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Product Update - June 2012
Happy first month of the New Zealand winter! It’s true the temperature is dropping, but the sun is still shining, our ski fields are primed and we just can’t wait to get stuck into some big, elegant red wines from across our wine growing regions, coupled with excellent winter fare. We’ve got some exciting new products in this month’s update, so read on. If there’s a type of activity or product you’d like to see more of in this section, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line and let us know.
NATIONAL
Hertz Car Rental
Hertz New Zealand has introduced a new mobile Wi-Fi rental service, enabling rental customers to remain connected while travelling throughout New Zealand. In a first for the New Zealand car rental industry, Hertz has partnered with local technology company iDataroam (NZ) Ltd and now offers portable mobile Wi-Fi units at its international airport locations in AKL, WLG, CHC and ZQN, offering nationwide coverage. Available from NZ$12.95 + GST per day, the new 3G portable units also will reduce global roaming data charges by up to 90%, while cutting by up to half the daily charges which apply for internet access in hotel rooms. Telephone calling costs also can be slashed by using Skype through the mobile Wi-Fi connection, and applications such as Facebook or online news can be accessed without huge data charges. The new battery-powered Wi-Fi units offer up to five hours of mobile usage, fast speeds and a daily data limit of 150mb. They can be recharged from a standard power outlet or in a car while travelling. As well, users of the units can connect up to five devices simultaneously - mobile phones, tablets, laptops and more. This enables users to easily share access to the mobile Wi-Fi unit with travel companions.
NORTHLAND
Museum Association
The Northland Museum Association has launched a Northland Heritage Passport (pictured left) that includes 20 Northland museums. The passport is available as a brochure and will be downloadable from participating museum websites, northlandnz.com and other national sites. Visitors carrying the brochure receive 20% discount at participating museums including the Dargaville Museum, Kauri Museum, Clapham's Clocks, Pete's Museum, Waipu Museum, Russell Museum and Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
AUCKLAND
GreatSights - Waitomo and Hobbiton Experience ex Auckland
GreatSights and Hobbiton Movie Set Tours have joined forces to bring your clients a day trip to Hobbiton from Auckland.
En route, visit Waitomo and enjoy a guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Upon arrival in Rotorua your clients will transfer onto the Hobbiton Movie Set coach tour. They will enjoy a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to the picturesque 1,250 acre farm near Matamata where scenes from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed. Learn how this beautiful farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and many other structures from the movies. Upon completion of the tour you will be transferred to Matamata where you will enjoy some free time before boarding the GreatSights coach and return to Auckland.
www.greatsights.co.nz
www.hobbitontours.com
ROTORUA
Mercure hotel for Rotorua
Rotorua now has its first Mercure-branded hotel. The former All Seasons property has become the Mercure Rotorua, complete with an upgrade of 38 accommodation rooms, including one-bedroom, classic and family suites. Situated right by Lake Rotorua, the hotel features an outside heated swimming pool and separate heated spa pool, a barbeque area and private car parking. The Mercure Rotorua, at 131 Lake Road, Koutu, is a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from the CBD.
KAIKOURA
Kaikoura Boutique Hotel - NEW product
Kaikoura Boutique Hotel is Kaikoura's newest accommodation option offering guests luxury accommodation on Kaikoura's waterfront, close to all tourist activities, shopping, cafes and restaurants. Room Types include:
Historic Waterfront Rooms: Upstairs in the historic hotel are five brand new, lavish king-bed rooms with marvelous museums.
Courtyard Rooms: Across the courtyard from the historic hotel are four luxurious designer rooms with queen-beds and angled sea view.
Courtyard Standard Rooms: Off the courtyard behind the historic hotel are our three cute, contemporary rooms with queen-beds offering peninsula views.
www.kaikouraboutiquehotel.co.nz
QUEENSTOWN
The Kiwi Birdlife Park
Private Tours at The Kiwi Birdlife Park offer an unforgettable experience in getting up close and personal with the wildlife. Guests spend up to two hours with a qualified keeper who takes visitors behind the scenes and tailors the tour specifically to individual interests. The experience includes a private kiwi feeding, meeting a tuatara face-to-face, feeding kea, and other unparalleled access to wildlife.
Guided Walks New Zealand
Guided Nature Walks and Heli Tours have launched a new heli snowshoeing tour which offers the chance to experience the serenity of Queenstown’s spectacular back country. Guests are picked up from their accommodation and flown to the mountains where they don a pair of high-tech snowshoes to explore the snow covered wilderness with an expert guide.
