Description
Castaway to be filmed on Great Barrier Island
One of the biggest TV series commissioned by the BBC in 2007 is to be filmed on Great Barrier Island off New Zealand's east coast. The new series of Castaway will feature Britons from different walks of life living in close quarters as a community.
www.bbc.co.uk/castaway
Auckland's park life just gets better
Whakanewha, with its crescent of sandy beach and Waiheke Island's only public camping ground within its borders, is Auckland's latest regional park to open to the public. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark officially opened the park on 11th February.
www.arc.govt.nz/arc/auckland-regional-parks/whakanewha
Second Narnia film to be shot in New Zealand
Prince Caspian, directed by Auckland filmmaker Andrew Adamson, will be partly filmed in New Zealand. The exact locations have not yet been revealed but filming will take place on both the North and South Islands.
The sky's the limit for Air New Zealand's wine
Air New Zealand has beat off competition from 34 airlines to win best business class cellar, most original business class cellar and best business class red at the annual Cellars in the Sky Awards, run jointly by Business Traveller and Wine and Spirit magazines.
www.businesstraveller.com
Crowded House to make a comeback
Chart-topping 1990s band Crowded House, led by Kiwi frontman Neil Finn, is re-forming to record a new album and make a world tour. New drummer Mark Hart will replace Paul Hester, who sadly died two years ago.
Something fruity
The government has declared a seasonal labour shortage in Hawkes Bay on the east coast of North Island, meaning that overseas visitors wanting to help with the harvesting of grapes and pipfruit will be allowed to apply for seasonal work permits.
www.picknz.co.nz
New Zealand back on top in the UK
New Zealand has been voted favourite destination by the readers of Wanderlust. New Zealand knocked Namibia off the top spot to be voted 'Top Country'. The awards were announced at The Times' Destinations travel show in London on 1st February.
www.wanderlust.co.uk
Hayley Westenra at UK New Zealand Tourism Awards
World-renowned classical singer Hayley Westenra performed live in London for guests at the annual UK New Zealand Tourism Awards on Waitangi Day (6th February). Discover the World scooped the top award of New Zealand travel specialist of the year.
Product Update:
Back to nature with new wildlife tour
White Island Tours has launched a new two-hour boat excursion, Nature Rush, to Whale Island - a spectacular sleeping volcano and wildlife sanctuary in the Bay of Plenty. The island is home to the iconic kiwi, blue penguins and NZ's native reptile, the tuatara. The cost is $NZ70 pp (£25 approx).
www.whiteisland.co.nz
Luxury lakeside accommodation set to open in April
The Rees-Queenstown, a stunning complex of lake-edge apartments in the heart of the Southern Lakes region, is to open in April. The complex is named after William Rees, the pioneer settler who blazed the alpine trail to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu in the 1860s.
www.therees.co.nz
Cruise news on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf
360 Discovery has launched a range of new cruises in the Hauraki Gulf, including a trip to uninhabited Motuihe Island, where participants can volunteer for ecological restoration work or take a walk to see rare native wildlife. It costs $NZ22.50 pp (£8 approx).
www.360discovery.co.nz
Ice climb a first in southern hemisphere
A new glacier centre in the town of Franz Josef, complete with a 10-metre high indoor ice-climbing wall, is set to open on 1 March. The ice wall, the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, will replicate what it would be like to climb the awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier.
www.hukawai.co.nz
Events:
Auckland Wine and Food Festival 31 March - 1 April
Tantalise your taste buds with delicious offerings that include cheeses, antipasto, continental meats, wine and beer. There will also be two full days of musical entertainment and cooking demonstrations. The $NZ20 (£7 approx) entry fee includes a tasting glass.
www.aucklandwineandfoodfestival.com
Montana National Jazz Festival 5-9 April
The longest-running jazz festival in the southern hemisphere, now in its 45th year, is a vibrant celebration of food, wine, music and jazz of all flavours, held over Easter weekend. Tickets cost from $NZ20 pp (£7 approx).
www.jazz.org.nz
Race to the Sky 7 - 8 April
Competitors will fight it out to be the fastest driver to the top of Cardrona Valley, Central Otago, climbing from 1,500 to 5,000 feet. The objective is clear: the fastest vehicle to the top of the hill wins. Spectator day passes cost $NZ40 pp (£14 approx).
www.racetothesky.com
Oyster Bay Bluff Oyster & Southland Seafood Festival 21-22 April
Thousands of seafood lovers flock to Oyster Bay to enjoy wine and seafood delicacies from in and around Southland, with the Bluff oyster being the star of the show. Entrance is $NZ25 pp (£9 approx).
www.bluffoysterfest.co.nz
Festival of Colour, Lake Wanaka 24-29 April
A colourful celebration of the arts set against the spectacular backdrop of Lake Wanaka in autumn that includes theatre, dance and music from local, national and international acts. Some events are free.
www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
Five best...Mother's Day treats
1. Champagne picnic on a peak, Queenstown
Treat mum to a leisurely champagne luncheon in the wild environs of Queenstown, amid dramatic mountain scenery, before calling on a helicopter to return you to civilization. The cost is $NZ580 pp (£200 approx).
www.flynz.co.nz
2. Sofitel, Queenstown - bathologist spa bath
The new, five-star Sofitel offers its guests access to a 'bathologist', who will whip up a heady concoction of fragrances and bubbles in your luxurious spa bath - much appreciated after a long day's skiing or trekking. Bath preparation from $NZ55 (£135 approx).
www.sofitelqueenstown.com
3. Ayrlies Gardens, Auckland
One of New Zealand's best know gardens, Ayrlies covers more than five hectares and encompasses regenerating wetland, wildflower meadows, native bush, old roses, perennial borders and an architectural succulent area. Entry is $NZ15 (£5 approx) by appointment.
www.aucklandnz.com/Gardens/SelectedGardens.aspx
4. Kauri Cliffs Spa, Northland
Mum can enjoy the luxurious new spa at Kauri Cliffs, with indulgent treatments that include seaweed or rose petal baths, hot stone massage and purifying body wraps, while dad can play golf on the world-class course overlooking the spectacular Bay of Islands. Prices start at $NZ65 pp (£23 approx) for a deep plunge soak tub.
www.kauricliffs.co.nz
5. Gourmet Tour, Hawke's Bay
A full-day gastronomic tour that starts with a visit to local food producers and ends with a tour of five to six wineries in glorious Hawke's Bay, home to some of New Zealand's best wines. $115 pp (£40 approx).
www.grapescapenz.co.nz
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