New Zealand has been busy improving its products to ensure your clients have quality experiences, here’s a quick rundown on what’s new:

• Avoid the stress of filling out forms mid-flight when arriving internationally at any airport in Aotearoa New Zealand by digitally completing the Traveller Declaration 24 hours before your flight, find out more details here(opens in new window).
  
  

The Coromandel

• If you’re looking for Hauraki Coromandel trade ready products, RTO Destination Hauraki Coromandel’s website has you covered. Take advantage of their comprehensive filters to quickly find what’s best for your clients. Browse their products here.

• Currently, Cathedral Cove can only be accessed via water transport as the Cathedral Cove Walk Track continues to be closed through the 2023/2024 summer while the storm recovery efforts are underway to remedy landslides, track damage and erosion. For more information on the status of the track visit The Department of Conservation’s website.
  Here is a link to Hauraki Coromandel’s website with Cathedral Cove filters applied.

Tāmakimakaurau Auckland

• FourForty Mountain Bike Park(opens in new window) – Qualmark Bronze
  Is located 45 minutes east of Auckland's city centre and re-opens the 16 September 2023. Top of the line manual and electric bikes are available to suit all needs. Clients can shuttle to the top of FourForty’s mountain bike park and carve their way down on a selection of trails that suit all levels of rider. FourFourty have planted over 5000 native trees, and counting, supporting the local ecosystem, cycle tracks, and the character of the maunga (mountain). Apart from the three months over winter, the park will be open year-round.

Waikato

The Mighty Waikato has plenty of new products and award-winning accommodation ready for your pioneering clients:

• Te Karaka Lodge(opens in new window)
  Located amongst North Waikato farmland, Te Karaka Lodge features 10-rooms, an outdoor heated spa, swimming pool, and fireplace. Indulge in raw countryside vistas and fresh farm-to-table cuisine at the in-house restaurant. This luxury accommodation is set to open this spring.
  
  
• The Good Life Retreat(opens in new window) – Qualmark Silver
  Is a luxury designer Bed and Breakfast style accommodation nestled in rural Cambridge. Come and hand feed the animals, stargaze in the hot tub, or let off some steam in the barrel-styled sauna or the well-equipped gym, and top it off by popping a cork from the private wine cellar.
  
  
• Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments(opens in new window) – Qualmark Gold
  Located in the heart of Cambridge is Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments, the winner of Trip Advisor’s 2023 Best of the Best award. Offering 29 rooms, six apartments, and array of facilities, a central location and proximity to nearby boutique shops, entertainment and restaurants, the Hidden Lake Hotel has you well equipped.
  
  
• The Clements Hotel(opens in new window)
  Set to open early 2024 upon the complete renovation of the historic Masonic Hotel in central Cambridge, The Clements Hotel will feature an underground cocktail bar, nostalgic dining, and a historic tearoom.

• Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari(opens in new window)
  History has been made this month when four young male Kākāpō were released into the protected forest environment on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Learn more about the wildlife and conservative efforts of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari here(opens in new window).
  
  
• Cornerstone Alpaca Stud(opens in new window) – Qualmark Silver
  Waikato’s cuddliest experience is now offering day trips from Auckland and Hamilton. The day trips include the Cornerstone Alpaca Stud experience, a ‘Kiwi brunch’, and a meander through the Hamilton gardens to top it off.

Rotorua

• Whakarewarewa Forest Loop
  Rotorua is home to Aotearoa New Zealand’s newest ‘Great Ride’, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop(opens in new window). The launch of the 33km trail will be accompanied by the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop App, which uses a combination of media, including augmented reality and geo-location, to give riders information about local iwi (tribes), Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi and Ngāti Wahiao, as they ride. Visit Rotorua’s website(opens in new window) to find out more.

Taupō

• Huka Lodge(opens in new window)
  The iconic Huka Lodge will be closed for renovations from the 1 May – 30 November 2024 with the aim of reopening on 1 December 2024. Upon its reopening, expect floor to ceiling windows, wide doors, a new entrance, expanded dining room, a ‘feel at home bar’, wellness area including spa huts, iced dump shower, sauna, and gym. Interior designer Virginia Fisher, who modelled the initial Huka Lodge, will bring her magic to the renovations ensuring the character of the lodge is enhanced. Find more about the luxury Huka Lodge accommodation here(opens in new window).

Ruapehu

• Tongariro Alpine Crossing(opens in new window)
  New pricing is being implemented this year, with the concession process commencing on the 4 August 2023 and ending on the 30 November 2023. To culturally prepare hikers, a cultural wānanga (forum) for concessionaires and their employees will be facilitated by Ngāti Hikairo on 08 September 2023. An accompanying Community Contribution Charge of $3.00 per person will commence with the new concessions on the first of December 2023. Along the track you will find Manaaki Rangers, and later this year, six pou (pillars), with appropriate interpretation, will be installed. For more information about the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, visit The Department of Conservation’s website here(opens in new window).
  
  

Marlborough

Destination Marlborough have shared a collection of products and operators focused on conservation and sustainability here,(opens in new window) including:

• Mana Winegrowers(opens in new window)
  The five wineries of Clos Henri, Hans Herzog, Rock Ferry Wines, Te Whare Ra, and Huia Vineyards form the collective Mana Winegrowers. These winemakers embody in practice and in spirit the essence of Marlborough. To sample a taste of the Marlborough terroir, your clients will want to visit these cellar doors.
  
  
• Lochmara Lodge(opens in new window) – Qualmark Gold
  Let your clients relax on the golden sands of Lochmara Lodge or indulge at the waterfront café and restaurant. Lochmara Lodge and the Department of Conservation have teamed up to revitalise endemic fauna on Lochmara’s 11 hectares, here clients can feed wildlife and learn about how the Kākāriki (New Zealand Parakeet), Weka, Blue Penguin and other animals are thriving. If your clients prefer the underwater world, they will love Lochmara’s underwater observatory tour, one of only two in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• E-KO Tours(opens in new window)
  Combines the best five kilometres of the Queen Charlotte Track one day walk with personal dolphin swimming tours. Your clients will have the opportunity to get up close with dolphins, seals, and a range of birds including penguins.
  
  
• Wildlife Sanctuaries
  The islands of Kaipupu and Motuara are wildlife sanctuaries; the latter can be accessed via a quick one-hour cruise from Picton. Enjoy island views from the lookout at the apex of the island, and if your clients are lucky, they might catch a glimpse of one of the six Rowi Brown Kiwi which have just been released onto the island in partnership with E-KO Tours and Doc. The six kiwi will have a year to grow on Motuara Island before they are transferred to the wilderness of the West Coast. Find out more here(opens in new window).
  
  

Ōtautahi Christchurch

• Punting on the Avon(opens in new window)
  Experience the serene Christchurch botanic gardens or the towering Willows of Margaret Mahy’s Park from the water with a gentle punt down the Avon River. Christchurch Attractions(opens in new window) will be re-opening their Worcester Bridge journey for daily tours from the 13 of September 2023. However, if your clients can’t wait, Christchurch Attraction’s Antigua Boat Sheds journey is currently ready to take your clients through the Botanic Gardens in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Fiordland

• Southern Discoveries(opens in new window)
  To better connect your clients to the Milford Sound, Southern Discoveries have released a coach commentary app in eight different languages (inc. English, South Korean, simplified Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, German and French) with more to come. This app will launch on their vessels in Milford Sound as of 1 December 2024. Southern Discoveries will also be bringing back their Discover More Coach from the 1 of October 2023.