384 posts | 65 images
All Black coach Graham Henry has revealed his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup - 17 days out from kick-off.
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He’s just ticked off his 101st birthday celebration, and New Zealand health pioneer, Claude Stratford, is still a walking advertisement for the natural bee products he’s made world famous.
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Multiple award winning Chinese actress, Yao Chen has become Tourism New Zealand's new brand ambassador in mainland China.
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Tourism New Zealand China Market Development Coordinator Cici Huang was recognised last week when she was awarded the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO) 2011 Tourism Training Ambassador Award at the Inbound Tour Operators Council (ITOC) Annual Conference in Tauranga.
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Despite continued growth from parts of Asia, international arrivals into New Zealand fell by 3.7 per cent during July 2011 to 176,084 when compared to the same month in 2010 (182,904), Statistics New Zealand figures released on Friday, 19 August show.
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Eager fans flock to New Zealand to discover the mythical landscapes of Narnia - immortalised in the film adaptations of CS Lewis famed 1950s 'Chronicles of Narnia' series.
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Kiwi singer songwriter Elizabeth Marvelly’s career has taken her around the world, but it’s her New Zealand home that has inspired her latest musical journey.
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Good Vibes, Nelson 17 - 21 August, 2011 A free falling frenzy of sky diving flair is filling the skies above Motueka this week as New Zealand’s largest annual sky diving event celebrates a decade in the air.
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True fans believe that rugby is art so it should be no surprise to find that the game has also inspired some significant new art installations for Rugby World Cup 2011.
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New Zealand has once again transformed into Middle-earth as Kiwi filmmaker Peter Jackson puts the spotlight on The Hobbit - one of the biggest movies ever to be made down-under.
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Offshore ticket sales indicate that New Zealand will welcome 95,000 international visitors - a rise of 10,000 from earlier predictions - for Rugby World Cup 2011, according to the Tournament organisers.
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New Zealand's rich rugby heritage has a new 21st century face with the reopening of the NZ Rugby Museum, in Palmerston North, today (11.08.11).
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100% Pure NZ Winter Games 13 - 28 August, 2011 New Zealand's southern winter slopes are a-buzz with high adrenalin activity as international snow and ice sports stars take their places for the second 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games due to start on Saturday (13.08.11).
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Tourism New Zealand has welcomed Rugby New Zealand forecasts that 95,000 international visitors are anticipated to visit New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011 - 10,000 more than recent estimates.
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Spending by international visitors was down 6.5 per cent to $5,564 billion for the year ending June 2011, according to the Ministry of Economic Development's International Visitor Survey released on Tuesday.
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Free online training for Rugby World Cup 2011 is now available for customer-facing organisations such as hotels greeting visitors.
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i-SITE New Zealand is inviting tourism operators to get involved in a new marketing campaign titled 'The Question' and timed for Rugby World Cup 2011.
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The best of Kiwi music will sound throughout the country during the Rugby World Cup when 50 top bands play 22 different cities as part of a REAL New Zealand Music Showcase tour.
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Recent changes to travel visa application processes for visitors from China are set to make travel between China and New Zealand easier.
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With 45 days and counting to the beginning of Rugby World Cup 2011, accommodation operators are reminded of a dedicated Rugby accommodation booking web page providing free listings.
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Three i-SITE 100% Pure welcome champions were honoured at the recent i-SITE Conference for displaying outstanding customer service.
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Tourism New Zealand is partnering with Auckland Airport and Thai Airways International to target free independent travellers and incentive visit groups to New Zealand during July-November 2011.
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Kiwi Link India 2011 will take place in New Delhi and Mumbai between 1-5 August with two days of workshops in each city.
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Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are working together to attract North American tourists into New Zealand during September and October.
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International arrivals into New Zealand fell by 10.0 per cent during June 2011 to 131,269 when compared to the same month in 2010 (145,825) on the back of disruptions caused by the Chilean ash cloud, Statistics New Zealand figures released today show.
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Sirocco, the rare New Zealand kākāpō parrot whose frisky behaviour with a BBC television crew propelled him to global stardom, will make some cameo appearances during Rugby World Cup.
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First there were celebrity dolphins and an accident-prone kiwi.
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A wintry blast has dumped a deep snow blanket across New Zealand’s mountains over the past week, leaving ski fields in the north and south in superb shape for the winter season.
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QUEENSTOWN — On 14 July 1789 the people of Paris stormed the Bastille and now, 221 years later, the French are coming to do battle in Queenstown.
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New Zealand’s luxury tourism sector has received another vote of approval from international travellers with two exclusive properties awarded top world rankings.
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CHRISTCHURCH — A Tiffany diamond bracelet - found wrapped in a sock - and a shoe collection are among precious items returned to grateful overseas owners after being recovered from earthquake-hit Christchurch, New Zealand hotels.
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The ‘Robertson Promised Gift’ - a private art collection owned by billionaire New Zealand luxury lodge owners, the Robertson family - is to go on show for the first time at the newly refurbished Auckland Art Gallery.
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With 59 day to go before Rugby World Cup 2011 gets underway, a major new Tourism New Zealand marketing campaign has been launched in Australia to promote New Zealand as a destination during tournament time and encourage people to travel for the Tournament.
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Errol Hunt, an author for Lonely Planet has visited Chirstchurch city following the February earthquake.
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Tourism New Zealand has won the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) National Travel Industry Award for Best Tourist Office - International.
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The annual i-SITE New Zealand Conference concluded today with a motivating reminder by Prime Minister John Key about the opportunities surrounding Rugby World Cup 2011 and the important role of the i-SITEs in delivering an outstanding tournament experience for 85,000 international visitors.
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Tourism New Zealand's consumer Facebook page - New Zealand 100% Pure - has surpassed 400,000 likes.
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The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 held between 13-28 August will showcase New Zealand as a winter market destination.
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Whale watching is a year-round pastime in New Zealand but come winter, the popular activity takes on a more serious role, and this year a busy migration period is providing valuable data as well as entertainment.
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CHRISTCHURCH — A Tiffany diamond bracelet - found wrapped in a sock - and a lady traveller's precious shoe collection are among items returned to grateful owners after being recovered from earthquake-hit Christchurch hotels.
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Skiers and snowboarders are clapping their gloved hands and kicking up their snow boots - kei te heke te hukapapa / it is snowing - and the New Zealand ski season is underway.
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A New Zealand homecoming that’s been 130 years in the making will see a famous wharenui or carved meeting house returned to its rightful place in one of the most significant Māori cultural happenings of modern times.
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Māori Language Week 2011 4 - 10 July, 2011 Kiwis across New Zealand are talking up their language and hospitality skills as they join in the annual Māori Language Week (4 - 10 July 2011).
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With 85,000 international visitors in the country, Rugby World Cup will showcase New Zealand to a global audience of discerning travellers - and, away from the rugby field, it’s Kiwi food and wine that’s likely to attract the most sustained interest.
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OTAGO — Shrek the New Zealand sheep that lived a hermit’s life in South Island high country and died an international celebrity, is likely to find a resting place at Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand.
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CENTRAL PLATEAU — A Mt Ruapehu and Tourism New Zealand promotion in Australia for a one day ski deal on a daily special offer web site has achieved unprecedented interest.
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QUEENSTOWN — Queenstown - New Zealand’s adventure capital - is being painted in a different light with a new soft tourism experience that combines art and the outdoors, and gives visitors something special to take home.
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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand’s Auckland Town Hall has resonated to some sweet sounds in its 100-year history, and the latest buzz involves a group of busy locals who seem set to stick around for a while.
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A New Zealand garden transported to the other side of the earth for the world famous Chelsea Flower show has not only won a silver medal, but also the royal stamp of approval from the Queen.
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The 18 Great Rides of Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail, have gone global with a new website launched at Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (TRENZ) - the tourism industry expo currently being held in Queenstown.
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WAIRARAPA — A rare all-white kiwi, thought to be the first ever bred in captivity, has hatched at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre in Wairarapa - exciting conservationists and New Zealand Maori who believe it is a special omen.
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International arrivals into New Zealand increased by 5.2 percent during April 2011 to 197,777, when compared to the same month in 2010, Statistics New Zealand figures released, Friday, show.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Preparations are on-track for an estimated 500-strong convention of travel writers to be held in Wellington in November, with organisers reporting the fastest ever uptake on registrations.
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Increased spending by all international visitors in the first quarter of 2011 helped alleviate a 6.1 per cent fall for the full year to March, according to the Ministry of Economic Development's International Visitor Survey, released this week.
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TAUPO — The Lake Track cycle trail along the western shores of Lake Taupo has received a cash injection in the final stage of becoming one of the 18 Great Rides of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.
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May is New Zealand Music Month, the annual celebration of home-grown talent, which this year is about to expose some of the country’s best-known singers who’ve yet to record a chart-topping hit.
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Staff at some of New Zealand's busiest i-SITE Visitor Information Centres will soon be able to boost their knowledge of Māori tourism as part of a new training programme.
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New Zealand’s tourism industry will be on show to the world next week at TRENZ - Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand - in the southern resort town of Queenstown.
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Astronauts who are more used to viewing New Zealand from space will conduct a voyage of discovery with a difference this week when they step onto Kiwi soil as part of an ‘inner space’ mission.
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CHRISTCHURCH — New Zealand's leading airport transfer service, Super Shuttle, has joined forces with South Island Iwi, Ngai Tahu, to inspire kiwis everywhere to take part in a super-sized haka and send a powerful message of strength and support to the people of Christchurch.
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A super-sized Māori haka, staged simultaneously in New Zealand’s four main cities, will unite Kiwis in sending a powerful message of strength and support for the people of Christchurch.
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Glow worms, great food, black water rafting and bungy jumping have left US pop star Katy Perry raving and in love with New Zealand after her first visit.
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Auckland's on 'Cloud' nine, Wellington’s launching a waka, Nelson’s taking a long Italian lunch, Bluff’s reserving the juiciest oysters, Westland’s celebrating whitebait, and wineries all over New Zealand are dusting off their vintage best.
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WANAKA — The world’s top snow and ice sports athletes are due to descend on New Zealand’s Southern Alps again this winter, for 16 days of cool action in the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games. The southern hemisphere’s biggest winter sports event will involve more than 1000 athletes from 30 nations who’ll compete in 38 events representing 22 different winter sports.
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A range of innovative tourism offerings demonstrating unique kiwi experiences were on show in Seattle at Kiwi Link North America 2011.
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International arrivals into New Zealand fell by 27,710 (down 11.4 per cent) in March 2011, compared to the same month in 2010, Statistics New Zealand figures released today show.
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BLUFF — Mouths are watering in anticipation of the annual Bluff Oyster & Food Festival celebrating the seasonal harvest of the succulent shellfish that have made New Zealand’s most southern town world famous.
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QUEENSTOWN — Queenstown Winter Festival, 24 June - 3 July 2011.
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Pacific maritime history floated to the fore on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour yesterday (15.4.11) as a fleet of traditional waka prepared to set sail on a 27,000km ocean voyage that will carry a modern message via ancient means.
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WELLINGTON — Sir Peter Jackson is fulfilling his promise to keep fans up with behind-the-scenes action of The Hobbit - currently being shot in New Zealand - by releasing a revealing video diary on his Facebook page.
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QUEENSTOWN — New Zealand is shaping up to be the big winner from exposure to a massive audience after top rating American TV show The Biggest Loser chose to shoot their latest episodes in the country.
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While the traditional Kiwi food experience is often around casual outdoor dining, New Zealand is fast developing a reputation for fine cuisine and high-end foodie events and destinations.
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QUEENSTOWN — Already considered the tourism jewel of New Zealand’s South Island - Queenstown has now been crowned top spot for television commercials with a bumper number of big-budget shoots in the region this year.
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New Zealand is to host another major global sporting event having won the rights to host the 2015 FIFA U-20 football World Cup - which will be watched by more than 500 million fans worldwide.
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AUCKLAND — An island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, closed to the public for almost 100 years and harbouring a fascinating history has re-opened providing boaties and day-trippers with a unique destination.
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CHRISTCHURCH — Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton.
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Talented Kiwi filmmakers have been showcasing the beauty of New Zealand this week, at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (4 - 12 February 2011).
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Award winning New Zealand director Sir Peter Jackson’s much awaited movie The Hobbit will begin shooting in Middle-earth - New Zealand next month (March 2011).
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MASTERTON — A long awaited new conservation experience has opened, where visitors will have the chance to get up close and personal with New Zealand’s iconic native bird - the kiwi.
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CHRISTCHURCH — As the official gateway to Antarctica, Christchurch New Zealand has developed strong links with the great white continent that have gone well beyond being the stepping-off point for expeditions.
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Chinese tourists flying to New Zealand will soon have increased and easier access with a new air service between Guangzhou, in southern China, and Auckland.
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New Zealand has been named as number two of the top nine destinations for 2011 by global broadcasting network CNN - coming in just behind New York.
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From Middle-earth to Minnesota, Manchester, Mumbai and everywhere in-between, J.R.R.
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Ticket sales for Rugby World Cup 2011 have exceeded expectations and with nine months to go until kick off, New Zealand is already counting on an influx of at least 85,000 international visitors.
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Already world famous for their dubious sexual conduct - New Zealand’s rare kākāpō parrots are in the news again with a pack of "studs" facing deportation after becoming victims of their own success with the ladies.
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New Zealand’s reputation as one of the world’s top surfing spots has been future-proofed by new legislation that protects the country’s most famous breaks.
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ROTORUA — Scientists plan to search a lake in New Zealand’s volcanic region for traces of the long lost Pink and White Terraces - famed as the eighth wonder of the world before being buried by a volcanic eruption.
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CANTERBURY — The first of New Zealand’s ‘Great Rides’ - a national cycle trail project showcasing some of the country’s most spectacular cycling destinations - will open tomorrow (20.11.2010).
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AUCKLAND CITY — A New Zealand short film that tells a tale from the WWI trenches has won top honours - for the second time - in an international festival for animation and digital media.
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CHRISTCHURCH — The Martin Jetpack, a New Zealand invention that is close to realising man’s dream of conquering personal flight, has made Time magazine’s Top 50 Best Inventions List.
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AKAROA — A camera has captured a rare close encounter with nature - a spyhopping dolphin in New Zealand waters that has created one tourist’s never-to-be-forgotten travel experience.
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NORTHLAND — New Zealand’s Northland region is enjoying the international tourism spotlight having won a series of significant awards for the best coastline, dive spot and luxury lodges in the world.
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WELLINGTON CITY — The New Zealand film industry has been given another major boost with news that two sequels to the world's biggest movie, Avatar, are set to be made in Wellington.
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WAIKATO — International visitors at the World Rowing Championships have been treated to some unique action on New Zealand's Lake Karapiro - from an historic fleet of Māori waka at the opening ceremony to fierce challenge in the first days of competition.
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'Live at the Islands' summer concert series December 2010 / February 2011 The sound of New Zealand songbirds will be amplified on some island sanctuaries this summer with a series of musical events that combine concerts with conservation.
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The Hobbit will stay home in Middle Earth after a deal that confirms Sir Peter Jackson’s much-awaited prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' is to be filmed in New Zealand.
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HAWKE'S BAY — Take three of the world’s top chefs, give them some first class New Zealand wine and food and put them together at one of the top 20 hideaways on earth, and it’s no wonder The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is being credited with pulling off a major coup.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Knives will be out this weekend at Auckland’s SKYCITY as top chefs from around the globe fly in for one of New Zealand’s most glamorous food and wine events.
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OTAGO — New Zealand’s wildlife-rich South Island region of Otago is about to welcome its first wild kiwi for almost 140 years - but not just any kiwi, these are the critically endangered Haast tokoeka.
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