Northland

Hot on the heels of Rugby World Cup, and a bag full of international tourism accolades from 2011, New Zealand is set to stay in the international spotlight for 2012.

New Zealand’s luxury lodges are basking in a series of international accolades – lining up with the world’s best to demonstrate how the local luxury accommodation sector continues to punch above its weight.

Kicked into touch on home ground for the first time – in Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf Rugby World Cup fan zone – Tourism New Zealand’s giant rugby ball has broken all previous visitor records.

Auckland’s streets are teaming with Gallic and Kiwi pride in anticipation of the Rugby World Cup final as the two rugby hemispheres unite in a weekend to remember.

From New Zealand’s deep south to the far north, the inaugural Tour of New Zealand – scheduled for 14 to 21 April 2012 – is destined to put a new spin on cycling New Zealand.

It’s only four days until the seventh Rugby World Cup kicks-off in Auckland on Friday (09.09.2011), and rugby fever is kicking in all over New Zealand.

True fans believe that rugby is art, so it's no surprise to find that the game has also inspired some significant new art installations for Rugby World Cup 2011.

First there were celebrity dolphins and an accident-prone kiwi. Next a cave-dweller hermit sheep, a rather forward flightless parrot and a sand-eating penguin – and now New Zealand has another animal celebrity.

New Zealand’s luxury tourism sector has received another vote of approval from international travellers with two exclusive properties awarded top world rankings.

The ‘Robertson Promised Gift’ – a private art collection owned by billionaire New Zealand luxury lodge owners, the Robertson family – is to go on show for the first time at the newly refurbished Auckland Art Gallery.