The Biggest Loser in Rotorua

After weeks of gruelling challenges, game-changing twists and record-breaking weight loss, the Biggest Loser’s final six contestants are about to face their biggest fears in New Zealand’s thermal wonderland.

The final Six

	A view from the top of Mt Tarawera
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A short flight across the Tasman and the contestants and trainers arrive at their new home on Rotorua’s Lake Rotoiti.

Recognisably known as New Zealand’s cultural heartland, its only fitting the contestants are greeted with a traditional Maori welcome or Powhiri.

Sam describes the welcome as "powerful" and Sean was just as enthralled and rated it as one of his favourite New Zealand experiences. "This experience was very special and I will hold it in my heart for a very long time," he says.

Over the coming week in Rotorua the contestants will be pushed to their limits both mentally and physically by facing personal challenges that they feared they’d never do. "This has opened a new thrilling chapter of my life," Tiffany says.

Make sure you’re watching to find out whether the contestants conquered their fears on Australia’s Network 10, week days at 7.00pm and Sunday 6.30pm.

Watch this space for behind the scenes photos, links to experiences the contestants try, their thoughts on New Zealand, and then start planning your own life changing experience in New Zealand.

Tuesday 7th April highlights

A view into the magnicifcent crater of Mt Tarawera
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A series of gates were placed along the route to symbolize each week of contestants weight loss. The arrival at the summit was not only the end of the reflection hike but an end to the restraints of the past. An emotionally charged experience the contestants realized they would no longer be restricted by the weight that had held them back for so long.

For information on how you can experience the exhilaration of climbing this majestic volcano and sliding into its crater, check out www.mt-tarawera.co.nz

Wednesday 8 April Highlights

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But for Meaghan and Julie, they had to discover another type of warrior within. To face a heli-swing off the top of Mt Tarawera! They both needed to take a leap of faith as they ran off the lip of the volcano to dangle 30 metres below a helicopter. Swinging under the chopper, Meaghan rates the heli-swing as her favourite New Zealand experience. "Awesome," she said. "I’ve never done anything like that before and nor will I ever get the chance again."

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For your own scenic heli-flight over Mt Tarawera and the wider Rotorua region, check out www.helipro.co.nz

Thursday 9 April Highlights

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The day was not over for two of the contestants however. It was time for Sam and Tiffany to face their ultimate fear. For Sam, this was white water rafting over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world (7 metres), the Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River.

Meanwhile Tiffany was gearing up to take a leap of faith out of plane over the beautiful Lake Taupo region. For Tiffany this was a chance to prove she can do anything on her own. This was a chance for Tiffany to find herself and she now describes the sky dive as having "opened a new thrilling chapter of my life."

For more information on the how you can follow in the footsteps of Sam and Tiffany check out www.raftabout.co.nz and www.taupotandemskydiving.com.

Friday 10 April

The contestants’ time in New Zealand is coming to an end but that doesn’t mean the challenges stop. Their final experience? The Super Challenge.

The Super Challenge course runs alongside the Waikato River and past the powerful Huka Falls before a ‘fork in the road’ is thrown upon the contestants. To get to the kayak leg they must bungy jump down to the river. After the challenges of the week most of the contestants don’t hesitate, but this task is the undoing of Meaghan, who just can’t force herself to take that plunge. As a result Meaghan is eliminated from the race.

Sean proves himself to be an athletic warrior and wins the Super Challenge.

The return to Australia is the beginning of a new life for the contestants. Their life-changing experience in New Zealand provided a catalyst for a new way to approach life. But it’s not the end of their New Zealand experience for good - each one of them said they’d return to share their passion for the country with their friends and family. Sam said she’d bring Matt and a "few friends" to experience "Auckland all the way to Wellington and see every little bit of beauty". Julie can’t wait to return home and start planning her next holiday with Phil "’cos it’s going to be travelling NZ!" Meaghan wants to bring her whole family - "all nine of them!"

For more information on any of the above activities visit:
www.taupobungy.co.nz, www.hukafalls.com, and www.laketauponz.com

You too can experience the power of a Powhiri (Maori welcome), the adventure of white water rafting, indulge in luxury accommodation and rejuvenate through pristine native forests. Start planning your New Zealand holiday right here on www.newzealand.com.

Rotorua

Geyser Flat at Whakarewarewa is one of the best geyser field left in the world.

When explaining the appeal of their region, the people of Rotorua like to talk of five spirits. You can feel the spirit of the earth, as it rumbles beneath your feet and escapes, hissing, through fumaroles and geysers. You can witness the spirit of Maori culture, with authentic village and performance experiences. With a soak in a natural hot spring or a relaxing massage, you can rejuvenate your spirit. Or free your spirit with outdoor adventures - trout fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, swimming, hiking and mountain biking. And if it's excitement you crave, you can challenge your spirit with adrenalin-charged extreme activities such as sky-diving, jet boating and zorbing.

Apart from its surprising crater, mountain and lake landscape, Rotorua is memorable for striking Tudor-style architecture and beautiful public parks. The farmland around city is some of the most fertile in New Zealand. Watching a sheep show or staying on a working farm is a great way to get a different view of the region.