NEW CALEDONIA - THE NEW DESTINATION FOR A PERFECT WEDDING

 11 June 2009: - Kiwi couples can now look to the beautiful islands of New Caledonia for their perfect wedding destination, since laws were passed allowing visitors to have their ceremonies officially recognised.

The number of Kiwis heading to the Pacific to exchange vows has surged in recent years, particularly as package costs have declined and the concept of a wedding and holiday in one has become an affordable option.

The new law enables any couple to apply for a wedding licence in New Caledonia.

Karen Priest from New Caledonia Tourism says the law change is an exciting opportunity to open up the destination to more people who are looking for a location close to home but want something a little bit different.

“A French style wedding in a South Pacific island paradise is the best of both worlds, and it’s all less than three hours from Auckland,” she says.

Le Meridien Noumea, which is very popular with Kiwi visitors, has a wedding chapel facility, as does the 4 star L’Escapade Hotel, famous for its beautiful overwater bungalows.

L’Escapade’s New Zealand representative, Lesley Perrie, says the hotel is “delighted” that the change has come about and is in the process of producing wedding packages and a wedding brochure.”

“New Caledonia is the closest Pacific Island nation to New Zealand, and has so much to offer,” she says. “There are fantastic flight deals to take advantage of, French culture, high standard hotels and picture-perfect island surroundings.”

FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:

Karen Priest
Manager - New Zealand
New Caledonia Tourism
Ph: (09) 307 5257
Email: k.priest@nctps.com
 

Melanie Pohl
Public Relations Manager
The Media Counsel PR
Ph (09) 361 8713
Email: mpohl@mediacounsel.co.nz

ABOUT NEW CALEDONIA:

Located in the heart of the South Pacific, 2.5 hours from New Zealand, New Caledonia is a large archipelago over 500kms in length, composed principally of the mainland, Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands. It is surrounded by an immense coral reef, protecting it and creating a superb lagoon - the largest in the world and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. New Caledonia is an Overseas Territory of France.

For more information about New Caledonia, please visit www.newcaledonia.co.nz