Luxury

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.

International travel authority 'Lonely Planet' has chosen New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region as one of the world’s ‘Top 10 Regions to visit in 2012’.

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.

New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown, is being painted in a different light with a new soft tourism experience that combines art and the outdoors, and gives visitors something special to take home.

A boutique luxury lodge near Queenstown, in New Zealand’s South Island, has been named as one of the hottest new hotels in the world.

While the traditional Kiwi food experience is often around casual outdoor dining, New Zealand is fast developing a reputation for fine cuisine and high-end foodie events and destinations.

Three world-renowned chefs working with first class New Zealand wine and food at one of the top 20 hideaways on earth, has proved to be an irresistible combination.

New Zealand has been named as number two of the top nine destinations for 2011 by global broadcasting network CNN – coming in just behind New York.