• Fine Art Tours NZ – QM Gold 
  Offers walking tours in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin with a focus on art, heritage, culture, food & wine and customised tours. More info(opens in new window). 

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

• Wētā Workshop Unleashed - QM Gold 
  Now offers audio translations and subtitles through their app, and their guide, Jeff, is bilingual (English and Mandarin and learning Hindi). Daily Guided Mandarin tours will operate from December 1st onwards, and daily Hands-on Workshop, which combines a workshop and a tour, from November 1st onwards. More info(opens in new window).

• The Abstract Hotel 
  Developed by the Templeton Group, will open on 1 December 2023. A new 11-storey, 290-bed hotel on Karangahape Road in central Auckland, is based on a New York-style boutique hotel and features a winter garden, restaurant, and gym. More info(opens in new window). 

Waiheke Island

There are three new ferry services coming on board this summer:

• Fullers 360 – QM Gold  
  Have announced a bookable ferry service with guaranteed seating, running twice a day to and from the island. This service runs separately from their general passenger service. More info(opens in new window). 

• Island Direct 
  Is a new family-owned business launching mid-November, between downtown Auckland and Matiatia Wharf in Waiheke, making up to 18 crossings a day on a 50-passenger vessel. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Sealink 
  Are now running a daily car and passenger service from Hamer Street, Wynard Quarter Auckland to Waiheke. More info(opens in new window).

Hauraki Coromandel 

• Northern Coromandel Department of Conservation (DOC) Campsites 
  Are now bookable for summer stays. Visitor numbers have been reduced since last summer, so book in early to secure your clients a space. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Cathedral Cove 
  DOC (The Department of Conservation) has advised that the site is unsafe due to erosion, landfall and rockfall, having three rockfalls within the arch this last month. Rangers will be deployed around Cathedral Cove for the summer to educate visitors about risks and the closure of the walkway. There is signage at boat ramps and the beach, and Ngāti Hei lifted the rāhui (restriction of access), due to Cyclone Gabrielle, on the area in October. More info(opens in new window).

Hamilton Waikato 

• Hamilton Gardens – QM Gold 
  Will be trade ready and moving to paid entry from mid 2024. More info(opens in new window).  
   
• MADE 
  Hamilton’s newest marketplace opens 4th November. Featuring entertainment, retail therapy, bars and eateries and more, this destination will provide a feast of experiences for your clients. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours Venture Beyond the Door – QM Gold 
  Previously, visitors of Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours couldn’t enter a Hobbit home but starting 1st December that’s going to change. With the Beyond the Door Tour, your clients will get an insider experience as they explore the interior of a Hobbit hole. More info(opens in new window).

Rotorua 

• Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua – QM Gold 
  There are some exciting new additions to Secret Spot, including cold plunge tubs and a new walking map with three short walks ranging from 20-60 minutes that take you beneath giant Redwood groves, past bubbling mud pools, and give you panoramic views of the city. These walks are family and dog friendly. More info(opens in new window). 

Taupō 

• Craters Mountain Bike Park 
  Has reopened to the public after months of work to restore the area due to damage from Cyclone Gabrielle. More info(opens in new window). 

Ruapehu 

• Tongariro Alpine Crossing 
  As of 3rd October, Aotearoa New Zealand’s most popular one day walk has a booking system. Make sure to view concession requirements on The Department of Conservation’s website to keep your clients happy and on track. Booking info here(opens in new window). Sustainable visitor management info(opens in new window).
  

Wellington 

• SIXT 
  Vehicle rental firm SIXT’s newest in-terminal branch has opened at Wellington Airport. 

Nelson Tasman 

• Falcon Brae Villa – QM Endorsed 
  Luxury Lodge’s Falcon Brae Villa is an exclusive use luxury villa with 360° views, two master suites and one junior suite. The Falcon Brae Villa sleeps up to nine guests and offers an array of amenities including: spa, sunken bar, grand piano, pool, multiple dining areas. This architectural marvel is nestled between the top of the South Island's three National Parks: Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Park. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Eleven Owen River Lodge – QM Gold 
  Eleven, has acquired its 13th lodge in the Nelson Tasman Region. With crystal clear waters and trophy brown trout, this award-winning lodge is a bucket-list destination for angling enthusiasts. More info(opens in new window).

Kaikōura 

• EcoZip Adventures 
  Will have five new ziplines totaling over 2.2km operating in Kaikōura early December 2023. More info(opens in new window).

West Coast

• The Pike29 Memorial Track 
  Is a dual mountain bike and walking track opening on 17 February 2024. Your clients will enjoy walking among lush forests for either 3-5 or 4-8 hours depending on their start point. More info(opens in new window). 

Christchurch 

• Otira Gorge Closure 
  The Otira Gorge will be closed for asphalt resurfacing during the Monday – Friday periods 4 – 8 and 11 – 15 of December from 10am - 6pm. This closure affects the connection between Christchurch and the West Coast. Clients can take the scenic TranzAlpine Express to Greymouth(opens in new window) along the same route or take the Lewis Pass Road increasing the travel time by 53 minutes to a total of 4 hours and 8 mins. More info(opens in new window)

Queenstown 

• Nomad Safaris – QM Gold 
  4WD tour operator Nomad Safaris has invested in a fully electric Yutong 25-seater bus, a first for Queenstown and New Zealand in the adventure tourism off-road sector. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Altitude Tours Full Day Food & Wine Tour 
  Have your clients travel into the heart of Central Otago, with a private wine tasting and barrel room tour at each location including Cromwell, Bannockburn and Gibson Valley. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Glenorchy & Paradise Explorer and Dart River Adventures 
  Your clients will tour from Queenstown to Paradise with accompanied host commentary and morning tea before jumping on a Dart River Adventures jet boat to explore Mount Aspiring National Park for 2 hours. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• The Comissioned Experience 
  Brought to you by the collaboration between Glacier Southern Lakes and Romer Gallery, The Comissioned Experience takes you on an exclusive heli-photography expedition with award-winning artist Stephan Romer to capture scenic shots of your client’s choosing. Clients will take home a personalised commission work from their trip. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Lylo Queenstown 
  Hosts a range of accommodation options including family, queen and twin ensuite rooms with balconies, and group and individual pod rooms. Clients can head upstairs to Miss Lucy’s to partake in morning yoga, games, and movie night, and when they’re ready to head out, Lylo’s central location means all of Queenstown is only a step away. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Soda 
  Treat your clients to elevated lakefront mountain views and Mediterranean inspired cuisine at Queenstown's newest restaurant. Your clients can indulge in a wide variety of drinks at the bar or dine al fresco. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• Alpine Wine Tours - Wine, Beer & Gin Tour 
  Your clients can sit back and relax with a cruise in a Mercedes Sprinter in between enjoying a spirit tasting at the Gin Garden hosted by Broken Heart Spirits, a wine tasting in the ‘Valley of the Vines’ at Kinross, and a beer tasting at Queenstown’s oldest hospitality business, Cargo at Gantley’s. More info(opens in new window). 
   
• The Church Cellar Door and Cafe 
  Book your clients a wine tasting in the heart of the Gibbston Valley. Tours of the local Shannagolden vineyard are also available upon request. More info(opens in new window). 

Wānaka

• Edgewater Wānaka - QM Gold 
  Around 30 rooms, across all room types, have been under refurbishment since April 2023. They will open to guests from December 2023 as Premium Rooms. Book your clients a superior stay. More info(opens in new window).