Description
News:
Wellywood strikes again
Hollywood film director, James Cameron, has announced plans to shoot a substantial part of his next film, Avatar, in New Zealand. Peter Jackson's Weta Digital will provide special effects for the $US200m (£102m approx) science-fiction fantasy epic set on a remote planet.
Sea for yourself how clean
Pollution tests carried out by Danish scientists show the water close to Lyttelton's harbour, just 15 minutes' drive from Christchurch, is among the least polluted in the world. The only location less polluted is off the coast of Greenland, where there are no humans for thousands of kilometres.
Mammal myth dispelled
Paleontologists have discovered mammal bones on South Island, disproving the long-held belief that New Zealand had only birds and reptiles - but no mammals - when it broke away from Gondwanaland some 82 million years ago. The bones are believed to have belonged to a small mammal about the size of a mouse, thought to have lived 16 to 19 million years ago.
Product Update:
World-class golf resort opens spa to match
The luxurious Kauri Cliffs, one of the world's top golf resorts located in Northland, has opened a new spa. Treatments include seaweed or rose petal baths, hot stone massage and purifying or energising body wraps. Prices start at $NZ65 (£23 approx) for a deep plunge soak tub.
www.kauricliffs.co.nz
Make tracks on new Abel Tasman Maori Experience
Abel Tasman Maori Uncut is a new kayaking and guided walking trip with an insight to Maori myth and legend, including the fascinating story behind the famous Split Apple Rock - a prominent sphere of rock sliced almost perfectly in two. Prices from $NZ80 (£29 approx).
www.seakayak.co.nz
Revel in luxury at Rahimoana
Eagle's Nest, an exclusive collection of stylish villas in the untouched Bay of Islands, has a new luxury villa for 2007. Rahimoana comes complete with its own Porsche, resident chef, state-of-the-art gymnasium, infra-red sauna, surround sound home theatre and high technology office, all for a cool price tag of $NZ37,000 (£13,000 approx) per night, which also includes a supply of the best Kiwi wine and French champagne.
www.eaglesnest.co.nz
Events:
Great New Zealand Trek - 24 Feb to 3 Mar 07
The second section of a 12-stage walk, from Hokianga Harbour 200 kms south to Pouto Point in the North Island, the trek is New Zealand's most ambitious outdoor event, taking an army of trekkers the length of the country. Participants can travel by bike, horse or on foot. It costs $NZ1,100 (£390 approx) to walk. Visit the website for registration details.
www.greatnewzealandtrek.com
Great Long Lunch - 5 Mar 07
A table that stretches for more than 200 metres and seats 700 guests will be set up in Napier's stunning Marine Parade Gardens on 5th March. Tickets cost $NZ70 (£25 approx).
www.greatlonglunch.co.nz
Auckland Festival AK07 - 9 to 25 Mar 07
Acclaimed French pyrotechnicians, Groupe F, known for lighting up the Eiffel Tower and the Athens Olympic Games, will open a vibrant programme of local and international theatre, dance, cabaret, music and visual arts. BonaNZa - top performers from New Zealand's best orchestras will also play. Tickets are available from $NZ75 (£27 approx).
www.aucklandfestival.co.nz
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival - 10 Mar 07
Steamed fish eyes, duck tongues and garlic ice cream - plus several new dishes for 2007, including deep fried or toffee grasshoppers, crickets, giant bugs and beetles - will be served up at this festival on the west coast of the South Island. 20 music acts are also booked to play. Tickets cost $NZ25 (approx £10).
www.wildfoods.co.nz
Five Best...Kiwi walking trails to work off the festive pounds
1. Dusky Track, Fiordland
For experienced trekkers with a high level of fitness, The Dusky Track is Fiordland's back-country at its most rugged and wild. Highlights include Lake Hauroko - the deepest in NZ - vast granite outcrops and spectacular views of Dusky Sound.
www.nzwalk.com/dusky-track
2. Heaphy Track, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson
World-renowned for its beauty and diversity, at over 77 km the Heaphy Track is the longest of the Department of Conservation's Great Walks. It passes through a range of dramatic landscapes in Kahurangi National park at the top of the South Island.
www.kahurangiwalks.co.nz
3. Banks Peninsula Track, Akaroa, near Christchurch
Beginning in the historic seaside village of Akaroa, the Banks Peninsula Track takes in 35 km of breathtaking volcanic coastline, native bush, waterfalls and sandy beaches. The walk was the country's first 'private walking track' - a unique collection of 25 hidden trails that explore high country stations and remote areas, usually run by farming families.
www.bankstrack.co.nz
5. Marlborough Wine Walk, Marlborough
This scenic wine walk is a leisurely exploration of New Zealand's premier wine-growing region, where participants stroll from cellar door to cellar door, learning the intricacies of the wine making process along the way.
www.southernwilderness.com/wilderness/wilderness_winewalk
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