New Zealand has had a booming 2 years in tourism. Despite international downturns in travel because of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and SARS, New Zealand has welcomed over two million visitors for the first time. There has been huge growth in all tourism sectors, and the mood looks set to continue. The airlines, though, are still "up in the air" -- at least in terms of who's who. The proposed merger between Air New Zealand and Australia's Qantas is still awaiting approval; Britain's Virgin Blue has successfully negotiated Trans-Tasman flying rights; and United Airlines has withdrawn from New Zealand. Here's what else is new in New Zealand.
Auckland
The new multimillion-dollar Britomart Transport Exchange has finally opened, and Aucklanders are looking ahead to a more organized, more efficient city transport system -- and hopefully less traffic congestion with all buses, trains, and ferry services converging downtown. Subritzky (tel. 09/534-5663) launched a new 500-passenger ferry to Waiheke Island at the end of 2003. It takes 50 vehicles and makes the trip to Waiheke Island much easier.
There was huge disappointment that New Zealand failed to retain the America's Cup for a third time, but Auckland has continued to flourish regardless, with high occupancy rates, major revamps, and new construction. A welcome addition to moderately priced inner city accommodations is the brand-new President Plaza Hotel Auckland, 1 Hobson St. (tel. 0800/773-743 in NZ, or 09/356-1000), ideally placed near Viaduct Harbour. There's sumptuous new upmarket bed and breakfast accommodation at Cotter House, 4 St. Vincent Ave., Remuera (tel. 09/529-5156; www.cotterhouse.com) and Mollies, 6 Tweed St., St. Mary's Bay (tel. 09/376-3489), is a stylish new boutique hotel close to trendy Ponsonby. Just across the water on Waiheke Island, The Boatshed, Tawa and Huia streets (tel. 09/372-9619; www.boatshed.co.nz), has beautiful luxury suites and Longhouse (tel. 09/308-9044; www.longhousenz.com), also on Waiheke, is New Zealand's first residential cooking school.
On the adventure front, you can now leap off Auckland's Harbour Bridge and survive to tell the tale. This is thanks to A.J. Hackett Bungy (tel. 0800/462-8649 in NZ, or 09/377-6543; www.ajhackett.com).
New restaurants and bars are too numerous to list, but one worth trying is Chandelier, 152 Ponsonby Rd. (tel. 09/360-9315), a completely over-the-top dining experience that draws an avant-garde crowd. Gault at George, 144 Parnell Rd. (tel. 09/358-2600) is another one worth shelling out for.
Rotorua, Taupo & Tongariro National Park
Taupo seems to have suddenly woken up. New developments are popping up everywhere, and existing tourism icons are brushing up their act. At press time, Taupo Hot Springs, 102 Taupo-Napier Highway (tel. 07/377-6502; www.taupohotsprings.com), was constructing the country's newest purpose-designed health spa, set to open sometime in 2004. There's steamy new intrigue at Wairakei Terraces, SH5 (tel. 07/378-0913; www.wairakeiterraces.co.nz), highlighting geothermal wonders. And in the accommodation stakes, Acacia Point Lodge, 11 Sylvia Place, Acacia Bay (tel. 07/378-9089; www.acaciapointlodgetaupo.co.nz), is a smart new boutique experience.
Further south, there's a massive new resort development in Kinloch Golf Resort (tel. 07/918-3316; www.kinloch-golf.com). Designed by American golf legend Jack Nicklaus, it will provide upmarket accommodation, restaurants, marina, fitness center, and, of course, a championship 18-hole golf course. At Whakapapa in Tongariro National Park, there has been NZ$8 million (US$13.6 million) spent at The Grand Chateau, Whakapapa Village (tel. 0800/242-832; www.chateau.co.nz), on a massive refurbishment of the existing hotel, plus the development of a new 40-room wing and new atrium restaurant.
Wellington
The capital's hotel scene is as changeable as ever. The Parkroyal has rebranded as Hotel InterContinental Wellington, Grey and Featherston streets (tel. 0800/442-215; wellington.intercontinental.com), and has undergone a multimillion-dollar revamp. Novotel Capital, 133-137 The Terrace (tel. 0800/444-422 in NZ, or 04/918-1900) is a new hotel in the heart of the city. There is still talk of The Hilton constructing a new hotel on the reclaimed waterfront area, but this has yet to gain official approval.
You'll find new Maori attractions at Pataka, Norrie and Parumoana streets, Porirua (tel. 04/237-1511; www.pataka.org.nz), a showcase of contemporary Maori art; and Maori Treasures, 56-58 Guthrie St., Lower Hutt (tel. 04/939-9630), a complex offering gallery, gift store, cafe, and exclusive tour experiences.
Christchurch & Canterbury
The proposed NZ$6.4 million (US$3.5 million) Maori Cultural Village attraction (tel. 64/7/346-2823; www.maoriculture.co.nz/christchurch.htm), to be established by Rotorua's Tamaki brothers, has been put on hold, although discussions are continuing and at press time there was hope that it would open sometime in 2004.
There's a swanky new HIP (Highly Individual Places) hotel at Off The Square, Worcester Street (tel. 0800/633-843), where you'll find highly individualized rooms for terrific prices, right beside Cathedral Square in the heart of the city. Further north, Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve, Amuri Road (tel. 0800/442-663 in NZ, or 03/315-7511; www.hotfun.co.nz), has seen a 38% increase in visitor numbers and is planning yet another major extension to include new thermal pools and picnic areas.
In Kaikoura, the Scenic Hotel chain is opening Te Kaikoura, 28 Churchill Street, State Highway 1 (tel. 09/377-5767; www.scenic-circle.co.nz) a new 70-room hotel in 2004. It will be the town's first hotel and a much needed addition. Christchurch-based Scenic Hotels are also opening new hotels in Blenheim and Dunedin in 2004.
Queenstown & Environs
Additions to Queenstown accommodations include the upmarket star Eichardt's Private Hotel, The Mall (tel. 03/441-0450; www.eichardtshotel.co.nz), where everything is as luxurious and enveloping as you could hope for. Shotover Lodge, 61 Atley Rd. (tel. 03/441-8037; www.shotoverlodge.com), is the new baby of Steve and Jeanette Brough, former owners of Remarkables Lodge. Meanwhile, back at Remarkables Lodge, 595 Kingston Rd. (tel. 03/442-2720; www.remarkables.co.nz), new owners Simon Bolt and Heini Mueller have swept a broom through and reopened after a major revamp.
On the adventure front, Via Ferrata Queenstown (tel. 03/409-0696; www.viaferrata.co.nz) should appeal to adventure seekers who like climbing in high rocky places; and Shotover Canyon Swing (tel. 03/442-9708; www.canyonswing.co.nz) is supposedly the world's highest giant swing -- just a little something for the already bored adrenalin junkie. Softies might prefer the gentle comforts of Yvalda Boat Cruises (tel. 03/442-3499; www.cruising.net.nz), a new operation that puts the classic ketch used by Sir Winston Churchill in World War II to a new use on lake Wakatipu.