A growing number of “foodies” are choosing vacation destinations as much based on the gastronomy of the area as the history, culture, art or beachfront locations. The focus on cuisine doesn’t stop at dining; it also includes cooking. In New Zealand, food loving Kiwis provide a range of opportunities throughout the country that let visitors play with their food (usually while drinking excellent New Zealand wine).

Starting in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, the Auckland Fish Market offers visitors a chance to: “Look. Cook. Eat.” At their Seafood School, the country’s infatuation with all things saltwater is interactively celebrated. In this cooking school, students roll up their sleeves to create a fabulous seafood meal under the direction of world-class chefs. Once the cooking is complete, everyone in the class then sits down and eats, accompanied by a glass of lovely wine. The school is housed in the Fish Market building, a seafood mecca. Along with the Seafood School, the building hosts a variety of fresh seafood retailers, a boutique food market, restaurants, cafés and exceptional wine bars.

In Rotorua, which showcases one of the world’s most lively fields of geothermal activities, foodies can enjoy a special walk on the wild side at Treetops Lodge & Estate. The full and half-day Wild Food Cooking Experiences pair visitors with a knowledgeable Maori Chef, who takes them through an interactive wilderness walk to gather native ingredients for the upcoming meal. Guests discover the treasures of the forest, including tangy kawakawa and peppery horopito. Then, it’s back to the spectacular lodge to sit at the bar in the beautifully designed kitchen, with a glass of wine, to watch what has been gathered transform into garnishes and a range of unique flavourings for gourmet dishes with Treetops’ own trout, game birds, reared venison and wild pork.

The Ruth Pretty Cooking School takes visitors on a relaxed food journey that includes special guests such as top chefs and food personalities and ends with a long, leisurely lunch at their beautiful rural property in Te Horo, an hour away from the capital city of Wellington. Under sun umbrellas, students savour every dish from the class (with matching wines).

Located on the South Island, just an hour’s drive from Christchurch, the Akaroa Cooking School was recently named one of the top ten places in the world to learn to cook local cuisine, by Lonely Planet. In the beautiful seaside town of Akaroa, students learn to cook using the freshest, finest quality local produce. Each dish is matched with award-winning local wines and served with a fun and indulgent approach to eating, sharing and making new friends.

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca) has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. Qantas (www.qantas.com) also offers flights from many Canadian and U.S. gateways.

For more information about New Zealand, please visit: www.NewZealand.com

Seafood School – http://www.afm.co.nz/school.php

Wild Food Cooking Experience – http://www.treetops.co.nz/cuisine/wildfoodcooking.html

Ruth Pretty Cooking School – http://www.ruthpretty.co.nz/cookingschool.aspx/cooking-school

Akaroa Cooking School – http://www.akaroacooking.co.nz/

Green Tourism is a popular buzzword in the travel industry, and everyone is getting on board in one way or another. Every hotel boasts evidence of some sort of environmental conscience, but many have been accused of “greenwashing,” meaning that they are only paying lip service to the public interest in environmental sustainability. Today I had the opportunity to tour some of the authentically environmentally sustainable properties in Wellington, New Zealand, and to speak with the city’s forward-thinking mayor, Celia Wade-Brown, who joined our small contingency of members of SATW* at the local zoo to tell us more about the green aspects and strategies of Wellington, which is New Zealand’s capital. Ms Wade-Brown is famously known to have cycled to Wellington airport to meet Hillary Clinton, an incident she laughingly referred to as “one of the top ten cycling events in the U.S.”

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown 

The following are some of the facts we learned about the environmental strategy Wellington has in place:

Wellington has a bus system that goes from the airport. The cost varies by distance and day passes can be purchased and there is huge community support for public transport.

There are 365 kilometers of walkway in the city that ranks fifth in the world on the Mercer Eco City Index. The one person/one car concept is a minority one here. Wellington offers some modest grants to those that want to transition to more sustainable energy systems.

26% of people walk to work and there are a lot of hybrid cars in the taxi fleets. The Qualmark system for environmental assessment is in place with a graded system. There are wind farms to the west of the city that generate a great deal of electricity and they have been planned to be out of the way of the flight paths of birds, thus not disrupting the ecology.

The zoo was the first organization to attain the standard of sustainability and a ten year restructuring plan is now underway to continue this. They have won many awards for conservation and sustainability  and aim to develop creative digital industries to contribute to a low carbon, “weightless” economy.

A couple of hotels have paid a great deal of attention to being environmentally sustainable in numerous ways. The YHA is a budget conscious youth hostel, and Ohtel is more upmarket and located in one of the city’s prime waterfront areas.

SOME FACTS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

The YHA Youth Hotel:

YHA Wellington City

The hostel has 320 beds and is a part of Hostelling International.

60 students come through each year and are shown responsible tourism practices.

The students then design a sustainable program for a property and come back with a case study. The best one is rewarded by YHA.

A not for profit charitable organization that does 87,000 beds a year.

A feature is a guest laundry room. The washers are front loading that saves 40 liters of water per wash. The detergent is dispensed automatically, good because they can use the biodegradable type and control the amounts. There is no wastage from small packets also. It’s on the top or 6th floor for a reason. First of all, everyone gets to enjoy the view of the waterfront, and also dryers can be vented upwards and not at street level. Many backpackers huddle along the window area to enjoy the free wifi the city offers just outside.

$29.00 a room per night for the 6 bed room with a shared bathroom. 6 bed room with ensuite facilities is $33.00.  4 bed rooms are the same price. Private rooms double and twin with shared bathrooms are $85.00 per room per night.

7 premium double ensuite rooms are $120 per night.,

There are over 250 sustainable features in the building. Thermal lined curtains, most windows are double glazed to retain heat.

Heating is on the ceiling, which doesn’t take space and is good to direct down as heat rises.

Heating is switched off in the summer months. It’s a very warm building. They try to limit the possibility of bedbugs by using mattresses without flaps and lips, for example.

Recycling bins are on each floor including disposal of batteries. They are sent to Interwaste.

The clothing that is left is given to local charities. There is one rubbish bin in each room and the housekeeping staff actually separates it out for recycling afterwards. All the paint is water based and fluorescent tubes are recycled also. All of the taps are Aerated which uses less water and the shower heads are flowing less than ten liters of water per minute.

They hit the line between being environmentally sustainable and being a five star hostel. They are as environmentally conscious as possible while giving guests a good experience.

The first floor is all common, with kitchen, lounge and seating spaces. There is also a Grapevine, or area where people can leave notices between each other, or tips or anything at all.

The area is bright and cheerful with a friendly feel.

All of the lights in the washrooms are on motion sensors. The library has information to help people become educated about being a conscientious traveler.

A new heat pump hot water system will soon be installed on the roof. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15%. It will save twenty tons of emissions per year. Every piece of rubbish that leaves the building is weighed and monitored. 500 school groups a year come to stay, in order to continue the education with sustainability briefings.

They also plant 1400 trees per year at the Zoo.

Ohtel on Oriental Parade was designed and built by Alan Blundell. There are ten rooms that run a full recycling system. Amenities are in cornstarch refillable bottles and mid century furniture is used. Guests receive flip flops and note pads as amenities. Prices range from $265 to $565, depending on the time of year. They keep it very intimate, with only three main people there as the hosts. It’s right across from the Harbour in a beautiful area, so people select it not necessarily for its sustainability features.

The city supports innovations that can protect the economy against rapidly rising energy costs, and wind power and developing tidal technology are a part of renewable energy strategies. After touring a few of these facilities and witnessing their commitment to environmental sustainability, I could see that these efforts were quite authentic and there is tremendous interest in protecting the city and planet for healthy use far into the future.

* SATW is the Society of American Travel Writers.

The organization’s 56th annual convention is being held in Wellington, New Zealand.

For more information:

Www.wellington.govt.nz

Helicopter Wine Tour

Appellation Central Wine Tours in Queenstown has launched an exclusive half-day helicopter wine tour. The five-hour tour includes a scenic flight with an alpine landing, a cruise through the Gibbston Valley, and a landing at one of the vineyards. The tours, led by a knowledgeable local wine guide, visit three Gibbston vineyards and includes lunch at one of the venues.

www.appellationcentral.co.nz

Boutique Wine and Chocolate Tours

Central Otago Pinot Noir is served with a delicious twist at Gibbston Valley Winery, where the wine cave sets the scene for matching wine and chocolate. Taste the best Gibbston Valley current releases and reserves with handmade chocolates from boutique Arrowtown chocolatier, Patagonia Chocolates. Wine cave tours are by reservation only.

www.gibbstonvalleynz.com www.patagoniachocolates.co.nz

The Tour of New Zealand, taking place in April 2012, is an individual or team event open to international riders. It offers cyclists the opportunity to ride the length of either the North or South Island (around 435 miles) or as a relay team member taking on individual sections.

The seven day event will launch simultaneously from New Zealand’s northern and southern extremities, and follow a mix of dedicated national cycle routes and public roads through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery and significant tourist spots.

The course takes competitors on quiet country roads and cycleways through diverse New Zealand landscapes, and will include neutral time zone stops at iconic points so participants can make the most of their New Zealand tour.

The tour will terminate with the two groups meeting in Wellington for the eighth stage to determine the final placings with a large event on the grounds of the parliament buildings.

For More Information:

www.tourofnewzealand.co.nz

Canadians and New Zealanders have always had a special bond. We each have a much larger country that looms over us, we’re friendly, polite, self-deprecating and can be more than a little cheeky. And of course, people from both countries have shown a particular fondness for microbrew beer and great wine.

With the Rugby World Cup being held in New Zealand this year from September 9 to October 23, the Canuck-Kiwi connection is set to grow even stronger. The Canadian team will call the magnificent Art Deco city of Napier, located in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region, “home.”

One award-winning olive producer in Hawke’s Bay has even gone so far as to turn over a new leaf – a maple leaf that is. The staff at Telegraph Hill Olivery have chosen to support the Canadian team during Rugby World Cup as their second favourite team. In New Zealand, the All-Blacks always come first! They have also have created a fun, new olive product with a Canadian twist especially for the tournament. Instead of using their regular Manuka wood chips to smoke their olives, they have imported maple wood chips. The result is an olive that has a hint of sweet smoke with the tones of golden syrup and honey cured bacon – all in honour of the Canadian rugby team.

Always ready to take on the role of great hosts, Kiwis understand that as vital as the sport is to their nation, the party that goes with Rugby World Cup is equally important. With this in mind, the entire country will come alive with the REAL New Zealand Festival, which will bring the Rugby World Cup 2011 experience to life with a nationwide celebration of New Zealand art, food and wine, heritage, culture and entertainment. Visitors can plan their itineraries around following their favourite team and activities in those areas at RealNZFestival.com.

For visitors who are taking advantage of the opportunity to attend the world’s largest sporting event and party of 2011 (taking over the entire country of New Zealand), tickets for many matches – including Canada’s – are still available. To book your last-minute Rugby World Cup travel or to book a future New Zealand vacation, visit Goway.com.

For those who can’t make it there in person, the Canadian matches will be televised. The TSN broadcast schedule is:

September 14 – Tonga vs. Canada – 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT

September 18 – France vs. Canada – 4:30 a.m. ET / 1:30 a.m. PT

September 27 – Japan vs. Canada – 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT

October 2 – New Zealand vs. Canada – 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

For more information about New Zealand, please visit: www.NewZealand.com

Many people head to New Zealand for the breathtaking natural beauty, the fabulous wine or the chance to learn more about Maori culture. Always creative, Kiwis are coming up with even more reasons to visit with new and interesting accommodation throughout the country.

The top five unique places to stay in New Zealand are:

1. Experience Nature in a New World Villa

Nature lovers hoping to surround themselves with the majesty of the landscape can immerse themselves in it at Eagles Nest Villas, one of the country’s most stunning luxury accommodations. Located on the North Island’s Bay of Islands, Eagles Nest Villas offer visitors the opportunity to stay in a new world villa, providing unparalleled five-star service that makes each guest feel like old world royalty. Large windows open up to the sea and subtropical landscape, making visitors wonder if they aren’t starring in their own nature channel TV show. Whatever your wish at Eagles Nest, it’s just a request away. No wonder Season 13 of The Bachelor filmed its finale here.

2. Sleep in the Trees

Those looking for an experience that really is above it all will find something special at Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses in Kaikoura, on the country’s South Island. Built to complement the natural environment, the tree houses sit 30 feet above the ground in the middle of a native Manuka grove, offering spectacular views of Kaikoura’s majestic mountains and the dramatic surf of the Pacific coastline. These tree houses make visitors feel that they are on top of a very lush world.

3. Camp in Luxury

Accessible only by helicopter, Minaret Station offers an exceptional blend of rugged camping and lavish comfort. New Zealand’s first luxury tented camp is located in a spectacular glacial valley in the heart of the Southern Alps. Here, surrounded by dramatic landscape, guests can experience the view from the luxury of wall-to-wall sheepskin carpet, king beds, private decks and their own hot tub. The “Mountain Kitchen” provides a first-class chef, a dining room, living area and private guides are onsite to help make each stay memorable.

4. Getting Your Feet Wet

For those who want to spend time on the water, it doesn’t get any better than taking an overnight cruise to Doubtful Sound on the South Island. On the Fiordland Navigator, passengers cruise in and out of hidden coves and waterways, and are lulled to sleep after a delicious three-course meal – prepared by the onboard chef. Guests can explore the shoreline by kayak or take a swim. On this relaxing journey, bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and, sometimes, even rare penguins are spotted. The Fiordland Navigator is designed along the lines of a traditional sailing vessel and offers a range of modern comforts including spacious viewing decks, a dining lounge and a fully stocked bar.

5. Live Like Frodo

Last, but certainly not least, Woodlyn Park, near the Waitomo Caves on the North Island, offers The Lord of the Rings fans the opportunity to sleep the night away in a hobbit hole. While not a “real” hobbit hole, these self-contained units were inspired by the movies. They are size appropriate for people, not hobbits – who are much, much shorter than we are. (If chasing Bilbo Baggins in your dreams isn’t your style, you can also “choo choo” off to “slumberland” in a refurbished 1950s train rail car or count flying sheep while drifting off in either the cockpit or tail of an airplane – a 1950s Bristol Freighter.)

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca) has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. Qantas (www.qantas.com) also offers flights from many Canadian and U.S. gateways.

For more information about New Zealand, please visit: www.NewZealand.com

Eagles Nest – http://eaglesnest.co.nz/

Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses – http://www.hapukulodge.com/kaikoura/

Minaret Station – http://www.minaretstation.com/

Real Journeys – http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/DoubtfulSoundOvernightCruise/

Woodlyn Park – http://www.woodlynpark.co.nz/

“It’s snow time!” said Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt. “Everyone’s really fired up, people have been pouring into town and businesses are pumping. There’s always a real buzz when the snow comes in force, particularly when we get it downtown.

“The beauty of Queenstown is that you don’t have to be a skier or boarder to enjoy the winter season here. Our lake and mountain scenery is stunning, and there’s a huge range of things to do on and off the mountains for all ages and all budgets.

“Activities, from the wild to the mild, as well as cosmopolitan shopping, day spas, more than 150 restaurants and bars, award-winning vineyards, and budget to five-star accommodation options make Queenstown one of the world’s top holiday destinations no matter what the season or the weather.“

Snow storms have dumped up to two metres of fresh powder on the region’s six ski fields in just a week, and now blue skies are in the forecast for the start of the New Zealand school holidays.

Queenstown’s closest ski field Coronet Peak has received approximately 0.9m of snow in the past week, while ‘sister’ ski field The Remarkables has notched up 0.8m and has just opened its Shadow Basin terrain.

Cardrona Alpine Resort has received 1.15m of accumulated snow fall since opening day and today launched its new Valley View Quad chair.

Snow Park NZ has received 1.2m since opening on 30 June, while cross country ski area Snow Farm has also been blanketed with 1.2m of white gold.

Treble Cone ski area has been inundated with snow, receiving at least two metres in the last week (1.8m fell in the car park alone) and ski area staff are grooming and opening up new terrain daily.

The timing of the snowfall meant many Australians visiting Queenstown during their school holidays were able to make the most of it.

Mr Everitt said Queenstown was once again proving to be a “very attractive short-haul winter holiday destination for Australians” with more flights, attractive deals and positive exchange rates adding impetus to the already strong Australian visitor market.

Domestic and trans-Tasman flight schedules have been boosted into Queenstown for the winter season. There are now 30 trans-Tasman flights from Air New Zealand, Qantas, Pacific Blue and Jetstar flying direct into Queenstown each week as well as regular domestic connections from Air New Zealand and Jetstar.

To plan your trip to Queenstown, visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz

Travelling in New Zealand provides visitors with the opportunity for unique experiences that you can’t have anywhere else. Kiwis, the affectionate nickname for New Zealanders, are incredibly friendly and are known around the globe for their welcoming ways. Chat with a Kiwi and before you know it, chances are, they’re walking you to your destination, you’re visiting their favourite pub or you are at their house for dinner! Below is a list of the top five things you can only do in New Zealand.

See a Kiwi in its Natural Habitat

Seeing a kiwi bird is something that you can only do in New Zealand. The endangered bird is the country’s national symbol. Flightless and nocturnal, kiwis are the only birds that have nostrils on the end of their large beaks. While they may look quite cute, they can be fierce and are highly territorial. In Wellington, on the North Island, Zealandia has over 100 kiwis living at their eco-sanctuary. Their Zealandia by Night tour gives you a chance to see kiwis in their natural habitat foraging for food. On the South Island, Bravo Adventure Cruises’ Kiwi Spotting on Stewart Island tour also gives you a great opportunity to see kiwis in their natural environment.

See Where a Hobbit Lives

For fans of the Lord of the Rings movies, there has never been a better time to check out the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata on the North Island. Fans can take a guided tour of the incredible film set that showcases beautiful, completed hobbit holes, the pub and other icons that appear in the newest film – The Hobbit. This is unprecedented access to the Middle-earth location.

Take a Ride on the Steepest Tree-to-Tree Flying Fox in the World

Ziptrek Queenstown offers a range of ziplining tours. Their new Kea 6-Line Tour provides an adrenalin-filled opportunity to zipline down a hill for about a kilometer on the steepest tree-to-tree flying fox in the world. This thrill-seeking experience also includes a 20-minute guided hike through an ancient native beech forest.

Hang Out on the Beach with Gannets in Hawke’s Bay

The Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve is home to 20,000 gannets – the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. Known to Maori as “takapu,” these birds usually breed on islands; yet each year thousands of gannets are found on the mainland here. This unique experience can be reached by 4WD vehicles, tractor and trailer, four-wheel motorbike, and on foot at low tide.

Eat a Fergburger

If there is one thing Kiwis like as much as a glass of wine or a local microbrew, it’s food. New Zealand offers visitors the chance to have some incredible taste experiences – none better than Fergburger. The rapt attention people pay to eating these burgers backs up the local claim that these are the best burgers on the face of the planet. Based in Queenstown, this little burger joint only closes between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. and it’s always busy. Big, juicy burgers, great fries and a cult-like atmosphere of food love create a one-of-a-kind experience. The owner has absolutely no interest in expanding or franchising. This little establishment in Queenstown is the only place in the world you can get a Fergburger.

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca) has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. Qantas (www.qantas.com) also offers flights from many Canadian and U.S. gateways.

For more information about New Zealand, please visit: www.NewZealand.com

Photo Credit: Ian Brodie / Rings Scenic Tours

The chick was the thirteenth of fourteen kiwis successfully hatched at Pukaha Mount Bruce this breeding season, by far the most successful since 2003 when the kiwi were reintroduced into the wild there.

The white chick will remain in captivity with other chicks at Pukaha for at least four to six months where, subject to its behavior and welfare, it will be able to be viewed several times a week while being weighed. When it is old enough to protect itself, it could potentially be released into the sanctuary. However, Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers, who manage the kiwi program at Pukaha, will ensure the best interests of the bird remain a top priority.

“A white kiwi might really stand out making it more vulnerable,” said DOC area manager Chris Lester. “We want to ensure that as many people as possible get a chance to see it and that we keep it as safe as possible. We also recognize the need to take everything into account when deciding how best to keep Manukura safe.”

For more information about New Zealand, visit http://www.NewZealand.com

For many people, a trip to New Zealand must include wine tastings. And why not? There are more than 230 wineries on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and an estimated 100 of them are open to wine lovers. Visitors to New Zealand have extensive opportunities throughout the country to try Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and, of course, Sauvignon Blanc from both larger and boutique wineries that have gained international acclaim for exceptional wines. In fact, in New Zealand, there are even opportunities to take in movies about wine making and to have a taste testing that follows the film.

What visitors to New Zealand might not know is how many other incredible taste testing opportunities there are throughout the country (although wine does go with quite a few of them – a coincidence, we think not!).

Google “chocolate in New Zealand” and you get more than 38,000,000 links. One of the premier boutique chocolatiers in New Zealand is Schoc Chocolates (www.schoc.co.nz), home of “chocolate therapy” (really, chocolate is considered therapy there). Schoc Chocolates come in a range of incredible, infused flavours including lime chili, geranium, apricot and rosemary, lemongrass, smoked paprika and more. At many of the local shops that carry the brand, you can engage in taste testing sessions that will delight your senses and, according to chocolate therapy, leave you happier and much easier to get along with!

For chocolate lovers visiting New Zealand, there is also the opportunity to visit Cadbury World (www.cadburyworld.co.nz/visit.html) in Dunedin on the South Island. Here, visitors can learn the history of chocolate and tour the Cadbury chocolate factory. For those lucky enough to be in Dunedin from July 23-29, 2011, there is the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival (www.chocolatecarnival.co.nz). This annual event offers all sorts of chocolate focused events, including the incredible Jaffa race. (A Jaffa is a small chocolate ball, covered in a hard orange flavoured candy coating – a favourite among Kiwis.) The race features more than 25,000 Jaffas rolling down the world’s steepest public street – creating huge excitement.

Another interesting taste testing opportunity is with olive oil. New Zealand has garnered quite a number of international awards in this area. Olive oil tastings can be enjoyed throughout the country, most often in the same areas where there are wineries. Olive trees and grapes seem to like the same type of soil. While professional tasters sip the golden liquid straight from a glass, it’s much easier and enjoyable for an amateur to dip small pieces of bread in the different olive oils. There are a range of tastes, textures and blends. Some are flavoured, like those produced by boutique producer Olivo (www.olivo.co.nz), whose oils are infused with lemon, smoked chili, fennel, orange, vanilla or porcini – and are spectacular.

There are all kinds of other opportunities for taste testing in New Zealand – microbrews, the Wild Foods Festival (www.wildfoods.co.nz), specialty coffees (interestingly enough, Kiwis know how to brew great coffee!) and so much more. There really is something for everyone when it comes to trying new things in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca) has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. Qantas (www.qantas.com) also offers flights from many Canadian and U.S. gateways.

For more information about New Zealand, please visit www.NewZealand.com