MAGNETIC SOUTH NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2010 With the end of January almost here and the kiwi summer in full swing we imagine you are all very busy, as we are.  Below is a few points of interest for 2010, we look forward to working with you to ensure your clients have the best holiday possible in our beautiful part of the world.

Product NEW Our standard complimentary documentation consists of a simple English itinerary and service vouchers which can be emailed to you in advance, alternatively mailed to the clients for uplift at their first hotel.  For self-drive programmes we suggest you purchase for your clients our detailed English itinerary with full driving instructions and suggestions, A4 sized NZ road guide, service vouchers and regional brochures, an investment of NZD 70.00 per file, delivered on arrival. Itineraries in foreign languages will be at an additional charge, quoted according to complexity. Kelly Tarlton’s in Auckland has a new Shark Cage for those wanting to come face to face with predators of the sea from the safety of a submerged cage. No diving experience is required which makes it an activity for all and given guests will be submerged in the predator tank other encounters with stingrays and a variety of fish are assured. CHANGES Fiji’s Yasawa Island Resort has been forced to close for several months following a fire which destroyed its main complex. No guests or staff were harmed in the fire, and none of the resort accommodation bures were affected. However, the resort says it is expecting to stay closed until 01 Oct 10, when it will re-open with ‘a new and modern main complex with improved functionality and enhanced orientation to the world class at Yasawa’. Hotel off the Square has installed secondary glazing to all of its street facing rooms. The glass is 13.8mm thick cyclone standard glass that will give greatly improved noise reduction from outside the hotel. DEALS Stay two nights at Select Braemar Lodge in a suite including breakfast daily, admission to Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve and one x three course meal at reduced rates.  Book any full day tour with RD Tours and receive free tickets on the 90 minute Millon Dollar Lake Cruise in Queenstown.  RD tours specialises in taking small groups, couples or families, to unique, rural and coastal sights in the South Island from Dunedin or Queenstown. Breakfree and Peppers Resorts in New Zealand have a variety of stay3/pay2 night deals available.  Remarkables Lodge (see feature below) has extended their winter rates right through summer and offer a complimentary bottle of Pinot Noir for all one night stays, two tickets on the Gondola and bottle of wine for two night stays and a cruise on Lake Wakatipu as well as the Gondola ride and bottle of wine for three night stays. The following properties have also extended their winter rates through summer for all new bookings.  • Cliff Edge Landing, Bay of Islands • Stafford Villa, Auckland • Kawaha Point Lodge, Rotorua • Esther’s Place, Hawke’s Bay • Claremont Country estate (cottages only), Canterbury • Elm Tree House, Christchurch FEATURE Remarkables Lodge is located a short drive from Queenstown nestled below the Remarkable mountain range.  Accommodating only 14 guests in either lodge or premier rooms and known for its exceptional cuisine a stay here with its wide range of facilities is a wonderful experience for guests.  After a long day of sightseeing guests appreciate a soak in the spa, a game of tennis or a swim in the pool.  All this before retiring to the bar for a pre-dinner cocktail and dinner.  The tariff includes breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés, a four course dinner, soft drinks, beers and pre-dinner drinks.  Remarkables Lodge has also solved the dilemma for clients wanting to visit Milford Sound who don’t want to spend the whole day on a coach or be subject to the weather conditions that often make flying impossible.  Guests fly into Te Anau (which is not so exposed to the conditions) where they join the coach into Milford Sound enjoying the Mirror Lakes, Monkey Flat and the Chasm en-route.  A 1 ½ hour boutique cruise on Milford Sound is enjoyed before being transported back to Te Anau for the return flight.  This saves guests over 5 hours coach time or else them missing out all together if the weather is marginal.

TIPS Nath recently did a site inspection of the above property and had the following thoughts for those wanting centrally located B&B style accommodation in Christchurch. Good location, approximately 15 minutes walk to central city with a range of eating establishments just five minutes walk away.  Good guest facilities downstairs including lounge, dining room and large outdoor area where guests have a drink in the evenings – normally they provide one or two drinks complimentary and guests can purchase more if they want.  Most rooms are upstairs, varying in size and heritage décor with new bathrooms. Classic Rooms are of reasonable size and have bathrooms with shower only, flat screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, home-baked cookies – one room can be twin configuration.  Heritage Rooms are larger and have separate bath, plunger coffee, beer/wine in fridge, DVD player and bathrobes.  Property is most suited to older clientele due to décor.

Events & Shows 2010 Date Event Location 06Feb Ruapehu Classic Cycle Ruapehu 13Feb Marlborough Wine Festival Blenheim 26-28Feb Auckland Lantern Festival Auckland 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 18-21Nov Auckland Flower Show Auckland