MAGNETIC SOUTH NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2010 February has seen a continuation of hot balmy weather, and while many farmers in both Australia and New Zealand have been crying out for rain, this weather does make for perfect travelling conditions. The many international visitors that have escaped the European winter are certainly happy. This month has also brought usual upsurge in international visitors to our shores, meaning full hotels and motels, and by New Zealand standards, crowds! Those clients who left booking to the last minute have often been disappointed with the fewer options left open to them, so we encourage you to advise your customers that despite our reputation of being unspoilt, there are periods where ‘walking in” to the desired accommodation property is not a given.  And remind them that March and April are still great months to travel in New Zealand.

Product NEW Delamore Lodge on Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf has installed a heated infinity pool which has stunning vistas out and over the Hauraki Gulf.  The pool has added a further dimension to those staying at the lodge and supplements the facilities already on offer. As of 01 February 2010 Fiji has introduced the Tourist VAT Refund Scheme.  Guests to Fiji can claim a refund on the VAT (tax) they pay on goods purchased.  Guests must have spent a minimum of FJ$500 (VAT inclusive) in any registered VAT refund outlet on any one day to qualify. The tax is claimed for on departure.  We have access to packages and tickets to many events and shows in both New Zealand and Australia.  If you have clients interested in including something like this please ask when requesting a quote. CHANGES The New Zealand Government is proposing to introduce a rise in GST from the current 12.5% to 15% in the 2010-2011 taxation year. Regretfully, if and when this occurs, we will have to pass this additional cost on to you for all travel within the period concerned. Interislander will include a cooked breakfast to guests travelling on the 08.25am sailing from Wellington to Picton in Kaitaki Plus Class indefinitely.  Pacific Resort Aitutaki has been chosen as one of the Top 10 Luxury Resorts in the South Pacific and Top 10 Resorts for romance in the South Pacific by TripAdvisor® in its 2010 Travellers’ Choice awards.  Pacific Resort Aitutaki has 27 ‘absolute beachfront’ bungalows, suites and villas all with their own personal, panoramic view of Aitutaki’s famous lagoon. Te Wanaka Lodge will be closed during May and June to complete a major refurbishment.  The upgrade will include painting of the accommodation and main lodge areas, re-carpeting a number of accommodation rooms, upgrading headboards, lamps and other room furnishings.  Kelly Tarltons in Auckland has unveiled plans to completely renovate the attraction by 2011.  Changes will include increasing the size by a third, changing the name to Kelly’s Reef, introducing a variety of interactive encounters, creating a turtle rehabilitation centre as well as plenty of improvements to ensure a premium guest experience. Carino Sailing & Dolphin Adventures, Paihia have received an Enviro-Bronze accreditation which shows their commitment to reducing the company’s impact on the environment.  Carino offers daily sailing and dolphin swimming adventures in the Bay of Islands.   DEALS Birds Ferry Lodge is located a short distance from Westport on the South Island’s West Coast.  With both lodge and cottage style accommodation the lodge is perfectly suited to different group sizes and dynamics.   Stay two nights including dinner and breakfast in the lodge, and enjoy a one hour holistic massage per person and a ½ day guided tour of the local area. FEATURE Mt Nicholas Station is a 100,000 acre high country station located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown.  The scenery is truly unique and being set on a backdrop of rugged mountains makes for many a beautiful vista. The lodge offers authentic kiwi hospitality in a farming atmosphere where guests can get amongst nature as much or as little as they like.  Opportunities abound to go tramping, fishing or hunting or guests can enjoy the peace and quiet that 100,000 acres affords.   There are three guest rooms within the lodge and cuisine is organically produced and free range.  Mt Nicholas Station also offers a variety of activities that are unique to the station experience.  A few of these are listed below:  HORSE TREKKING – Beginning on the lake front the horse trekking trails cover much of the front country providing an ideal way to see the stations diverse landscape and spectacular views.  Treks range from 2 to 4 hours in duration and are fully guided.  SHEEP MUSTERING – Accompany one of the station shepherds on a sheep muster and experience the incredible ability of the sheep dogs as they respond to the shepherds commands. GUIDED FLY FISHING – For the true enthusiasts, Mt Nicholas is a fantastic location with the Von River being only a few minutes’ drive from the lodge and the world famous Oreti River only 30 minutes drive.  Also available is helicopter access to Fiordland's remote back country streams where you will not only have the opportunity of catching great fish, but will also see some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. GUIDED HIKING – With over 100,000 acres to explore, the options are endless. The scenic beauty of the diverse landscape offers an amazing hiking experience where seclusion and privacy is guaranteed. 4WD FARM EXCURSION – A 3-4 hour trip which takes you over many of the remote tracks on the farm and is an ideal way to get a true appreciation of the sheer magnitude of the property and learn about the history and challenges that are encountered in the farming operation.

TIPS Mitch recently visited Gisborne and had the following comments on properties seen: Emerald Hotel – located on the main shopping road.  A full service hotel including a large centrally located pool and adjoining bar and restaurant.  The rooms are a good size with a variety of bed configurations; they all look out over the pool area.   The hotel is in the perfect spot to base guests whilst visiting the Gisborne area. Portside Hotel - About 5 minutes walk from the main shopping road overlooking the port.  The rooms were nice with a range of room sizes and bedding configurations.  There’s no food or beverage available onsite but plenty within walking distance.  All rooms (other than the lead-in room type) have a full kitchen.  We suggest booking a city-view room so  guests will get to enjoy all-day  sun.

Events & Shows 2010 Date Event Location 26Feb-21Mar NZ International Arts Festival Wellington 06Mar Waipara Wine & Food Festival Waipara 10Mar Hokitika Wildfoods Festival Hokitika 10-14Mar Ellerslie Flower Show Christchurch 13Mar Pasifica Festival Auckland 02-04Apr Warbirds over Wanaka Wanaka          22 May Bluff Oyster & Food Festival Bluff 04-12 Sep Gay Ski Week Queenstown 24 Oct Gisborne Food & Wine Festival Gisborne 18-21Nov Auckland Flower Show Auckland 21 Nov Toast Martinborough Martinborough