Penguin Paradise New Zealand
Enjoy a guest blog from our NZ Product Manager, Lindi, as she shares the story of a rare penguin adventure on the South Island.
If there’s one thing here in the DTW office that often has us enthralled and amazed it’s the joy of watching those unique members of family Spheniscidae; those aquatic, large, flightless inhabitants of the seabird kingdom, found almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere ..... aka the penguin.
As a company with a real focus on nature and wildlife around the globe, in places as diverse as Antarctica, New Zealand and Iceland, we are lucky to be able to share this collective passion with our clients. Our New Zealand Nature Tour was the perfect starting point for developing an "exclusive" South Island penguin experience holiday for our client, Brenda Hotham. Brenda’s passion for recording every species of penguin had previously led her to Antarctica in 2004 where she was able to view and photograph 7 of the species.
In conjunction with our key partner in New Zealand, Shirley Russ of Wild Earth Travel, we meticulously planned not just a holiday but an experience that Brenda would never forget. In all, Brenda spent 19 days on the South Island, and with no rental car involved, the logistics of travelling around were not that easy! In spite of earthquake aftershocks in Christchurch and the hustle and bustle of the Rugby World Cup her dream became a reality in October last year. Her mission: to find and record her experiences with the Fiordland Crested, Little Penguin and White-flippered penguin.
Yellow-eyed penguins were also soon to be on the penguin “radar” as Brenda has been a firm supporter of the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust in Dunedin for many years. We arranged for her to spend a day here visiting “Penguin Place” where she was able to see both Yellow-Eyed penguins and Little Penguins.
The highlight of the holiday proved to be a stay at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge and a trip out to see Fiordland Crested penguins. “We were so fortunate in the number of penguins we saw and their closeness, including one that blocked our path on the way back along the track and refused to move!”
One of the most stunning (and often overlooked) areas of the South Island and high on my list of the top 5 areas to visit in New Zealand, is Catlins Forest Park. We planned a 3 night stay for Brenda here at Mohua Park. She reported that: “the last day was magical. We left at 4.55am to go to Nugget Point where we saw elephant seals swimming below us. We had our breakfast at a picnic table overlooking the bay and then went for a walk at Cannibal Bay, a beautiful stretch of “untouched” sand occupied by two sealions and some variable oystercatchers. We had lunch at Papatowi and then stopped at other places for bird watching. Sadly the next day I started my return journey to the UK”.
In Brenda’s own words “I stayed in 9 different hotels/motels, went on 6 Intercity coaches, the Tranz Scenic Railway and the Akaroa shuttle and needed 4 taxis. I have now seen and photographed all species/subspecies of penguin. The holiday was awesome and I cannot thank everybody enough who helped to make it such a success”.
Posted on April 11, 2012 in activity , Nature , Photography , Travel , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Aurora over Christchurch
This season has been extraordinary for northern lights sightings, a behaviour likely to continue in late 2012 and into 2013 as the period of solar max continues to produce intense solar flares.
Northern lights over Iceland © RTH Sigurdsson
So what of the more elusive but no less impressive southern lights, or aurora australis? As sun spots and solar storms do their thing, surely this means a more active season down south too.
Well, as a recent image taken by student Koen Broekema on the outskirts of Christchurch show, this could very much be the case, with auroral activity displaying further north than usual.
Occuring as they do in the austral winter months over the polar region, sightings of the southern lights are usually reserved for Antarctic scientists and penguins. Unlike its northern counterpart, the southern auroral zone occurs in an area virtually uninhabited by humans. While it is possible to see the aurora australis from the southern tips of South America, Australia and New Zealand, displays are infrequent. Though, perhaps this will not be the case in 2012.
If you are planning to visit NZ between now and September, remember to allow some time for sky-gazing - you may be lucky enough to witness the magical aurora.
I've always said that New Zealand has it all!
Posted on March 20, 2012 in Nature , Photography , Science , Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Christchurch reborn and revisited
Lindi, our New Zealand Product Manager, updates us on Christchurch one year on.
As we approach the first Anniversary of the tragic earthquake that so decimated the central city of Christchurch it feels appropriate to report that the “new” Christchurch is a city slowly coming to life amidst a major rebuild and redesign project.
I was there in December last year, with my son, Jack, and we spent time in the Port Hills staying with friends. For many visitors, unless you are in the city centre or eastern suburbs, there is no obvious evidence of damage. We took a bus into the city to gauge for ourselves the extent of earthquake damage and walked to Cashel Street Mall, filled with a range of brightly coloured shipping containers housing many small boutique shops and cafes. This small shopping enclave is a key part of the “RE:Start” rebuilding development project – and I can report there was a real buzz about the place, a sense of community and overwhelming support which was very humbling. It was close to Christmas so there was a definite atmosphere of hope and new beginning - even the huge cranes overhead were decked out in decorations and tinsel!
There are clear signs already that the new Christchurch will be born of inspiration and courage and the ideas, contributions and resolute spirit of not just its own community but of all New Zealanders. The Kiwis are a people whose soul and spirit captures you completely and this is never more apparent than in the extraordinary collaboration to rebuild this incredible city.
Whilst visitor attractions are not as plentiful as they were there are still a number of iconic and cultural things to see and do, including punting on the Avon, a visit to the Botanical Gardens and Hagley Park or to the Canterbury Museum. On the outskirts of the city, near the airport, the International Antarctic Centre is still very much open for business and is well worth a visit.
As a main gateway to the South Island, many of our itineraries feature Christchurch at the beginning or end of your holiday, including our 21 day Pure and Simple self-drive tour.
So whilst planning your New Zealand holiday spare a little time for Christchurch and Canterbury if you can. Even if you choose to briefly pass through the city en route to somewhere else the Canterbury region has some wonderful attractions, from incredible whale watching experiences in Kaikoura, to sheer relaxation in the energising thermal pools at Hanmer Springs, or (my personal favourite) encountering Hector’s dolphins, one of the world’s rarest, on a nature cruise in the Akaroa harbour. As an added bonus you can take the TranzAlpine train across to Greymouth on the west coast, regarded by many (including us) as one of the best in the world where you can enjoy some epic scenery.
As the headline on the Stuff NZ website says: “United we stand behind Canterbury”.
Posted on February 21, 2012 in Culture , Current Affairs , Historic , Kiwi , museums/galleries , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Waitangi Day Inspiration
As we celebrate Waitangi Day in the office - it's still 6 February in the UK - with a slice of makeshift pavlova (now established as 100% Pure Kiwi) we got to talking about visiting the site where this historic treaty between the Maori chiefs and the British was signed in 1840. As our esteemed Product Manager, Lindi commented, "it is simply stunning and gives me goose bumps every time I visit".
With such a heartfelt recommendation, Waitangi National Reserve surely has to be given serious consideration as you compile a 'must-do' list for your visit to the 'land of the long white cloud'.
Located in the beautiful Bay of Islands in Northland, Waitangi is New Zealand’s most significant historical site. The Treaty House itself, which is one of the country's oldest historic homes, acts as a museum and visitor centre documenting the events that have helped to shape modern New Zealand.
The 506 hectare reserve also houses the Whare Runanga, a Maori meeting house and Ngatokimatawhaorua, the 100ft long war canoe. You can also take a walk around the extensive grounds including the heritage gardens and mangrove boardwalk followed by a refreshment stop at one of the two onsite cafes serving everything from coffee and light snacks to award-winning local dining.
All in all, Waitangi Treaty Grounds is an experience not to be missed... and as chance would have it, fits perfectly into our 21-day self drive itinerary Discover Aotearoa.
Posted on February 6, 2012 in Culture , Current Affairs , Historic , Kiwi , museums/galleries | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Air New Zealand paint it black!
It's been 'all white' in the blog world of late, with news of white kiwis and penguins stealing the spotlight, but from last week, things got a whole lot darker as a big black bird appeared over the skies of Britain - the bird in question being an Air New Zealand 777-300 - the first in the new 'All Black' livery.
“The all black colour scheme and silver fern are a key part of both New Zealand’s and the All Blacks’ identity, so we’re excited to be able to take that iconic imagery to the world on a flying billboard that’s more than 242 feet (73.9 metres) long,” says Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Christopher Luxon.
Arriving at Heathrow for the first time on 24 January, this eye-catching aircraft is scheduled to fly into Britain's largest airport up to twice a week as it takes on the classic Air NZ route of London – Los Angeles - Auckland, so keep an eye out...
So, I guess there can be little doubt that the All Blacks are still flying high after their World Cup win last year!
Posted on January 31, 2012 in Current Affairs , Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
A white christmas at Mt Bruce!
Back last year we reported on the birth of Manukura, the world's first white kiwi hatched in captivity. Well, it's happened again, with a second all white kiwi chick hatching just before Christmas!
The happy event once more happened at Pukaha Mt Bruce's national Wildlife Centre and on the photographic evidence I have to say that new arrival may be even cutier than Manakura. Once again, the perfect little chick has been named by local Maori iwi Rangitane o Wairarapa, Mauriora, meaning 'sustained life'
“We were gob-smacked really,” said centre manager Kathy Houkamau. “While every kiwi is precious, to have a second white chick is a delightful gift, especially at this time of year. We thought Christmas had come early in May when Manukura arrived but now it’s come twice.”
Apparently, a small number of North Island brown kiwi carry a white gene, but a white chick only results if both male and female each carry the gene. In an area the size of Pukaha forest (940 hectares), having two white chicks born is nothing short of extraordinary. It is known that both chicks have the same father and it is suspected, the same mother also - so could more white kiwis be still to come?! Watch this space...
For those keen to catch sight of a white kiwi, Manakura the older sibling, is in permanent residence at the Kiwi House at Pukaha Mt Bruce - the perfect detour for those en route to Wellington.
It's good to see that New Zealand's most iconic species is fully embracing the brilliant 100% Pure marketing strategy and thereby helping to boost the profile of kiwi recovery programmes and the like throughout NZ. Nice!
Posted on January 17, 2012 in Current Affairs , Kiwi , Nature , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Forget the big five meet the small five!
Mark Carwardine recently searched for the 'Small Five' when visiting New Zealand - ‘the land of the long white cloud’. The 'Small Five' trip enabled Mark to witness a group of charming rare and endangered wildlife consisting of the Tuatara, described as a living fossil, Hector's dolphin the smallest of its species, the notoriously cheeky Kea, a beautiful yellow eyed penguin and the iconic New Zealand Kiwi!
His first stop was a tiny island with a big secret, just off the coast of Auckland called Tiritiri Matangi. Home to the reptile Tuatara, Mark had a close encounter with the creature, following a successful stumble in the dark!
Next up was Hector's dolphin, the smallest and rarest marine dolphin in the world.
Mark’s third sighting was the Kea alpine parrot, who took a liking to Mark’s car at a spectacular mountain overlook, just outside Arthur’s Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps. He had this to say about the encounter: “A gang of five kea landed on the roof and bonnet of the car intent on doing their best to cause mischief.”
Fourth was the beautiful yellow-eyed penguin where he had wonderful close encounters with the penguins at the appropriately named Penguin Place near Dunedin, which has a unique system of hides, tunnels and covered walkways to view the birds up-close.
Finally to see the infamous but elusive Kiwi, Mark visited Stewart Island in the south of the island. Finding one in the middle of the night, he “crept up to it, lay down on the grass and realised that it was no more than a foot in front of his face”, wow!
In a couple of weeks Mark had covered all of the small five, not forgetting the many other unique and interesting other animals he sighted along the way. The trip was a huge success and had some wonderfully memorable experiences. If you would like to follow in his footsteps you can find out more about the 18-day self-drive holiday, New Zealand’s ‘small five’ safari here.
Mark Carwardine is a Zoologist, author, photographer, conservationist and TV presenter.
Posted on January 13, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
