Make a move…

My colleague Andy has found out the latest research that prove it's not just us that big-up New Zealand!

The ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ is internationally renowned as a site of extraordinary beauty and home to friendly locals, and it looks like the British are catching on. In a recent survey of worldwide British ex-pats, New Zealand came out as the best destination for any prospective movers.

Leaving the M25 for uncluttered coastal roads, and swapping endless miserable winters for t-shirts all year round (let's assume they've moved to the North Island), British émigrés in New Zealand enjoy the beautiful scenery and the charming hospitality of Kiwis all year round. If you want to see what all the fuss is about or maybe scout for your next home the answer is simple - plan your own trip to this amazing country. Enjoy driving the Pacific Coast Highway, chilling out in the Bay of Islands or indulge in a relaxing drink in Auckland’s glorious harbour.

Absolutely Wizard!

In the recent Queen's Honours List one of New Zealand's most eccentric characters, The Wizard was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community. These 'services' are hardly typical including casting spells for his province's rugby team (important), performing rain dances (useful) and entertaining visitors to Christchurch with elaborate orations in the main square (er, most entertaining).

The Wizard, which is his legal name by the way, was for many years an iconic tourist attraction in Christchurch's Catherdral Square where he used to appear daily as a soap box orator. Dressed in a wizard's robe and hat he would mount his step ladder in the middle of the square and proffer his views on life, politics and, well, just about everything else to all who would care to listen (and indeed those who did not).

Back on my first visit to Christchurch I happened across one of these public orations and joined an amused group of onlookers as The Wizard enlightened us on topics we didn't realise we didn't know. It was totally random, but quite entertaining and as with most 'street performance' you witness as a tourist, it was totally compelling.

Though now he is pretty much retired, it would seem that he makes occasional appearances in Christchurch during the summer months (theirs not ours), so listen out for him on a sunny day as you stroll through Cathedral Square.

Air New Zealand uncovered!

You may recall remember my 'Heads Up' blog last September - the one about bald-headed advertising no less, whereby Air New Zealand found a novel way of utilising 'available' space to promote their brand to those queueing up at airport check-ins. Well, in terms of originality, they've done it again with a great new and rather audacious television advert currently airing in New Zealand.

Featuring a number of Air New Zealand staff wearing nothing more than body paint (uniform colours, naturally) and a smile, the ad has been created to promote the airlines fares and their 'no hidden extras' policy, such as extra fees for things like in-flight drinks or checking in.

Thanks to the wonders of online social networking you too can share in the delights of this 'revealing' new commercial. The accompanying music is a track by New Zealand singer Gin Wigmore entitled “Under my skin”.

Giant Rugby Ball hits London

It graced the Eiffel Tower for the duration of the Rugby World Cup in Paris last year and next week the Giant New Zealand Rugby Ball will be touching down in Potters Field Park near Tower Bridge.

In situ for one week only between 25th Nov and 2nd Dec, the Ball will be open to the public free of charge for the majority of these days. Go along and enjoy a multi-media experience that showcases the multitude of delights New Zealand has to offer.

The ball will provide the venue for the pool draw for next IRB World Cup taking place in New Zealand in 2011, but you don't need to be a rugby fan to visit. Sound and vision presentations aim to transport visitors to the other side of the of the world to sample kiwi environments, from the momentuous landscapes to Maori culture. This includes performances from Maori Performing Arts & Education Company, Manaia. In the words of Ben Fogle, how cool is that?!

For further information about opening times, visit the Tourism New Zealand's website. This is really an experience not to be missed and with the winter chill setting in, this is the perfect chance to contemplate warmer climes. Brrr!!

Heads Up

And in the wonderful world of quirky ideas, Air New Zealand has certainly taken the initiative when it
comes to branding and product placement.

New Zealand's excellent national airline are looking to recruit 70 bald travellers to have the back of their heads tattooed (temporarily I might add) and stand in lines at three airports so that the images can be read by those people lining up behind them. Ingenious!

With the enticement of NZ$1,000 I wonder how many razors will be coming out over next few weeks?

Kiwi Quest

The iconic national bird of New Zealand is a little cutie and none more so that Hupai, the 1000th chick to be hatched as part of the Bank of New Zealand initiative Operation Nest Egg launched in 1994 in an effort to counter disturbing statistics that 90% of all wild-born kiwi chicks were dying before they reached six months. The plan was simple and based on research that a chick's chance of survival increased considerably once they weighed about 1kg.

A pilot scheme was tried, whereby wild eggs and chicks were relocated to a safe haven during their most vulnerable period before returning them to the wild. The scheme worked and the project became BNZ Operation Nest Egg. Each summer during the breeding season, eggs and chicks are collected and looked after 'in captive-rearing facilities and predator-free creches. When the juveniles have reached about 1.2 kilograms and are able to better fend for themselves, they are released back to their wild home'.

This year, Hupai's appearance brought the grand total of successfully hatched chicks to 1000! The Save The Kiwi website charts the progress of this oblivious star and offers a wealth of information about the project and kiwis.

Such is the prominence of the kiwi in New Zealand that they can be found everywhere from Auckland to Wellington, Christchurch to Queenstown, around hotels, in airports and shops. It is omnipresent in one form or another. The real-life little fellow is much harder to find - though worth the quest, he truly is!

My only encounter with a kiwi was curiously enough in the National Aquarium in Napier. Though unlike another well-known flightless bird found in New Zealand, the penguin, kiwis are not known for their aquatic skills. Stewart Island is recognised as being the best place to spot kiwis in the wild. But since these curious little creatures are nocturnal as well as superbly camouflaged, patience and a good guide are key ingredients.

“If you are lucky enough to come across a kiwi, savour the privilege.  Stay still and watch.  Don't approach within 5 metres.  please do not disturb them in any way”.
stewartisland.co.nz

Happy spotting!

Bloomin' Spring

As fine weather in the last few days has really brought out the colours of Autumn in the UK, over on the other side of the world, there's a different sort of awakening. Spring is in the air, which is bloomin' marvellous for gardeners!

Indeed, October in NZ is festival time with rhodies taking centre stage in not one, but two, dedicated festivals happening at opposite ends of the country (creative geography rules).

October 25-28 sees the Dunedin Rhododendron Festival return for its 24th year, while one day later Western North Island launches the 20th annual Taranaki Rhododendron & Garden Festival running from 26 Oct to 4 Nov.

The former celebrates the gardens of Otago, both private and public, focusing on glorious rhododendrons. Garden tours, open gardens, cooking demonstrations, a golf tournament and painting classes amongst other activities aim to give the event wider appeal to more than gardeners. There is even a elaborate Masquerade Ball held at Larnach Castle.

Meanwhile, back on North Island, Taranaki brings out the big guns with 16 of the festival's 49 featured gardens being of National or Regional Significance (the highest number of any region in the country).

Gardens in bloom are a great reason to visit NZ in the Spring and we can put together a tailor-made self drive holiday focusing on NZ's lovely gardens for the really green-fingered among you. So you’ll be able to see all of the country’s stunning highlights with a floral accompaniment.

Mt Ruapehu

Well, it's been going off in New Zealand this week and we haven't even reached the conclusion of RWC yet! I talk of course of Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand's most active volcano and part of the trio of volanoes in Tongariro National Park. The eruption lasted for seven minutes and was not anticipated by the experts, the volcano having given no warning signs.

One of NZ's most popular ski area, in the summer Tongariro NP provides the setting for some of the country's great walks including the famed one-day Tongariro Crossing.

As Lindi, our NZ product manager commented, "I did the walk in the summer and was astonished at the colours and textures of the landscape dominated by the volcanic peaks. Definately a trek to recommend".

There is something rather fascinating about volcanoes and the raw power of nature they represent. Indeed as part of our Iceland programme we feature a Volcano Hotline, whereby in the event of a volcanic eruption we'll arrange short notice trips to get clients over to Iceland to witness the activity at close hand. Logistics may prove a little difficult for us to offer a similar service in New Zealand!

Summer Sails

The 32^nd America’s Cup is now in full swing. This is the world’s premier sailing competition and while I can honestly say that I really haven’t got a clue how it all works, I do know that it is of considerable importance to our Kiwi friends and as such find it all rather compelling.

Sailing is a clearly a passion for New Zealanders, especially on the North Island. After all it’s not for nothing that Auckland is referred to as the ‘City of Sails’ and regardless of whether or not you’re a ‘yachtie’ yourself, in my opinion this passion is one of the city’s great plusses. The Viaduct Harbour, which was revamped when Auckland last hosted the America’s Cup in 2003 is a great asset to the city and is the perfect waterside location to enjoy café culture or indulge in some fine dining.

From an activity standpoint, sailing takes centre stage with the Sail NZL40, which provides a unique opportunity to crew an America’s Cup grand prix racer. No previous experience is required but your participation is encouraged. There are many other ways to take to the water in Auckland including a Harbour Lunch Cruise, but for pure thrills the NZL40 is hard to beat.

• Departing daily Sail NZL40 costs from £46 per person and lasts 2 hours.
• Auckland Harbour Lunch Cruise is 1.5 hours and costs from £23 per person including a packed lunch.

Meanwhile, back to the current competition, the series is tied. Come on Team New Zealand!

Winter Wonderland

Winter really kicks off in New Zealand next week with the start of the 33rd Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival, (22 June – 1 July) which “is one of the largest such festivals in the world and in recent years has become known as ‘The Southern Hemisphere’s Ultimate Winter Party””. Now I like the sound of that!

In true kiwi style this is an all out extravaganza celebrating Queenstown and the winter season with more than 60 free and ticketed events being held over 10 days. Starting with the Lindauer (there’s that nice word again!) Party in the Park – music, food and fireworks – my pick of some of the other events include: Frisbee Golf Winter Doubles Tournament, the American Express Comedy Debate, which “brings together some of the biggest names in New Zealand entertainment to argue if Queenstown is more Auckland than Auckland”, Speights Dog Derby involving standard downhill racing followed by a bark-off and Coronet Peak Night Skiing, which doesn’t involve any silliness whatsoever… yeah right!

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘BIG’ and promises “…to rock New Zealand’s favourite party town from June 22 to July 1 with the biggest and best winter celebration there is”. I’m packing as I type…