To promote our current campaign "The New Zealand Life Back Promise - give us 9 days and we'll give you your life back", Tourism New Zealand, with support from Air New Zealand, bought six frontline travel sellers to New Zealand.

The aim was to increase their knowledge and confidence in selling and promoting New Zealand by giving them unique and varied experiences.

The group started their familiarisation in Auckland, where they picked up rental vehicles. Their first experience was the Auckland Bridge Climb where they walked over the iconic harbour bridge and enjoyed 360º views of the Hauraki Gulf, Viaduct Harbour and cityscapes.

Driving up to Northland, they stopped at the arts and crafts town at Matakana and visited Ascension Vineyard for lunch. Once in Northland, the group experienced the unique Footprints Waipoua experience where local Maori guides take visitors on a guided walk through the giant Kauri forests and introduce their cultural and spiritual relationships with the forest.

Other unique experiences were the Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Fullers Bay of Islands, an evening cultural show at the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a tour of the tiny town of Russell which was the first Capital City of New Zealand, and a Salt Air flight up to Cape Reinga (the top of New Zealand).

The trip ended back in Auckland with a trip to the picturesque Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Just an hour by ferry from Auckland, Waiheke Island is a blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards and olive groves and is populated by many artists.