something very different from an oyster. If you're not satisfied until your taste buds have been completely astounded, then this is the festival to attend. Even if you can't make it for the event, some of the stallholders are open year-round, including Udderly Wild Desserts, Monteith's Beer and The Pickled Hu Hu, among others.
Cultural diversity in the classroom
Mention the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it may conjure whimsical thoughts of magic carpets and genies but there’s nothing whimsical about fresh opportunities for the region through a new collaboration between Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Scholarship Programme.
In total 22 Saudi students are currently enrolled at the Polytechnic and last week a group of diplomats from the Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission visited the region to see how their students were settling into life as Kiwi students.
In attendance were His Excellency Dr Sattam Alotaiby, Cultural Attaché, Mr Mohammed Yaghi, Director of Academic Affairs and Mr Bahaa Elmohands, Student Advisor for TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation) students. All were pleased with the students’ progress, some of whom are now into their second and third years of study.
Anne Young, International Manager at the Polytechnic, said economic benefits to the region were significant, both in terms of the dollars the students contributed and the greater opportunities for tourism with students’ families also visiting the region.
“In addition to the financial benefits, there is also the intangible value of having culturally diverse students in our class mix,” says Anne. “They contribute to diversifying our student body and helping us to meet our internationalisation goals. As they are spread among different classes and subjects they bring a different perspective to class discussions which give all students (domestic and international) a more global view of their subject and better prepares them for a globalised workforce.”
Eight of the Saudi students are studying Fashion with the Polytechnic; four are in the third year of the Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Design (Fashion) while the other four are in the second year of a Diploma in Design (Fashion). A further six students are studying Applied Computing, five Tertiary Studies and the remaining three Business Studies.
“It was important to have the opportunity to host the Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission and discuss ways of enhancing our cooperation and to accept more Saudi Arabian students in the future,” said Dr Alan Hampton, Polytechnic Chief Executive.
“Increasing the number of international students at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is strategically important in further internationalising the campus, student experience, Tauranga city and our region.”
Bus crashes into cafe
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| Photo [Cameron Avery] |
The Bay Hopper bus crashed into the Cafe Alfresco on the corner of Hamilton and Cameron Road just after 4pm.
One passenger reported to be 'shaken up' was taken to Tauranga hospital as a precaution. St John Ambulance say.
Alfresco Cafe owner, Malcolm George says he has just been waiting for this to happen.
'I have disputed with the Tauranga City Council over and over again to get them to stop the bus route from Cameron Road down hill on Hamilton Street, because look what happened today.'
Bop Live Reporter Cameron Avery was at the scene and a spoke to a witness who said the cafe is a very busy cafe with the local court workers who normally eat lunch there.
A heavy haulage tow truck was called to remove the bus.
Photos: Cameron Avery.
Kids get free ride to the Museum
Rotorua school children will continue to be able to visit Rotorua Museum for free this year on a bus funded by the Ngāti Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board.
The trust board has confirmed that it will fund the Museum Bus for a fourth year providing free transport to the museum for all Decile 1 to 5 schools in the Rotorua region.
Rotorua Museum's Head of Education, Emma Liley, said she is delighted by the news and expects over 4,000 students to use the free bus this year.
“while the Museum is already free for Rotorua residents, the transport costs can often be expensive and prevent many schools enjoying learning experiences outside the classroom.”
Since funding for the bus was first granted in term two 2010, nearly 14,000 Rotorua students from 26 local primary, intermediate and secondary schools have taken advantage of the free bus. The Museum Bus is provided by Ritchies Transport.
Rare Caterpillar's to remain in NZ
A collection of 36 rare and historic Caterpillar tractors will stay in New Zealand – thanks to Ben Gough, executive director of Gough Group and his sister, Gina Satterthwaite.
The Canterbury-based brother and sister have secured a deal which will see the machines and associated equipment remain here following the sale in Rotorua of the privately-owned New Zealand Caterpillar Experience.The Experience has operated for the last seven years, and is well known world-wide as a unique collection of rare machines.
“When the owner, Lindsay Willis, contacted us to see if we were interested in buying the collection, it was too good an opportunity to pass up,” said Ben Gough.
“The collection is uniquely Kiwi, and reflects the contribution the Caterpillar brand and the Gough Group has made to the development of New Zealand infrastructure and farming.”
The unique legacy of the collection was also a key element in the decision for Gina.
“The history of the machines is also the history of our family, so retaining it in New Zealand, rather than losing it overseas, was an easy decision for us,” she said.
All the machines in the collection were sold or serviced by the Gough Group, and several of them are extremely rare, with only a handful of machines worldwide, including a 1928 Auto Patrol, one of only two known examples in the world, and a Speeder from 1937.
Initially the collection will be moved to a private location for storage while designs are developed for its new long term home. Planning has not yet begun but the intention is to have the historic machines on public view again at some stage in the future.
Taupo hotel joins Choice family
Choice Hotels has added a fantastic Quality Hotel to its accommodation offering in the Central North Island.
Quality Inn Lake Taupo (formerly the Caboose Lodge) joined the Choice Hotels group this month offering quality lakefront accommodation to suit a range of travellers.
Ideally located on the Taupo lakefront, with views across the lake and to Ruapehu, Tongaririo and Ngauruhoe, Quality Inn Lake Taupo is just minutes from the town centre and the airport.
The property offers 41 unique hotels rooms with free wireless internet and a range of conference and function facilities.
Guests at Quality Inn Lake Taupo can enjoy a choice of continental buffet or a la carte cooked breakfast, the use of the well-appointed exercise room, hotel pool, and free parking.
The family owned and operated hotel also boasts its own bar and restaurant that is open each night from 4pm and 6pm respectively, serving delicious food and drinks prepared by the experienced chefs.
Aileen Cobern, Choice Hotels’ General Manager Sales and Marketing, is pleased to start 2013 by adding this fantastic new property to the group: "Quality Inn Lake Taupo is just the sort of property we like to add to our portfolio," she says. "With a range of great room options, a picturesque and central lakefront location, and all the extras, this property appeals to a range of travellers."
Quality Inn Lake Taupo is the first property in 2013 to join the growing list of Choice Hotels in New Zealand after a solid year of expansion in 2012, where Choice Hotels welcomed five new New Zealand properties. Including Quality Inn Lake Taupo, there are now 34 Choice properties across New Zealand.
For further details on Choice Hotels properties throughout New Zealand, please visit www.choicehotels.co.nz
Mixed feelings on summer holiday's move
Twenty-four per cent of respondents say they would prefer to move the traditional New Zealand summer break, including the school holidays, to February when the weather is generally better. However a larger group of 38% are against the proposition, with an equal number undecided.
Settled weather unsurprisingly plays a big part in holiday enjoyment with 40% of Kiwis saying that wet weather is their ultimate peeve while on summer holiday. Twenty percent felt traffic was the most irritating.
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith says talk of moving the summer holiday period surfaces every year and the research demonstrated New Zealanders’ mixed feelings on the issue.
“Although the weather in February is generally excellent, this year we’ve been lucky with periods of settled and sunny weather in many parts of the country over the Christmas and New Year period as well,” he says.
“In the coastal Bay of Plenty we have the most sunshine hours in the North Island, and we see many tourists coming to the area for a better chance of sunshine than they’d get elsewhere.
“Whether you’re on a beach holiday, camping in national parks or on a road trip, no one likes being outside in the rain,” he says. “But there are plenty of indoor activities in most regions to keep both the adults and the kids entertained.”
Other findings in Tourism Bay of Plenty’s research include:
Favourite activity on summer holiday
• The beach (including swimming and sunbathing) – 34%
• Enjoying food and wine – 21%
• Reading – 12%
• Doing nothing – 12%
• Water sports (including waterskiing, windsurfing, yachting, fishing, boating) – 9%
• Traditional sports (including golf, cricket, hockey, walking, hiking) – 5%
• Electronic entertainment (e.g. TV, movies, computer, smartphone, tablet) – 4%
• Cultural activities (including art galleries, theatre) – 3%
• Enjoying food and wine – 21%
• Reading – 12%
• Doing nothing – 12%
• Water sports (including waterskiing, windsurfing, yachting, fishing, boating) – 9%
• Traditional sports (including golf, cricket, hockey, walking, hiking) – 5%
• Electronic entertainment (e.g. TV, movies, computer, smartphone, tablet) – 4%
• Cultural activities (including art galleries, theatre) – 3%
Favourite smell of Kiwi summer
• The beach / sea air – 32%
• A barbecue – 30%
• Freshly cut grass – 17%
• Summer flowers – 11%
• Christmas tree – 7%
• Sun tan lotion – 3%
• A barbecue – 30%
• Freshly cut grass – 17%
• Summer flowers – 11%
• Christmas tree – 7%
• Sun tan lotion – 3%
Favourite sound of Kiwi summer
• Waves on the beach – 42%
• Dawn chorus (birds) – 19%
• Running stream / river – 16%
• Cicadas – 15%
• The slap of water against a boat – 8%
• Waves on the beach – 42%
• Dawn chorus (birds) – 19%
• Running stream / river – 16%
• Cicadas – 15%
• The slap of water against a boat – 8%
NZ picked as 'World's Best Luxury Destination'
New Zealand has been named the 'World's Best Luxury Destination' for affluent Chinese travellers, by the Shanghai Travelers' Club in its 2013 Luxury Travel Awards.
Auckland International Airport was also named the World's Best Airport, Whare Kea Lodge the Best Asia-Pacific Boutique Hotel and Millbrook, the Best Asia-Pacific Golf Course.
The results follow a vote by the 3,400 Chinese members of the Shanghai Travelers' Club.
Tourism New Zealand's General Manager Asia Tony Everitt says the announcement is fantastic news as the marketing board focusses its efforts on attracting high-value Chinese visitors to the country.
"Earlier this year we announced our Premier Kiwi Partnership (PKP) programme, developed to generate greater value from the burgeoning Chinese market by targeting those travellers likely to spend more time and money on visits to New Zealand," he says.
"Through PKP and our other China marketing initiatives, we aim to change the nature of holidays taken by Chinese visitors and the contribution they make to the New Zealand economy. This award supports our belief that New Zealand can be successfully promoted in China as a premium destination."
Under PKP, Tourism New Zealand is working with selected inbound tour operators and China-based travel sellers to develop and market innovative packages offering longer-stay, higher-quality itineraries in New Zealand.
The programme supports the work already underway in the Free and Independent Traveller (FIT) market in China, and will further cement New Zealand's market position as a desirable, high-value destination.
The awards come just two months after Tourism New Zealand's Brand Ambassador influential Chinese actress Yao Chen chose to get married in Queenstown and broadcast photos of the luxury event to her around 35 million social media followers.
November 2012 international visitor arrival statistics showed that China had overtaken the United Kingdom to become New Zealand's second largest source of arrivals.
Skyline Rotorua scores gold status
Planting native trees, recycling everything from cooking oil to toner cartridges, and using livestock to keep grass trim are just some of the measures Skyline Rotorua has taken to achieve a top industry environment award.
The Rotorua visitor attraction has received the Qualmark Enviro-Gold Award after an audit late last year increased its status from Enviro-Silver - which it received in June 2011. The Enviro-Gold status was confirmed this week.
"The award is the result of a great deal of teamwork and a commitment to operating in a sustainable manner," says Alison Kirkland, Skyline Rotorua Human Resources and Quality Manager.
"All heads of department are responsible for considering and implementing initiatives for sustainable practices in their areas. It's a great achievement for Skyline Rotorua and everyone that works here."
To achieve the new status, Skyline has significantly reduced its energy consumption, purchases the most energy efficient machinery when replacements are required, and has reduced the amount of chemicals it uses on site.
Skyline's new buildings are insulated and visitors are encouraged to follow their sustainable lead by recycling their waste and to go on the nature walks to learn more about the environment.
All the food waste is collected weekly by a local pig farmer, while more than 8000 native trees and plants have been planted to date. Recycled paper is used for guest surveys and FSC paper is used for all printing purposes. The company has even changed their hand-dryers to a more energy efficient machine and a wetland has been created from storm water run-off.
"Achieving this Enviro-Gold means a great deal to us," says Ms Kirkland.
"Our locals and customers expect this level of commitment from us. We are situated on Mount Ngongotaha and we need to make sure that we are respectful to the environment and all that comes with it."
At Skyline's weekly heads of department meeting sustainability is one of the topics to ensure it remains at the forefront of their operations.
Skyline Rotorua is also a member of the Rotorua Sustainability Charter.
Skyline Rotorua General Manager, Bruce Thomasen, says it is important for all tourism operators - regardless of the nature of their business - to be seen by locals and visitors to be operating in an environmentally sustainable way.
"There are visible recycling programmes in place across Rotorua and this is a positive development for our sector. At Skyline we are committed to doing our bit as well, and the Enviro-Gold status is national recognition that we are making good progress towards that."
Qualmark Enviro-Gold is the top level in New Zealand's Qualmark Green rating for performers in responsible tourism. There are also Enviro-Silver and Enviro-Bronze levels.
Qualmark Green is an extension of New Zealand's Qualmark quality assurance scheme, a system introduced 15 years ago to help the country deliver on its 100% Pure New Zealand promise. There are now over 2150 Qualmark licence-holders throughout the country.
Air NZ up for global tourism award
The airline is one of three finalists in the Global Tourism Business category which recognises corporate success in conjunction with sustainable tourism principles and practices.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the airline has a pivotal role to play in maintaining New Zealand’s clean, green image overseas.
“It is our aim to become the world’s most environmentally sustainable airline and we have worked hard in recent years to implement a wide range of initiatives across the business to achieve this. It’s pleasing to see this commitment recognised at these globally renowned awards.
“We are seeing results too. Between 2006 and 2011, Air New Zealand achieved a 15% fuel efficiency improvement which is the equivalent of more than 140,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and we are constantly looking at ways to further enhance this efficiency,” says Luxon.
Other initiatives include a commercial partnership with the Department of Conservation to support biodiversity projects on the Great Walks network, the Air New Zealand Environment Trust which provides financial support to green projects around the country as well as a 3,000 strong internal Green Team which promotes environmental sustainability both at work and at home.
Award applications were received from 46 countries, across all seven continents. Entries were selected by an international panel of judges chaired by Costas Christ, an internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism.
Entries were assessed against a range of criteria including delivering social and economic benefits to local people and undertaking environmentally friendly operations. All finalists now undergo an on-site evaluation by an international sustainable tourism expert.
David Scowsill, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said: “Tourism for Tomorrow is built on the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit. The awards finalists reflect financially successful businesses, which balance growing demand with shrinking natural resources, and reflect the contributions of employees and destination communities.”
The Tourism for Tomorrow Award winners will be announced on 9 April, 2013 at WTTC’s annual Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. For the full list of finalists and more information, visit www.wttc.org.
Your girlfriend getaway awaits you this year
You never know when that urge to get away is going to strike, but when it does, you'll want to be prepared. Give your girlfriends a heads up that you're itching to plan a spectacular holiday and take a head count of who's in for the ultimate 2013 adventure. Whether you're planning a trip across the globe or a relaxing retreat somewhere in New Zealand, you'll be sure to recruit at least one of your close friends to join you on this special vacation.
Here are some tips on how to make your trip as memorable as possible, and some advice on why you should trust that voice inside telling you to go through with it:
Lose the guilt
Whether you're a mom of three kids or a devoted girlfriend, there's always going to be at least one excuse as to why you shouldn't go away on holiday by yourself or with friends. However, the benefits can outweigh the negative aspects, and might even lead to a happier family in the long run.
"You may think that by travelling with friends, you're taking something away from your family," Elizabeth Lombardo, a doctor and author of "A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness," told Woman's Day. "But the opposite is true. Focusing on yourself and the joy of camaraderie increases your sense of fulfillment, confidence and resiliency. You become a better wife, and if you have kids, a better mom."
Find out the right size
A trip with seven other people might be too much, and one may not be enough to make for the perfect vacation. You have to figure out what it will take for you to feel at peace and relaxed on your holiday retreat, and then work to achieve that goal. If you're the type that enjoys a fun group, four can be a good number because it avoids the feeling of being left out of conversation or activities that may require pairs.
A trip with seven other people might be too much, and one may not be enough to make for the perfect vacation. You have to figure out what it will take for you to feel at peace and relaxed on your holiday retreat, and then work to achieve that goal. If you're the type that enjoys a fun group, four can be a good number because it avoids the feeling of being left out of conversation or activities that may require pairs.
Pick a place
Narrowing down your travel options is tough, but determining what you want out of your getaway can help. Love tropical scenery and spending all of your time outdoors? Consider Maui holidays, where yoga on the beach, surf lessons and dinners watching the sunset on a restaurant terrace are all regular parts of your day.
Narrowing down your travel options is tough, but determining what you want out of your getaway can help. Love tropical scenery and spending all of your time outdoors? Consider Maui holidays, where yoga on the beach, surf lessons and dinners watching the sunset on a restaurant terrace are all regular parts of your day.
Care for more of a cultural getaway in a historic city with tons of unique shops and vintage markets? Gear up your girlfriends for a trip to the States on flights to New York, or for European flair, plan London holidays and bask in the chic allure of Europe.
Plan your ultimate girlfriend's getaway today visit www.expedia.co.nz
Plan your ultimate girlfriend's getaway today visit www.expedia.co.nz
Perfect passenger: flying etiquette 101
We've all been there: Where your two-hour plane ride to an adventuresome city suddenly feels like the longest flight of your life due to the ill-behaving travelers aboard the plane with you.
Your exciting Auckland holidays, plans to stay in Sydney hotels or even a major Euro trip to Paris is quickly transforming into a nightmare before your eyes, as babies start crying, your neighbour's snoring and the person in front of you has reclined his seat all the way back onto your knees. This is not what you signed up for.
Your exciting Auckland holidays, plans to stay in Sydney hotels or even a major Euro trip to Paris is quickly transforming into a nightmare before your eyes, as babies start crying, your neighbour's snoring and the person in front of you has reclined his seat all the way back onto your knees. This is not what you signed up for.
While you can't necessarily control the passengers around you, you can exhibit model behaviour on your own and hope that karma plays its part to protect you from experiencing a horrible flight. Here are some personality types, mishaps and unpleasant situations to watch out for and keep in mind as you board flights in the near future:
Food fights
Maybe that egg salad sandwich, sloppy cheeseburger or steamed broccoli wasn't the best snack to bring with you on the plane. One of passengers' biggest complaints about their fellow fliers is the type of food they choose to eat in such tight space. In virtually every situation, you'd be better off choosing a simple, basic meal that won't offend anyone around you - and won't lead to stomach problems for you, either. Frequent traveller James Vesper told The Wall Street Journal his typical behaviour when he sits beside a smelly or messy eater.
Maybe that egg salad sandwich, sloppy cheeseburger or steamed broccoli wasn't the best snack to bring with you on the plane. One of passengers' biggest complaints about their fellow fliers is the type of food they choose to eat in such tight space. In virtually every situation, you'd be better off choosing a simple, basic meal that won't offend anyone around you - and won't lead to stomach problems for you, either. Frequent traveller James Vesper told The Wall Street Journal his typical behaviour when he sits beside a smelly or messy eater.
"If my clothing is endangered, I'd ask him or her if they have an extra napkin," he told the news source. "Otherwise I breathe through my mouth."
Lean on me
On a typical plane where there are three seats in a row, who gets the arm rests? Some people think that whoever claims them first is the lucky winner, but others think there are better forms of courtesy to follow in this situation.
On a typical plane where there are three seats in a row, who gets the arm rests? Some people think that whoever claims them first is the lucky winner, but others think there are better forms of courtesy to follow in this situation.
"The folks in the aisle seat can lean toward the aisle, and the window-seat passenger has the window to lean on," Anne Loew, a seasoned flight attendant, told the news source. "The poor middle-seat passengers are suffering enough - they get both armrests."
Ultimately, the number one thing to remember when travelling is that everyone on the flight is in it together. Getting to the final destination safely and enjoying the ride as much as possible should be a shared goal, Scott McCartney, a travel blogger and columnist, told NPR.
"I think passengers can help each other more than they really do," McCartney told the news outlet.