This month, read about a new feast fit for Hobbits, an exciting new helicopter/jetboat package in Fiordland, Air New Zealand’s luxurious new lounge and a smartphone app by SkyCity.
Air New Zealand has unveiled its new flagship international lounge at Auckland International Airport. At more than 2,000 square metres, it can seat more than 375 travellers. There is a business zone with tables with electronic charging, Wi-Fi and printing facilities, a kids' area, a dining area with meals are cooked to order and a bar offering barista coffee as well as New Zealand wines and cocktails.
www.airnewzealand.co.nz/international-lounge-information
Five-star Park Hyatt planned for Wynard Quarter
A five-star luxury hotel in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter has been granted resource consent. The hotel, to be known as the Park Hyatt Auckland and managed by the Hyatt Group, will be located on Halsey Street, looking out on the Viaduct Harbour. The seven-storey hotel will have a total floor area of 29,000 square metres with 195 rooms, a ballroom and business centre, entertainment facilities including a private dining room/function space, and a gym/health centre and day spa.
SKYCITY Auckland – new smartphone app
SKYCITY has just launched a new smartphone app, which allows visitors to the Sky Tower to take part in an interactive, self-guided experience. STQRY can be downloaded at no cost via the Sky Tower’s free wifi service and allows visitors to scan QR codes throughout the tower’s main observation level to learn more about popular attractions across the city.
The STQRY app can be downloaded
here. (Once downloaded select the ‘Sky Tower’ box in the app.)
WAIKATO
Hobbiton™ Movie Set – new menu for Tour/Meal bookings
From 1 November 2015 the recently trialled Marquee Festive Feast will be offered to FITs and groups from 11am - 3pm daily. The specially designed menu offers a wider range than Hobbiton™ Movie Set’s traditional menus and will be ready for your client’s arrival. The themed buffet table set up in the middle of the marquee is replenished frequently to ensure all guests visiting the marquee receive fresh Hobbit fare.
ROTORUA
Jet Park Hotel Rotorua – new hotel
Jet Park Airport Hotel & Conference Centre will open a property in Rotorua early November 2015. The 63-room Jet Park Hotel Rotorua will offer a range of room types suitable to both corporate and leisure travellers, full breakfast, free wifi, a swimming pool, spa baths, gym, bike storage and wash and a meeting room.
WELLINGTON
Greenmantle Estate – Stay 3/Pay 2 deal
Greenmantle Estate on the Kapiti Coast near Wellington is the only luxury lodge on the west coast of the lower North Island. Partnering with nearby Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club and the Royal Wellington Golf Club, Greenmantle Estates is offering a “Stay 3/Pay 2” deal in 2015/16.
Weta Workshop - new product
Let Weta Workshop take your clients on a unique, personal tour with one of their talented Weta Workshop Technicians and spoil them with an exclusive peek behind-the-scenes of Wellington’s movie making precinct.Guests will get especially close to fi lm props, costumes and armour, and have the opportunity to learn the processes Weta Workshop and Park Road Post Production use to bring a director’s vision come to life.
Download the rates sheet (1.1MB).
NELSON TASMAN
Kaiteriteri Kayaks – new product
Kaiteriteri Kayaks have introduced stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) tours in the Abel Tasman National Park. Kaiteriteri Kayak is owned by Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle and is the first company to offer guided SUP tours through the park’s lagoons and bays. Lunch is included; children must be 12 years and up.
Woollaston Estates – new name
Mahana Estates, formerly known as Woollaston Estates, is an organic vineyard and winery located in the Nelson region. The new website also features a booking function for luxury accommodation Mahana Villa.
CHRISTCHURCH
Flying South launched at Christchurch Airport
Flying South theatre, event space and design store has recently opened at Christchurch Airport. The theatre seats 54 people and is available for hire to businesses or small conferences. When not being used by groups, the theatre will offer a short film promoting the scenery of the South Island.
QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown Water Taxis – new boat added to fleet
Queenstown Water Taxis has added a new boat to its fleet, increasing the number of passengers it can transport across Lake Wakatipu. The 11-metre luxury water taxi can carry up to 40 passengers. There’s also room for twice as many bikes or golf clubs, while the grouped seating ensures passengers are more social and can fully utilise the guided service for private charters and tours.
Real Journeys – Kids Go Free promotion
This promotion entitles two children (up to 18 years old) to travel free with a full fare paying adult on the following trips:
• TSS Earnslaw Cruises
• Walter Peak Farm Tours
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves
• Milford Sound Nature Cruises
• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruises
• Stewart Island Ferry Services
The promotion will run from 26 September – 11 October 2015.
AccorHotels Queenstown – refurbishments
Novotel Queenstown will be enhancing its guest experience with an extensive room refurbishment to take place from April – August 2016. Mercure Queenstown Resort has recently completed a full refurbishment of its Lake View rooms and public areas.
LAKE WANAKA
Cardrona Bike Park – 2016 opening dates
Chairlift-accessed downhill and cross-country mountain biking. Open for the 2016 season from 27 December to the end of January, and then from February until Easter weekend open Fridays – Sundays.
Minaret Station – upgrade
Upgrades of Minaret Station’s tented accommodation to more spacious and luxurious chalets has now been completed. The newly renovated chalets offer more than double the previous floor space.
FIORDLAND
Real Journeys – changes to cancellation policy on Overnight Cruises in Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound
Cancellations five days or less from date of departure or 'no show' will receive a 100% cancellation fee. Bookings made within five days of travel will be provided with a 24-hour "grace period" without cancellation fees, however after this period full cancellation fees apply.
Fiordland Discovery – new product
The natural wonders of Milford Sound can be enjoyed at dawn, dusk or underneath the stars on the luxury overnight boat Fiordland Jewel, a modern nine-berth vessel, guided by experienced and knowledgeable locals. Maximum 20 passengers in nine luxurious cabins with ensuite facilities. Also on board: kayaks, submarine drone, hot tub and food and wine.
SOUTHLAND
Bill Richardson Transport World – opening soon
Reputedly the largest private collection of its type in the world, Bill Richardson Transport World in Invercargill features more than 450 vehicles, including a significant Henry Ford collection and a vast array of motoring memorabilia. It is currently undergoing major redevelopment and will open late 2015.
Welcome Rock Trails – new package
Opened in December 2014, Welcome Rock Trails offers half- and full-day guided walks on a mountain bike and hiking trail on private land. Their new package includes guided one-day or overnight hiking packages from Queenstown and Te Anau (transport can be included if required).
Southern Lakes Helicopters/Hump Ridge Jet – new product
With the Explore Fiordland Package, your clients will depart from Te-Anau Lakefront Helipad and fly over geological marvel Mt Titiroa. Upon arriving at Teal Bay at the Southern end of Lake Hauroko they will transfer to jetboat for an exhilarating ride down the untamed Wairaurahiri River. A fabulous bush style BBQ lunch is included. For more info and to book, go to either
Southern Lakes Helicopters or
Hump Ridge Jet.