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Te Araroa – 3000 km / 1864 mi walking trail opens
Saturday, 17-Dec-2011A 35-year dream came to life on Saturday (3.12.2011) with the opening of the completed Te Araroa Trail – a new 3000km hiking adventure that travels the length of New Zealand
‘Te Araroa – The Long Pathway’ will join a select group of the world’s epic walking trails, such as the famed Camino de Santiago in Spain, the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails in North America.
While intrepid hikers will want to take on the complete journey – a three-month odyssey through iconic New Zealand landscapes – the trail is formed from a network of regional pathways offering shorter excursions to appeal to both serious and leisure walkers
The trail begins at Cape Reinga, on the tip of New Zealand’s North Island, and ends at Bluff – a fishing port at the southernmost extremity of the South Island. Midway, it passes through the capital city, Wellington.
Epic production
If the trail is an epic journey, there’s another epic in the tale of Kiwi ‘can do’ which saw the development of this project from a dream into a 3000km reality.
The trail was first talked about more than 35 years ago when the New Zealand Walkways Commission – which eventually became the Department of Conservation (DOC) – was formed. However, most material progress has happened over the past decade.
Te Araroa has been master minded by a charitable trust of like-minded volunteers, and hundreds of passionate volunteer workers who’ve helped develop the tracks and signposting.
No one knows the story better than Kiwi journalist and Trust founder Geoff Chapple who began to campaign for Te Araroa in the ‘90s with a newspaper article that described the proposal as “patriotic, but also practical”.
Chapple – whose promotion included walking the proposed route – saw Te Araroa from a community perspective, with construction of the trail creating jobs, and the completed trail bringing tourists and business to remote rural areas.
Dream fulfilled
On the eve of the realisation of his dream, Chapple says that he is feeling “in a word – fulfilled”.
“In 1994 I wrote a newspaper article demanding action for a Kiwi long trail and the lesson there is ‘ Be careful what you write. It gains power and can take you over.’
“It took me over for 17 years but they were years of exploration and reward. We resurrected many of the old Māori routes, and discovered a wellspring of popular support and generosity.”
Although figures have not been finalised, Chapple said that “about 1650km or 55% of the route comprised new linkages to existing trails”.
In some cases this involved building new tracks, or erecting signposts on routes that were already legal access – such as coastline – but not recognised as track.
The remaining 45% already existed, though some were just remote routes that were very rough and seldom used, Chapple said.
New Zealand landscapes
Te Araroa traverses a range of New Zealand landscapes from coastal lowlands to native forests, and into hill country, alpine and volcanic landscapes. It includes sections that offer day, overnight and multi-day excursions for shorter trips.
In the North Island, there is a lengthy water section – about 11% of the distance – which is travelled by kayak. This is “mainly on the Whanganui River, a rather beautiful journey,” Chapple said.
A few sections can be cycled, including a 58km section across the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island.
Guide book
The route is signposted and a new guide book, due to be released this week, will help walkers to make the most of their travels.
Studies have predicted that approximately 100 people annually will walk the length of the country, 2000 people will do multi-day walks in the North Island, and 1000 in the South Island.
Around 7000 people will walk overnight sections, and 350,000 people will use the trail for day walks.
By the mid-2000s and well ahead of the trail’s completion, eager walkers were already hitting the trail – up to 10 a year, using roads as by-passes where necessary.
Trail opening
The trail’s official opening is set to take place on the Wellington sea shore at the spot where the North Island trail ends.
New Zealand’s Governor-General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae, will open the trail, with satellite links to simultaneous ceremonies at the northern and southern ends.
The opening coincides with the release of The Walking Guide to Te Araroa, written by Geoff Chapple and published by Random House.
Luxory Lodges New Zealand
Saturday, 17-Dec-2011New 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.
Just announced, the latest edition of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Reader’s Travel Awards includes five New Zealand lodges in a list of 108 best international resorts.
The Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2011 has selected Mollies (Auckland), Huka Lodge (Taupo), The Farm at Cape Kidnappers (Hawke’s Bay), Wharekauhau Lodge (Martinborough), and Blanket Bay (Queenstown).
Condé Nast honours
The Condé Nast honours also place The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs (Bay of Islands) at #6 in the world on the Readers’ Choice Top 100 Travel Experiences, and The Spa at Kauri Cliffs at #10 for the Oceania region.
The Langham, Auckland placed at #3 for the best hotels in Oceania, and Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa was #15.
In the destination stakes, New Zealand was listed at #9 on the preferred country destination. Italy was the top choice.
The Gold List is chosen by the magazine’s editors from the results of an annual readers survey. For the 24th survey, almost 29,000 readers cast a combined eight million votes rating the cities, islands, and hotels they had visited in the past year.
Candidates are judged on a five point scale, and rated on food/dining, location, overall design, rooms, and service.
Fodor’s selection
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs also featured in the 2011 Fodor’s 100 Hotels selection for luxurious retreats.
The hotels are chosen by Fodor’s editors and travel experts for their service, stylish accommodation and unforgettable experiences.
Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House, is one of the world’s leading providers of travel information with 700 writers around the world contributing travel advice for guidebooks and the Fodors.com website.
Background information: NZ luxury lodges
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Northland
Owned and developed by US investor Julian Robertson, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is a grand Plantation-style spread in a tranquil setting with stunning coastal views. The 6000-acre property – which includes a private day spa, par-72 championship golf course, tennis courts, and a stable of horses – has the feel of an exclusive country club. Accommodation is in 22 guest suites in 11 private cottages. The lodge’s resident naturalist leads guided bush walks, and day excursions include scuba diving, fishing, and relaxation in the beautiful Bay of Islands.
www.kauricliffs.com
Mollies, Auckland
Set on a leafy residential street with views over Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, the 14-suite Mollies is a stylish boho bolt-hole. A grand piano in the airy and art-filled lounge, sets the scene for regular operatic recitals. The individually designed bedrooms are filled with antiques, vintage finds and other curiosities – some complete with grand pianos. Facilities include a day spa and The Dining Room restaurant serving contemporary Kiwi cuisine and top regional wines.
www.mollies.co.nz
The Langham, Auckland
Auckland’s The Langham Hotel is a five-star destination in the classic tradition of grand hotels offering timeless luxury and style. There are 17 luxury suites among its 411 rooms, and the Chuan Spa is one of New Zealand’s top spa experiences. It has eight restaurants, an elegant lounge bar and hosts many glittering events in its luxuriously appointed Great Room.
auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz
Huka Lodge, Taupo
Huka Lodge started life as a secluded 1920s fishing resort on the riverside near Lake Taupo, and the rustic sporting heritage continues to influence the contemporary style. The 19 suites and two private cottages are spacious and bright, with every amenity a modern traveller requires. The main attraction is some of the world’s best rainbow-trout fishing, but there are also natural hot springs, tennis courts and a pool.
www.hukalodge.com
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay
Set on a 6000-acre working farm in the Hawke’s Bay wine region, this 22-suite resort is famed for its spectacular Tom Doak-designed golf course. There are four suites in the former farm buildings that make up the main lodge, and the other suites are clustered nearby. Part of the property has been set aside as a conservation area for kiwi. The spa sits on a hillside above, and activities include farm tours, visits to the gannet colony and mountain biking.
www.capekidnappers.com
Wharekauhau Lodge & Country Estate, Wairarapa
This exclusive lodge, on a 5500-acre working sheep station overlooking Palliser Bay in the Wairarapa wine region, has recently been refurbished. The main lodge, with its grand rooms and cosy nooks, resembles an Edwardian country mansion, and the 10 guest cottages have sea views and sumptuously furnishings. There is an indoor pool and spa-treatment room, a croquet lawn and terrain de boules. A new spa is set to open this year.
www.wharekauhau.co.nz
Blanket Bay, Queenstown
Pitched as New Zealand’s ultimate alpine escape, Blanket Bay sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by an awe-inspiring landscape of snow-capped mountains, prehistoric rainforest and small, trout-filled lakes. It’s also renowned for its award-winning Pacific Rim cuisine, and intimate relaxed atmosphere. Accommodation is in 12 bedrooms and suites in the main lodge and individual chalets, and facilities include a spa, steam rooms and pool. Local activities include fly-fishing, riding and heli-skiing.
www.blanketbay.com
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa
The Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa is a sophisticated five-star retreat in the heart of the South Island alpine resort and adventure capital. The elegant 82-room hotel combines French antique chic and local avant-garde design. Facilities include LeSpa day spa, Vie Restaurant, Nue Lounge, and the 80-seat Left Bank Café – part French kitchen, part tea room.
www.sofitel.com
New Zealand – Summer 2011 / 2012 — what to do
Saturday, 17-Dec-2011Visit New Zealand during the summer months and you might not find anyone at home – that’s because when the sun is out, so are Kiwis and with so much to do, it’s hardly surprising.
Not only is the beach beckoning, the boat waiting and the family ready for fun, but there are wineries and cafés to visit, bush walks and bike rides to enjoy, farmers markets, food festivals and outdoor concerts everywhere – along with Christmas celebrations and long holidays.
In a country surrounded by an enticing ocean with a vast and varied landscape to explore, escape and relax in, there are plenty of options – but add a full calendar of special outdoor events and summer in New Zealand is hard to beat.
Events planned for the 2011/2012 summer season are a prime example of the things New Zealand does best and give a flavour of the Kiwi lifestyle.
Covering all areas of interest – sport, music, arts and culture, food and wine, nature and the outdoors – the coming months offer visitors plenty of choice and, as well as a taster of major festivals and events listed here, there are many smaller scale happenings all over New Zealand.
Christmas celebrations
Christmas in New Zealand involves lights and late nights – as people take advantage of summer evenings to wander or drive down the many residential streets and public places that have become famed for fairy lights and lavish Christmas decorations.
Communities also gather to sing Christmas carols by candlelight, towns and suburbs stage their own Santa parades, and major public celebrations include family favourite Christmas in the Park – the biggest outdoor Christmas concert in New Zealand which happens in Auckland, and Christchurch.
The festive season continues with New Year’s Eve celebrations in most towns and holiday resorts. In Queenstown, there’s a spectacular lakeside fireworks display, live music and parties in the streets – kick-starting the month-long Summerdaze Festival of sports, arts, cultural, musical and family entertainment.
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park – Hagley Park, Christchurch
26 November, 2011
Christmas in the Park
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park – Auckland Domain
10 December, 2011
Christmas in the Park
Auckland Sky Tower precinct lights up
8 – 12 December, 2011
Sky Tower Christmas lights
TSB Bank Festival of the Lights – New Plymouth
18 December, 2011 – 29 January, 2012
New Plymouth’s magnificent Pukekura Park, a vast 52ha domain, provides a dramatic backdrop for a lighting festival in the heart of the city.
TSB Bank Festival of Lights
Auckland Lantern Festival
3 – 5 February, 2012
Hundreds of colourful lanterns light up central Auckland’s Albert Park in a family celebration with entertainment, food and crafts – this year celebrates the Year of the Dragon.
Auckland Lantern Festival
Outdoor concerts
Summer nights in New Zealand are about outdoor eating and entertainment, and this season there’s a long list of concerts for all tastes and age groups.
Younger Kiwis swarm to Rhythm & Vines – a three-day festival of international and national bands performing in natural amphitheatres at a vineyard near Gisborne, which is the first town in the world to see the sun.
Vineyards in New Zealand’s wine regions are an attractive venue for summer concerts. This year’s big names include Rod Stewart, who will be performing at the 20th anniversary Mission Estate concert, in Hawke’s Bay, on 25 February.
Legendary rock bands the Doobie Brothers and Little River Band will play against the stunning backdrop of Gibbston Valley Winery, in Central Otago (11.02.2012) while Australian roots band the John Butler Trio and funky American soul singer Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme will perform at Peregrine’s award-winning winery (9.02.2012).
Auckland’s ‘The Big Day Out’ (20.01.2012) is one of New Zealand’s largest outdoor concerts with a huge lineup of international and top local artists, and new music festival ‘La De Da’ at Alana Estate, in the Wairarapa, returns bigger and louder for a second outing – adding a new dimension to the ever-expanding summer programme.
Rhythm & Vines – Gisborne
29 December, 2011 – 1 January, 2012
A mix of rock ‘n roll, funk and hip-hop, R&B, pop, country, blues and even sci-fi, the programme includes international superstars and top Kiwi talent. The three-day festival is internationally famous as the ‘place to be’ for new year, and attracts 20,000-plus festival goers to camp, swim, enjoy world-class entertainment and be the first in the world to see the new year in.
Rhythm & Vines
EarthTonz – Queenstown
30 / 31 December, 2011
Queenstown will also host EarthTonz – a new annual music festival which features more than 30 hours of live music over two days. On 30 December there’s a great line up of Kiwi bands at Gibbston Valley Station, while on New Year’s Eve the big guns include Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) & DJ Aero, big beating Americans Crystal Method, and British break beat band The Freestylers. Also on the bill, New Zealand’s own Minuit, and other international dance and electronica acts.
EarthTonz NYE Music Fest
La De Da – Alana Estate, Martinborough
31 December, 2011
New Zealand’s newest music festival – with a long lineup including SkisM, Kora, Katchafire, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Sola Rosa – will also provide bars, gourmet food and a Kiwi-style new year party.
La De Da Festival
Raggamuffin – Rotorua
27 – 28 January, 2012
New Zealand’s newest music festival – with a long lineup including SkisM, Kora, Katchafire, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Sola Rosa – will also provide bars, gourmet food and a Kiwi-style new year party.
Raggamuffin
Recreation & Sport
Warmer weather entices sports-mad and leisure-loving Kiwis out of doors even more frequently, and everywhere people are exercising, playing some kind of sport or engaging in outdoor leisure pursuits.
It might be as effortless as dangling a fishing line from a jetty, or something more active like ocean swimming, or even completing a mega multi-sports event that involves cycling, running and kayaking from one side of the South Island to the other.
Opti Worlds 2011 – Napier
31 December, 2011 – 10 January, 2012
Napier will welcome 200-plus young sailors from 50 countries for the nine-day Optimist Sailing World Championship – a first-ever for Oceania in the 50 years of optimist competitions. Each country will be represented by five sailors (11 – 15 years) for this challenging event that brings together some of the world’s top young sailing talent.
Opti Worlds 2011
Waka Ama Sprint Nationals – Lake Karapiro
16 – 21 January, 2012
The largest Waka Ama – or outrigger canoe – event in the world is held on Lake Karapiro, in the Hamilton Waikato region, and attracts up to 3000 paddlers, from 7 to 70 years. The 2012 event celebrates 23 years of competition.
Waka Ama Sprint Nationals
Challenge Wanaka – Lake Wanaka
21 January, 2011
The world’s most scenic iron distance triathlon (226km) takes place against the lake and mountain backdrop of Mount Aspiring Park in the South Island. A half iron distance triathlon staged on the same day involves a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1 km run.
Challenge Wanaka
Bay of Islands Sailing Week – Northland
23 – 27 January, 2012
New Zealand’s premier sailing regatta offers a variety of divisions and numerous post-race social events on Opua Wharf, in the picturesque Bay of Islands.
Bay of Islands Sailing Week
Auckland Anniversary Regatta
30 January, 2012
Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour comes alive for a fabulous day on the water and one of the world’s biggest one-day yachting regattas. The Auckland Anniversary Regatta, which began 172 years ago in 1840, brings together a glorious spectacle featuring vintage sailing superstars and the high tech heralds of the future.
Auckland Anniversary Regatta
NZ International Sevens – Wellington
3 – 4 February, 2012
One of eight HSBC Sevens World Series tournaments held annually, the NZ International Sevens in Wellington are the pick of the bunch. Tickets are highly sort after, and Wellington transforms into a carnival atmosphere as fans turn out in colourful costumes to party their way through the tournament.
NZ International Sevens
2012 New Zealand Masters Games – Dunedin
4 – 12 February, 2012
New Zealand’s largest multi-sport fixture covers 64 separate sports and more than 550 different events. The 2012 games theme is ‘great mates’ and a number of social events will surround the sporting action.
NZ Masters Games
Speights Coast to Coast – Southern Alps
10 – 11 February, 2012
A premier international multi-sports event, the Speights Coast to Coast is an international benchmark. The one to two-day event traverses New Zealand’s South Island with competitors cycling 140km, running 36km and kayaking 67km.
Speights Coast to Coast
Goldfields Cavalcade – Central Otago
18 – 25 February, 2012
This annual pilgrimage – retracing the footsteps of early NZ gold-miners – takes thousands into Central Otago’s dramatic, tussock-covered hills on foot, horse and wagon. The 2012 Cavalcade journey will end in Crowmell with a carnival and hoedown.
Goldfields Cavalcade
Food and wine
New Zealand boasts some of the greatest cuisine in the world, and freshly harvested ingredients from gardens, land and sea, never taste better than when straight off the barbecue or eaten alfresco-style.
Apart from weekly markets – which have become very popular with local consumers particular about buying good quality, locally grown fresh produce – there are many food and wine festivals throughout the country that are a perfect way to spend a lazy summer’s day.
Great Fitzroy Mussel Fest – Great Barrier Island
14 January, 2012
Mussels farmed in the clear waters of Port Fitzroy, on Auckland’s Great Barrier Island, are mostly exported but each year there’s a special allocation for the annual mussel festival – served au naturel, smoked or as kebabs and fritters.
Great Fitzroy Mussel Fest
Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration
26 – 28 January, 2012
Wine and food enthusiasts from around the world come together in late January for one of New Zealand’s premier wine events, the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration, showcasing the region’s best wine, cuisine and scenery. The programme includes a masterclass, grand tasting of 35 wineries, parties, lunches and samplings.
Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration
Auckland Seafood Festival
28 – 30 January, 2012
New Zealand’s ultimate seafood celebration showcases the catch from the Hauraki Gulf and waters surrounding Auckland city. Freshly caught delicacies are matched with wine and beer, cooked by top chefs and sampled in an alfresco atmosphere with live music. This year ‘the feastival’ moves into Auckland’s new Wynyard Quarter down on the waterfront.
Auckland Seafood Festival
Kawhia Kai Festival – Waikato
4 February, 2012
A unique celebration of traditional Māori food and culture where thousands of visitors flock to the coastal fishing village of Kawhia, on the North Island’s west coast – rich in history and fruits of the sea. This year there’ll be 25 kai stalls serving local delicacies like kōki / shark liver paté, hāngi and fermented corn – served up in traditional Māori kono / woven food baskets created for the festival.
Kawhia Kai Festival
Marlborough Wine Festival
11 February, 2012
New Zealand’s longest running wine festival – held at Brancott Estate – offers the chance to sample the best from Marlborough’s award-winning wineries matched with local food. Activities include wine tutorials, cooking classes, entertainment and ‘Fashion in the Vines’.
Marlborough Wine Festival
Art & Culture
Summer celebrations involving New Zealand’s diverse culture and strong artistic talents usually have an outdoor focus.
Art is set in the environment, cinema screens move outside and stage performers take to the streets as the summer programme offers entertainment by day and night.
Black Barn Open Air cinema – Hawke’s Bay
27 – 30 December 2011 / 2 – 6 January 2012
A natural amphitheatre at Black Barn, one of New Zealand’s best known vineyards, in the foothills of Te Mata Peak, Hawke’s Bay, is a popular spot to enjoy outdoor movies with wines and local fare.
Black Barn
World Buskers Festival – Christchurch
19 – 29 January, 2012
The 18th annual World Buskers Festival is set to get Christchurch laughing again with street, circus and comedy shows rolling out for 10 days of fun – more than 500 hours of entertainment – for the huge crowds that attend this iconic Christchurch event. This year’s talent includes 44 top international acts, and Busker Park – in Hagley Park – is the new place to be.
World Buskers Festival
Waitangi Day and Festival – Northland
6 February, 2012
New Zealand’s national day celebration – commemorating the ‘Treaty of Waitangi’ signing – focuses on the Waitangi Treaty grounds, in the Bay of Islands, with official ceremony and a family festival of sports and cultural events. For 2012 there wil also be an aerobatic display from the RNZAF ‘Red Checkers’ and concert with Dame Malvina Major.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Burst! Festival of Flowers – Christchurch
17 February – 4 March, 2012
The 23rd Festival of Flowers is themed as ‘colour me beautiful Christchurch’. It will take place in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and leads into the Ellerslie International Flower Show (7 – 11 March). Attractions will include a floral wall, florally decorated portaloos, pop-up floral art by local designers, and a topiary menagerie.
Festival of Flowers
Art Deco weekend – Hawke’s Bay
14 – 19 February, 2012
Napier – New Zealand’s art deco capital and one of the best-known collective examples of 1930s architecture in the world – celebrates in style with classic cars, aircraft and guests in Deco clothing, adding authenticity and 20s glamour to events – many of which are free.
Art Deco Napier
New Zealand Fringe Festival – Wellington
18 February – 5 March, 2012
Fringe is recognised as a launch pad for the arts in New Zealand, and features fresh theatre, dance, comedy, live music, visual arts and multimedia acts in a number of Wellington venues.
NZ Fringe Festival
NZ International Arts Festival – Wellington
24 February – 18 March, 2012
A big top circus from Belgium, a punk accordion player from Finland and a world première are among the 300 shows in the 2012 International Arts Festival lineup. Germaine Greer will headline ‘writers and readers week’. The festival attracts over 300,000 attendances.
NZ International Arts Festival
Summer in the Southern Hemisphere: Queenstown, New Zealand
Tuesday, 29-Nov-2011Action-packed events calendar in Queenstown this summer
Queenstown, New Zealand (30 November 2011) – Queenstown is heating up for an action-packed summer with new international concerts, New Year’s Eve celebrations, food and wine festivals, street parties, free community events, and sporting matches.
And with the sun rising at 5am and setting as late as 10pm in the four-season lake and alpine resort during summer there’s plenty of time to make the most of the warm sunshine and long twilights.
The nearby historic gold mining village of Arrowtown will celebrate the start of summer on 2 December by closing off its picturesque main street for the inaugural Arrowtown Long Lunch. Along with live music and entertainment, a row of tables featuring the differently themed cuisine of local cafes and restaurants will span the length of the street for diners to enjoy festive summer dining at its best.
In late December the region moves into holiday mode with visitors joining in the festive fun.