From fire to water – Tekapo Springs celebrates 12^th anniversary with community event and Australian bushfire family offer 

A multi-award-winning Tekapo tourism operation business is celebrating 12 years in business with the launch of new attractions and a very special Australian bushfire relief package.

The horror stories that came out of the bushfire tragedy prompted Tekapo Springs to reach out to an Australian family that’s ‘lost everything’ with a collaborative package to take them from the fire-ravaged region to the peace and tranquillity of Tekapo.

The family has yet to be told, but their dream holiday will include return flights to Christchurch with Air New Zealand, a five-night accommodation package including Accor Hotels’ Peppers Bluewater hotel in Tekapo and a rental car from Thrifty.

Tekapo Springs has donated the return flights and activities at their complex, including the hot pools, day spa treatments and a tour with Tekapo Star Gazing.

Tekapo Jet, Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking, Christchurch Adventure Park, Christchurch Tramway Restaurant, Hassle Free Tours – Christchurch Hop On Hop Off Tour, KJet Queenstown and Ziptrek Ecotours have also offered activities.

Tekapo Springs’ sales and marketing manager Andy Murray says they’re “thrilled” with the response so far.

“We’re celebrating 12 years of having built a fantastic business in Tekapo so thought it was time to give back to our local and wider community,” he says.

“We know after having talked to Australian visitors who’ve lived through the fires just how much they appreciate getting away from it all, so we came up with this gorgeous family package. Along with the other businesses that have given so generously, we can’t wait to host them.”

The Australian relief package was announced this week as Tekapo Springs officially launched its fun new summer activities, the Jumpernaut and Aqua Drop waterslide.

Tekapo Springs was founded by Karl Burtscher, who still owns the company. It developed over the years to become a multi-award-winning, world-renowned and year-round tourism attraction featuring three hot pools, two cooler pools and an aqua play area, a day spa, a café and bar, steam and sauna rooms, unique stargazing products, and an ice rink and snow tube park.

It operates 364 days a year, employs up to 50 people and welcomes around 150,000 people a year.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Karl. “We’ve had an awesome summer as domestic tourism in New Zealand has been really strong, so we celebrated by having some fun, acknowledging our 12^th birthday milestone and giving back in the best way we can to our friends in Australia who’re having a hard time.”

Karl thanked the Albury Ice Hockey Club (now called Mackenzie Ice Hockey Club) as without their support and allowing the sale of the land, the Tekapo Springs complex of today would not exist.

“I also want to say a huge ‘thank you’ the local Tekapo and the wider Mackenzie community as without their support this would not have been possible,” he says.

Mackenzie district Mayor Graham Smith attended the birthday celebration along with Canterbury Cricket stars Chad Bowes and Cam Fletcher. The Mayor got into the spirit of things by racing the young cricketers on the Jumpernaut followed by a speed trial on the Aqua Drop, where speeds of 41km per hour were reached.

For further information or high res images please contact:

Karl Burtscher
Managing Director Tekapo Springs
Mob. +64 275 324 272
P: +64 3 680 6550
E: karl@tekaposprings.co.nz
W: www.tekaposprings.co.nz

OR

Fiona Woodham
Southern PR
P: 0274 313 270
E: fiona@southernpr.co.nz
W: www.southernpr.co.nz

BROOK SERENE ANNOUNCES HANDOVER TO OWNERS OF HENLEY HOTEL

Brook Serene announced today that they would be handing over all day to day management and marketing of the Henley Hotel back to the owners on 1 April 2020.

Darryn Whitehead and Brent Webster engaged Brook Serene to manage the property in 2018 as they had other projects they were working on; however these projects have now been finalised and they now wish to focus personally on Henley Hotel.

In a statement from Managing Director, Bruce Garrett about the handover, he said that “I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve at Henley Hotel in the short time since opening.  Establishing a great team, achieving a five-star rating from Qualmark, glowing media reviews and many, many, satisfied accommodation, restaurant and function guests.  We would like to thank Darryn and Brent for trusting us with this gem, and we are confident that we have established a solid foundation for them to continue to grow as the property matures and establishes itself as the premier full-service hotel, restaurant, wedding & event destination in the area”.

Hotel accommodation, restaurant and function bookings will continue to be made with Brook Serene until 31 March 2020.

In a statement from the owners, Darryn and Brent said “We are proud to build on the solid start Brook Serene has made in the opening phase of the hotel and we will continue with a totally service focused culture delivered by a dedicated Henley team. This is paired with exquisitely designed rooms and public spaces nestled on breathtakingly beautiful grounds. We feel this will further reinforce Henley Hotel as the ultimate corporate space, individual romantic guest escape or an exclusive venue for small groups and events in an incredibly accessible location being less than 2 hours from Auckland and within an hour from the growth areas of Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua”.

Henley Hotel is the duo’s 5th boutique hotel property and the pair said they are beyond excited to build on their already reimagined Manor House with additional facilities being established over 2020/2021 including expanded accommodation, dining and leisure facility options.

For all Henley Hotel accommodation, restaurant and event enquiries from 1 April 2020 please contact Darryn and Brent at info@thehenley.co.nz or on 07 823 3421.

ENDS

Please contact

Georgina Torrington

Director Sales and Marketing

Brook Serene

021 311 723

georgina@brookserene.com

Ahipara Luxury Travel is a destination management company (DMC), specialising in developing unique itineraries of New Zealand for international visitors. We specialise in luxury tourism (6,5 & 4+ star) focused on connecting our clients to New Zealand. Our reputation is for providing the most in-depth experiences that provide real and authentic connection to the country. We work with some very special people throughout the country, several who work with us exclusively enabling us to deliver unique experiences that are not available through any other DMC.

We remain committed to sustainability and are founding members of the The Conscious Travel Foundation, an international organisation of likeminded travel professionals who are focused on creating travel experiences that deliver a positive impact for the country and communities they travel to.

Heritage Collection Waitakere Estate rebrands to Waitakere Resort & Spa

Nestled in the Waitakere Ranges a short drive from Auckland city, the family owned property known as
Waitakere Estate for the past 30 years will be stepping away from Heritage Hotels brand to be rebranded
Waitakere Resort & Spa as of the February 1st, 2020.

Managing Director and owner Reg Nevill-Jackson will be stepping down from managing the hotel at the
end of March and is pleased to announce the appointment of New Zealand hotel management company
Capstone Hotels & Resorts to take over full management of the hotel effective 1st April.

The property has undergone major investment and changes over the past few years, including the opening
of the South Wing in November 2018 which includes 8 premier rooms. Along with a new gym and sauna
recently established guest facilities include the Wairua Day Spa offering two treatment rooms and
introducing a strong focus on wellness as part of the guest experience. Plans are underway for
refurbishment of the common areas within the main hotel building including the guest lounge and dining
areas.

Wellness is a growing area of interest for many across all sectors and Waitakere Resort will be hosting
regular wellness retreats run in conjunction with SOUL Centre based in Titirangi. Conference organisers will
be able to include aspects of wellness into their program and the addition of the Wairau Day Spa will
enhance both the corporate and leisure guest experience.

Reg Nevill-Jackson says “the timing is right for a fresh approach with the property. Built by my parents and
completed in the 1980’s the hotel has grown into an iconic conference and wedding venue for the region,
along with being a popular leisure destination which has the added benefit of being in one of New
Zealand’s most beautiful natural and rainforest settings”.

Capstone Hotels Managing Director Clare Davies says, “we are privileged to have Waitakere Resort and Spa
come under our managed portfolio and we are excited to be able to take the property to the next level on
behalf of the Nevill-Jackson family”.

Capstone Hotels & Resorts work with 14 properties located throughout New Zealand along with a number of activity
operators.

Media enquiries:
Reg Nevill-Jackson – 09 814 9622
Clare Davies – 027 447 6386

At JetPark Hotels, we’re more than just a place to stay, we’re a proudly Kiwi-owned, family-run hotel group with three welcoming locations in Auckland, Hamilton, and Rotorua!

Whether you’re here for business, a stopover, or an event, our warm hospitality and thoughtful touches ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.

We don’t just host guests, we want to be a part of your story. Here’s more about what each of our hotels has to offer:

• JetPark Auckland Airport Hotel & Conference Centre – Located just five minutes from the airport, offering modern rooms, a late night bar and versatile event spaces, perfect for meetings and conferences. Book your stay here.
• JetPark Hotel Hamilton Airport – A peaceful retreat just steps from the terminal, with lush green spaces, delicious locally sourced cuisine and bar, and convenient parking, perfect for both work and relaxation. Book your stay here.
• JetPark Hotel Rotorua – Located in the heart of the city, blending comfort with culture. Enjoy unique artwork, complimentary breakfast at Te Purū Café & Bar, and easy access to Rotorua’s famous attractions. Book your stay here.

Wherever you stay, with us you’ll find genuine hospitality, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home!

New Year’s Resolution Draws the Line Against Predators, The Rees Joins the ‘Frankton Traps’ Family in 2020

The Rees Hotel  as part of its ongoing company-wide commitment to sustainability and the environment has joined the newest addition to the local urban trapping movement family.

It’s now a funder of the ‘Frankton Traps’ group – an extension to the burgeoning trapping line drawn around Lake Wakatipu.

The rollout is part of a wider Queenstown predator free project run by the Wakatipu Wildlife Trust.

As part of its sponsorship, the luxury lakefront property has helped install five brand new DOC200 traps in the last twenty four hours. Ultimately 50 will be deployed around the track.

“We wanted to build on ways to restore our natural environment. I reached out to the Trust to see how we could help. Together we’ll achieve such a positive impact by regenerating the local bird population and forest through this initiative,” says Katharina Graf, Human Resources Manager at The Rees Hotel.

The traps will target stoats and rats that prey on the local native bird population. They’ll be cleared fortnightly by a team of 20 community volunteers.

Each wooden box is screwed shut, opened only with the correct screwdriver. No poison is contained in the discretely hidden traps that meet all the safety requirements of Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Graf says the traps are humane and compliant with standards set by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). While being big enough to let predator targets in, they’re small enough to exclude domestic animals.

“Pets can’t physically fit into the tiny hole at the entrance to the trap. Nor fit in the next cavity which requires turning a corner,” she says.

Dawn Palmer, an Ecologist and Environmental Consultant for the Trust says, “what I’ve noticed with this predator free movement is it’s another reason for the community to come together with a common goal towards protecting their back yard.”

“When you pair trapping up with the restoration of plants which The Rees has also been doing, the birds come back. We’re going to see more and more of them.”

Internationally The Rees has been recognised by Skål, part of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation for its responsible tourism practices.

Last year for the third time running, it retained another 5 Star Grade – Hotel Qualmark and Gold Tourism Business Sustainability Award.

ENDS

For media enquiries contact:

Sarah Sparks

MarkomPR Ltd

Mobile: 021 318813

Email: sarah.sparks@markompr.com

Queenstown tourism operator targets premium visitor market with business growth

A well-established Queenstown tour operator is taking a new direction in response to changes in overseas markets and dynamics.

Alpine Luxury Tours, based in Queenstown, is a family-owned and operated business with family connections to Queenstown and the wider Otago region dating back nearly 60 years.

Founder Lee Saunders has a passion for showing people the New Zealand he knows and loves, and that’s evident to all who meet him.

Having grown up in and around Queenstown, he knows the region like the back of his hand, and prides himself on enabling his guests to experience the best of New Zealand in the most private way.

“We have always been about authentic, exclusive experiences thanks to the key relationships we’ve built up over the years,” he says.

“Because of our local connections we have exclusive access to areas where no other companies set foot. If a guest wants to exclusively book out a popular local restaurant, or visit somewhere and not see another soul, then we’re the ones to make it happen.

“We’re seeing an increase in the FIT premium visitor market which doesn’t show any signs of slowing down soon, so we’ve re-branded as Alpine Luxury Tours to focus on the key emerging markets of South East Asia and to cater for Western market growth.”

Mr Saunders says New Zealand now has a high standard of suppliers and partners enabling his company to work consistently at the premium end of the market, a far cry from stale, repetitive itineraries.

“Thanks to these partners we can attract business to superb exclusive locations and know that they will have a consistently outstanding experience at every level.”

The business started operating in 2011 and Lee says growth has been “very rapid”.

“It’s hard work but very rewarding, and working with long-term guides who also have great relationships and inside knowledge means we can customise any adventure at a moment’s notice, and often do!”

Alpine Luxury Tours specialises in privately-guided day experiences for sightseeing, private wine experiences, and hiking or heli-hiking and heli-experiences to some of the most unique, stunning and exclusive parts of Queenstown, Fiordland and Mount Cook National Park.

For further media information or high-res imagery please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR

E: Fiona@southernpr.co.nz

M: 0274 313 270

Kiwi kids are asking New Zealanders and our international visitors to look after our home in a new Tiaki campaign.

The summer campaign is the latest phase of the Tiaki – Care for New Zealand initiative which actively encourages all travellers to act as guardians of Aotearoa. It encourages care for land, sea and nature, travelling with an open heart and mind, considering others and respecting culture.

The assets for the new campaign will be available for you to download and use in Tourism New Zealand’s visual library

Carbon Free Ziplining is now official at Ziptrek Ecotours – Queenstown

Queenstown’s Ziptrek Ecotours is stoked to be celebrating Christmas early with the announcement it’s the first Queenstown company to achieve Zero Carbon Business for 2019.

The news follows an independent assessment of Ziptrek’s last financial year by Ekos, a non-profit enterprise developing carbon projects to grow and protect indigenous forests in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

This end of year achievement flows into the company’s 2020 plan as it transforms into a Future-Fit business, a global and open-sourced sustainability framework for business. Future-Fit measures Ziptrek’s capacity to be environmentally restorative, economically inclusive and socially just, relating back to the UN Development Goals.

Celebrating a decade in business, Ziptrek Ecotours is already renowned as a pioneering eco-tourism company founded on strong principles of sustainability and conservation for which it has won many awards.

This latest achievement follows a year of measuring and offsetting the carbon footprint of its business operations with certified carbon credits, in this case contributing to the Rarakau Rainforest Conservation Project in Southland.

The project is the closest of its kind currently available to Queenstown businesses, and is used for conservation management and landowner community development in Southland.

Ziptrek is working with Ekos to support a project closer to home in 2020.

To help develop its carbon performance, Ziptrek has been ensuring all travel on flights with Air New Zealand are offset in line with their FlyNeutral carbon offset programme.  It has also switched to electricity retailer Ecotricity which is 49% community owned, 100% renewable and also certified carbon neutral, to further increase its ‘green’ partnerships.

The 5000-plus trees, shrubs and grasses that the company has planted over the past ten years on its zipline site at Gondola Hill or around the local area, thanks to the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust, are a bonus.

“They’re not included in this scientific calculation as they’re not certified for carbon, but in our mind they’re a huge bonus for the birds, bugs and biosphere in our local context,” says Ziptrek Ecotours company director Trent Yeo.

“We’re looking closely at other ways to continue to reduce our carbon emissions, such as reducing the need to travel in the first instance.

“We’re undertaking webinar training sessions rather than travelling to certain events and we reward our staff for biking to work rather than driving.

“For Ziptrek, this is an additional layer of robustness to what we’ve been doing for the past ten years, and our customers know their zipline adventure in Queenstown will be carbon free.

“As well as being the first company in Queenstown to achieve Zero Carbon, we will be the second business in New Zealand to become Future-Fit certified, and do so behind tourism giant Tourism Holdings Limited, high five to them,” says Trent.

To celebrate its zero carbon status, Ziptrek has produced a T-shirt with a graphic created by Ed Hawkins, depicting the rate of warming in different countries around the world from 1901 to 2018.

The ‘Show Your Stripes With Ziptrek’ T-shirt shows the temperature variation of Aotearoa over time and is locally-printed in Queenstown on organic cotton.

For further media information please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR

E: fiona@southernpr.co.nz

M: 0274 313 270

Full speed ahead for Millbrook Resort’s latest golf and housing development

Five years of planning is coming to fruition for Queenstown’s award-winning Millbrook Resort, developing a new golf course complemented by two high-end residential neighbourhoods.

Back in 2014 the Overseas Investment Office approved Millbrook’s purchase of 67 hectares of the former Dalgleish Farm land on its western boundary.

Seventeen months after site clearance started on the $50m development now known as Mill Farm, it’s full speed ahead as the course takes shape and building platforms are developed for 42 building sites — averaging around 2000m2– on two distinct sites within the farm.

A large upper plateau called The Grand Terrace is home to 24 sites, situated among undulating hills and natural rock formations with outstanding panoramic views over fairways and pastoral lands to the mountains that ring the famed Wakatipu Basin.

Nestled on the lower elevation, Willow Glen sites are taking shape alongside tees and fairways of nine new holes that will form part of the re-designed Coronet 18 course.

They boast north-facing outlooks over an enhanced Mill Stream which has been widened to create larger waterways bounded by wildlife zones.

Willow Glen and The Grand Terrace are surrounded by over 20 hectares of working farmland.

Work is nearing completion on rebuilding the historic woolshed which has been moved from its original location to a paddock adjoining Malaghans Road, on the northern boundary of the farm.

An historic cottage on the site will be restored and enhanced with sympathetic additions connected to this original stone cottage, which will eventually be for sale as part of a trophy site.

The golf course will be fully ‘sown out’ by the end of January next year, with cart path construction and bunkers filled during the grow-in phase before being playable by Spring 2021.

Following work to relocate the original Arrow Irrigation Scheme pipework which originally ran across the land, a new irrigation lake has been beautifully integrated into the course layout.

It is sensationally picturesque, with a jetty jutting out into the water that will be a photographer’s dream.

The new course boasts what Millbrook believes to be the highest commercial golf tee in the country at 480m above sea level.

With summer underway there are around 40 contractors on site on any given day, and Millbrook Director of Property and Development Ben O’Malley says it’s “thrilling” to see just how quickly Mill Farm is coming to life.

“When it’s something we’ve envisioned for this long, it’s extremely rewarding to see it take shape and become a reality,” he says.

“The design of the course plays through impressive ice-sculptured canyons and valleys, transitioning through a grazed paddock before returning alongside Mill Stream.

The typology of the land and clever design means that on many of the holes, houses are hidden from view.

All building platforms have been thoughtfully integrated so that each has a unique view over outstanding tee, fairways, mountain or rural views, or all of the above!”

The new development will add nine new golf holes to Millbrook’s current world-class 27-hole offering, meaning two full 18-hole courses will operate when it opens – the Coronet and the Remarkables courses.

The new development will retain a rural, agrarian feel thanks to the rustic open farm areas scattered around the course, including the high hillocks that form a natural western geographical ‘end point’.

Development of Mill Farm is the latest chapter in an ongoing success story of golf course and property development for Millbrook Resort.

While Mill Farm properties are not yet being marketed, Millbrook recorded total property sales of $45m for its financial year ending September 30 2019.

Sales of the Residences On Dalgleish have been outstanding.

The collection of five magnificent homes masterfully designed by Mason and Wales Architects is adjacent to the green expanses of the fourth and seventh fairways of the current Coronet Nine.

Of the three currently under construction, two have sold, one for a Millbrook record of $5.45million.

The third is being developed as a show home expected to open in March next year, the first in show home over 12 months.

The Frontiers, a home and land release of eight properties on Ploughmans and Wheatsheaf lanes, have also sold well this year, with six sold off the plans.

Just nine titled land-only parcels remain available at Fairway Heights and Fairway Crest with some magnificent homes being constructed on those already sold.

“It’s rewarding to see continued investment in Millbrook and our way of life by purchasers, and our earliest indications are that Mill Farm will be highly sought-after when it comes to market in autumn next year,” says Mr O’Malley.

ENDS 

For further media information or high res images please contact:

Ben O’Malley                                                                       Fiona Woodham

Director – Property and Development                          Director

Millbrook                                                                              Southern PR Ltd

021 397 608                                                                          0274 313 270

ben@millbrook.co.nz                                                        Fiona@southernpr.co.nz