YOGA, MUSIC, AROHA.

LoveLake Festival 2018 brings a weekend of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, music and aroha to Taupō’s Wairakei Resort.

After the unfortunate cancellation of Wanderlust Great Lake Taupo, a passionate team was quickly assembled to fill the void and ensure that yoga, music and meditation lovers were not left disappointed. LoveLake Festival was born. This humble, fresh offering for the New Zealand Yoga and Mindfulness community will take place at Taupo’s Wairakei Resort from the evening of Thursday 8^th March to the afternoon of Sunday 11^th. The festival will feature an amazing lineup of 23 teachers and artists from across New Zealand and all around the world.

The festival’s daily schedules have been released, detailing a balanced and inviting program of classes and music from the afternoon of Thursday 8^th March until the afternoon of Sunday 11^th. The schedule boasts 2 rooms of classes to choose from on the Friday and Saturday, and a music program utilising Wairakei Resort’s beautiful poolside area as well as an impactful main stage.

The festival will also showcase a number of vendors including Zeenya and Yoga Tribe, and a food and beverage offering including Whai Ora and a range of Mexican, Indian & Asian food stalls with Vegetarian & Vegan options and much more.

Daily Schedules are available here: https://goo.gl/Gkj3UE

TEACHING LINEUP

Nikki Ralston, Kara-Leah Grant, Jase Te Patu

Justine Hamill, Kylie Rook, Suzi Carson, Nik Robson (Bali), Melissa Billington

MUSIC LINEUP

Sola Rosa (DJ Set), Sweet Mix Kids, Mia Paris (AUS), Rei, Tali & Chicorelli, Corysco (Brazil), River Roots (UK)

ALISHA, Brazilbeat Soundsystem, Brutus Powers, False Heights, Hippie Rich, Huia Hamon, KITES, Morning People (Pop-Up)

TICKETING

Tickets available from justtheticketnz.com / https://goo.gl/aDaZKV

First 108 Full Festival Tickets – SOLD OUT

Second Release Full Festival Tickets (all classes included) – $128 + booking fee

1 Day Tickets (all classes included) $70 + booking fee

1 Day Music Only Tickets (Valid from 5pm) – $20 + booking fee

Book your onsite accommodation at Wairakei Resort

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook.com/lovelakefestival / Instagram.com/lovelakefestival / twitter.com/lovelakefest

Press enquiries:

lovelakefestival@gmail.com or

Ash Palmer – Marketing Manager, Wairakei Resort

T: 07-374 9693 | M: 027-319-3299

marketing@wairakei.co.nz

Air New Zealand has today announced it will start operating non-stop flights between Auckland and Taipei from November 2018.

The airline will fly up to five times a week between Auckland and Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport from November, with NZ77 departing Auckland at 10:35am and arriving in Taipei at 4:50pm local time.  NZ78 will depart Taipei at 6:30pm local time, arriving in Auckland at 10:20am+1.

 With a flight time of just over 11 hours, the service from Auckland to the central Asian destination will be operated by Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says New Zealand is already a popular destination for visitors from this region and the new direct route will encourage even more tourist activity.

“Air New Zealand’s new service is significantly quicker and more convenient than current indirect options.  New Zealand already welcomes around 36,000 visitors a year from the Taiwan market and we’re confident a direct link will grow numbers further.

“Providing a non-stop service to Taipei will also enable more Kiwis to explore this destination.  Taipei is a culturally diverse city renowned for its food scene, lively night markets, traditional temples and busy shopping streets – all crowned by the Taipei 101 skyscraper that dominates the city’s skyline.  Beyond Taipei there are nine national parks offering nature experiences and activities such as hiking and biking as well as beautiful beaches.”

Fares go on sale today. The service is subject to government and regulatory approvals.

Air New Zealand’s Auckland – Taipei schedule from 1 November 2018 is as follows:

Today’s announcement comes after the airline launched direct services to Houston and Buenos Aires in December 2015 and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in June 2016.

 Ends

 Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 21 747 320

Leading RV and Travel Tech Companies announce TH2, a global joint venture to bring the benefits of digital connectivity to the RV community
CINCINNATI, Ohio, February 15, 2018 – Two industry-leading companies today announced a partnership to significantly enhance the enjoyment and safety of RV enthusiasts by digitally connecting this fast-growing international community.
Thor Industries, the world’s largest RV manufacturer, and thl, the world’s largest RV rental and sales operator, have formed a joint venture to acquire the assets of:  Roadtrippers, a leader in road trip planning;  Roadtrippers Australasia, a provider of tourism and navigation services in Australia and New Zealand;  Cosmos, a digital platform for RV customer relationship and fleet management, product pricing, and booking and rental management;  Mighway, a leader in peer-to-peer RV rentals with operations in both New Zealand and the United States; and  CamperMate, Australia and New Zealand’s top camping App.
Thor and thl will also leverage their relevant skills, business models and know-how to enable the joint venture to become the leading global digital platform for the RV industry.
The joint venture, doing business as TH2, is committed to bringing the full benefit of digital connectivity and the sharing economy to RV owners around the world.
TH2’s innovative and comprehensive platform will improve every aspect of RV ownership with capabilities that include trip planning and booking, remote systems monitoring, roadside assistance, and peer-to-peer RV and campsite rental. The system will also streamline an owner’s record keeping and enable RV dealers and manufacturers to provide such support as triggered service notifications, online vehicle manuals, and more.
Manufacturers, RV dealers, and rental operators who utilize TH2’s services and products will see increased efficiencies in product pricing, service engagement, and fleet management.
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The current global passion for RV travel makes this a perfect time to debut TH2’s platform. American RV ownership is at an all-time high. In 2017, RV shipments exceeded 500,000 in the U.S. alone, an increase of 17% from the previous year, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. The RV lifestyle is also enjoying resurgent popularity in Europe where travelers registered over 190,000 new RVs in 2017, a 12% increase over 2016. As in the U.S., much of that growth is driven by younger buyers.
“The RV lifestyle is exploding in popularity both in the U.S. and around the world,” said Thor Industries President and CEO Bob Martin. “We believe TH2’s digital platform will be a game changer for a new generation of RVers. TH2 brings together Thor’s experience as the world’s largest RV manufacturer and thl’s expertise as the world’s largest RV rental company. The result will be an industry-best collection of digital services tailored specifically for RVers, a textbook case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. The TH2 venture also further expands Thor’s role in the sharing economy and vital international markets.”
Grant Webster, thl CEO said: “thl has been focused on building a global platform for some time, we are very pleased to see those assets now part of TH2. The growth opportunities for TH2 under this new structure are immense. We look forward to adding our diverse user, on-road, and in-trip insights to craft a digital offering that will dramatically enhance countless journeys.”
TH2 will be headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bob Wheeler, President & CEO of Airstream, a subsidiary of Thor Industries and maker of the iconic “silver bullet” travel trailer, will also serve as President of TH2. Grant Webster from thl will serve as company Chairman.
Said Wheeler: “Today’s digitally savvy owners have already harnessed the power of mobile connectivity in many ways, some of them quite innovative. TH2 will take that to the next level with an integrated digital system that results in fewer worries and more fun on the road.”
Thor Industries (NYSE: THO) was founded in 1980 by Wade Thompson and Peter Orthwein with the purchase of Airstream. Thor Industries went public in 1984, and since that time Thor has grown both organically and through strategic acquisitions. Today, Elkhart, IN-based Thor is the sole owner of operating subsidiaries that, combined, represent the world’s largest manufacturer of RVs.
Tourism Holdings Limited (thl) is New Zealand’s premier tourism company and the largest provider of RVs for rent globally. In Australia and New Zealand, the company operates the Britz, maui and Mighty rental brands, as well as sales outlets RV Sales Centre and RV Super Centre. In the US, thl owns Road Bear RV Rentals and Sales and El Monte RV Rentals and Sales. The company holds 49% of UK-based Just go Motorhome Rentals & Sales, and 50% of
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Action Manufacturing. Its operations also include Mighway, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing peer-to-peer motorhome rental services.

After nearly 20 years Agroventures Adventure Park is changing its name to Velocity Valley.

The adventure park first opened in 1998, welcoming the world’s first purpose-built jet sprint course, where participants go from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

Today, the park welcomes over 30,000 visitors a year and is one of New Zealand’s leading adventure hubs offering a unique array of exhilarating and ‘distinctively New Zealand’ adventure activities in one easily accessible location.

Velocity Valley managing director, Simon Short, says the company has always been about speed, rapid movement and the rush of leaving your comfort zone.

“Our new name and brand now clearly reflects this.”

Located amid the sweeping hills of Paradise Valley in Rotorua, the company’s refined identity is inspired by the valley they call home and the speed and adrenaline experienced on the six rides offered at the park.

“Our four Shweeb Racers, which can only be found at Velocity Valley, have also recently been kitted out with electrics,” says Mr Short.

“Racers, especially the little ones, can now go from zero to 50 km/h faster and easier than ever before.”

Mr Short says that as part of the new branding, each ride has been given a pulse reading, from cruise to insane, which clearly defines the adrenaline level of each experience.

“Velocity Valley offers something for all ages and confidence levels and the pulse reading will help visitors determine what’s right for them.”

ENDS

Designer quirk, tasty tipples and edgy in-room activations were the order of the night when invited locals from across the tourism, hospitality and business sectors attended QT Queenstown’s official housewarming, recently.
Changing up the typical housewarming custom, QT Queenstown gave rather than received, gifting 10 free room nights to 10 local charities nominated on arrival by housewarming guests. The 10 charities listed below were announced winners of the 10 free room nights on the night, much to the delight of Queenstown’s Happiness House – running a drop-in centre where the community can get confidential support, including crisis intervention, resolution and general social support for families and individuals.

Manager of Happiness House, Karen Stuart says, “We love the fact that so many people nominated and supported our centre. We are always so appreciative to have Happiness Houses’ work recognised by members of the community. We will use this opportunity to raise funds and it is another chance to raise awareness of our centre and what we can provide to wonderful Wakatipu.”

Invited guests, including Councillor Tony Hill, from Queenstown and the surrounding areas were let loose to explore the resort towns hottest new hotel on Wednesday, 31st January, finishing with cocktails and canapes in Reds Bar.
General Manager of EVENT Hotels & Resorts New Zealand, Simon White says, “QT staff felt it was important to have a housewarming event for the local community and give them the opportunity to explore the hotel and meet the awesome people working there. The housewarming was a fantastic event and everyone I spoke to felt positive about QT being a part of the community.

“We wanted to go one-step further in backing up our intent to be a community partner by showing QT’s support for local charities and not-for-profits and the incredible work they do in the community,” Simon adds. “QT doesn’t mind if the 10 free room nights given to the chosen 10 charities are used at a charity auction to raise money, or as a thank you gift to a hard-working volunteer member of their team. We are thrilled with the 10 charities chosen and hope our contribution helps.”

The 10 charities announced as winners of a free room night to be used within 12 months are:
1. Sustainable Queenstown
2. Queenstown SPCA
3. Search and Rescue Queenstown
4. Women’s Refuge
5. Plunket Queenstown
6. Queenstown Fire Brigade
7. Jigsaw Central Lakes
8. Air Rescue Trust
9. Happiness House
10. Happiness House

Happiness House received two complimentary room nights due to overwhelming support and amount of nominations received on the night.

QT Queenstown looks forward to continuing to foster relationships within the Queenstown community.

Video highlights and photos from QT Queenstown’s official housewarming can be viewed here:

Video – https://www.facebook.com/QTQueenstown/videos/565865800478873/

Images – https://facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.565821783816608.1073741830.346058449126277&type=1&l=2749c03932

For more information: https://www.qtqueenstown.com 

About QT Hotels & Resorts: QT Hotels & Resorts is New Zealand’s only design-led properties playing to the modern traveller’s emotions and desires. QT is inspired by art, design, fashion, entertainment and architecture, in addition to creating great food and an environment for play. QT Museum Wellington is a unique and exciting property delivering the first injection of QT’s signature designer spaces with bold entertainment and intriguing yet relaxing guest experience. The lobby in QT Museum Wellington moonlights as an art gallery of contemporary New Zealand pieces with the country’s largest private collection on display. Newly opened QT Queenstown allows the grandeur and panoramic views of its surroundings and to truly take centre stage while infusing each room with local pieces that ensure luxurious home comforts. QT Hotels & Resorts first burst onto the hotel scene with the launch of QT Gold Coast in 2011. The collection of properties in Australia includes QT Gold Coast, QT Port Douglas, QT Falls Creek, QT Canberra, QT Bondi, QT Melbourne with flagships QT Sydney.

For more information on QT Queenstown go to: www.qthotelsandresorts.com

For further press information on QT Hotels & Resorts head to: https://www.qthotelsandresorts.com/press-centre/press-releases/

For more information, media and image enquiries please contact: Chris Lee | Communications Executive QT Museum Wellington and QT Queenstown 90 Cable Street, Wellington PH: +64 4 802 8900 M: +64 27 301 5589 E: chris_lee@evt.com

Here’s a question which should grab the attention of every traveller: which is the
most cost-effective way to travel once you’re off the airplane? Your choices today
include a rental car, an Uber or a traditional metered taxi. So which is cheapest?

GO Rentals has researched Uber prices, Taxi prices and worldwide Rental Car rates
to come up with the answer, which is…it depends. “There are multiple variables
which must be considered when choosing how to get around and which will influence
the final cost and convenience,” notes James Dalglish, General Manager of GO
Rentals. “And more than that, the absolute cost also depends quite strongly on just
precisely where in the world you are.”

For example, if you are travelling on your own and only need to go from one place to
another (and you know precisely between which two places you will travel), then an
Uber or a taxi are the obvious first choices. If you need transport, but aren’t sure of
the times, places or areas to which you will travel, a rental car is the better option
(Ubers and metered taxis tend to operate in densely populated areas – you won’t
find them venturing into the sticks very often!)

James Dalglish says that aside from those considerations – and others, such as
travelling with small children or large families, or bulky luggage like sports equipment
– the cost comparisons come down to simple dollars and cents. Or Euros, Swiss
francs, British pounds, or Thai baht.

“Actually, that’s not entirely true; we’ve analysed 85 cities around the world from
Adelaide to Zurich and everywhere in between to work out whether it’s cheaper to
rent a car, get an Uber or jump in a taxi to the City Centre from the Airport. And
we’ve sorted the comparison in Kiwi dollars to make it easy to see for yourself which
option is best before embarking on that overseas jaunt.”

The comparisons are revealing. Italian city Milan is the best place to rent a car as a
return taxi ride will set you back $243.50 (€151.32) compared to a rental car which
costs $40.74 (€25.31) for a day.

Arrivals in New Zealand are similarly advised to consider a rental car: Auckland is
ranked 2nd in the list, with that taxi journey costing $89.70 compared with a daily
rental at $37.00. The taxi cost figure has climbed since GO Rentals first conducted
the same research three years ago.

Then there’s Uber (and other car sharing services such as Lyft, BlaBlaCar, or locally,
Zoomy) which provide an additional dimension. While only Uber, considered the
leader in this space with its international footprint, was analysed for this research, it
has proven a highly viable and cost-effective alternative to a taxi or, in some cases, a
rental (again, depending on your travel needs).

Uber is significantly cheaper than taxis in most cities around the world. For example,
it costs 163 percent more to take a taxi from the airport to the city in Birmingham in
the UK than it is to take an Uber ($78.31 in a taxi vs $29.76 in an Uber, one way).
Again, Italy is an outlier, as Milan along with Rome, are amongst the few cities in the
world where taking an Uber will cost slightly more than taking a taxi.

And, unless travelling solely from the airport to the city, or in the other direction, a
rental car will almost always work out considerably cheaper than either Uber or
metered taxi – in most cases by several hundred percent.

Check out GO Rental’s table to see where various cities around the world rank in the
cost of getting from the Airport to the City Centre.

Issued on behalf of GO Rentals by Digital Hothouse

Contact:
Paul Thornton
+64 21 470070
paul@digitalhothouse.co.nz

A movement to protect some of New Zealand’s most precious native species has been given another vital boost with Southern Discoveries renewing its sponsorship of the Sinbad Sanctuary Project.

The new three-year extension of the tourism company’s commitment to the cause brings its total donations to $330,000, enabling further conservation work in what is a very special part of the country.

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage area that is Fiordland National Park, the Sinbad Sanctuary Project was established in 2009 as a means of protecting the unique Sinbad Gully environment next to Milford Sound’s iconic Mitre Peak.

Southern Discoveries, which operates cruises in Queenstown and Milford Sound, is the principal sponsor of the campaign to preserve what is home to a number of threatened native bird and lizard species, donating $30,000 per year to the project since it began.

CEO Tim Hunter says these conservation efforts are integral to Southern Discoveries business plan.

“As Milford Sound’s original cruise operator, our business is founded on the unique and natural environments that we share with visitors from around the world,” he says.

“Contributing to the sustainability of, and protecting the species within the unique environments we operate is core to Southern Discoveries vision and values, and the Sinbad Sanctuary Project is an important part of our long-term business strategy.”

The Sinbad Sanctuary Project, which is a partnership between the Fiordland Conservation Trust and the Department of Conservation, aims to enhance the ecological values of the area with the long-term aim of reintroducing species that are no longer present.

Native species currently found in Sinbad Gully include tokoeka/kiwi, whio/blue duck, weka, kākā, kea and rock wren, as well as three species of threatened lizard: the Sinbad skink, Cascade gecko and cryptic skink.

This is thought to be the most diverse community of reptile species in Fiordland and one of the most specious alpine lizard communities in the world. Sinbad Gully is also one of the last places where kākāpō were found in their natural habitat, making the owl parrot an obvious candidate for translocation when the area is pest free.

The programme aims to reduce predators through stoat trapping and possum and rodent control. Species outcome monitoring is also undertaken to ensure that the predator-control regime is sufficient.

Chairman of the Fiordland Conservation Trust Kim Hollows is of the view that Southern Discoveries are “stand out” sponsors and from the outset have proven themselves to be the right sponsor for this project.

“As exclusive sponsors, who have invested heavily in conservation in an area in which they operate, we have a great deal of admiration for their commitment and the basis on which they operate. This has been a terrific partnership,” he says.

In addition to donating funds to this important conservation programme, Southern Discoveries staff provide support to the Department of Conservation with implementing surveys and servicing trap lines, and executive management support the Fiordland Conservation Trust with planning and governance.

Southern Discoveries also gives customers an opportunity to donate to the project on its website. Further details can be found at southerndiscoveries.co.nz.

ENDS

About Southern Discoveries
Southern Discoveries is a premium tourism company dedicated to sharing some of New Zealand’s most iconic scenery and extraordinary experiences with the world.
The company offers a range of cruises in Milford Sound and Queenstown, as well as cycling, farm experiences and coach transfers from Queenstown, and kayaking and an underwater observatory in Milford Sound. They also specialise in private charters and conference and incentive packages.
With more than 50 years’ experience, Southern Discoveries continues to provide the widest range of excursions in Milford Sound and maintains an ongoing commitment to the conservation of the area through the Sinbad Sanctuary Project in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and the

Fiordland Conservation Trust.
The company is Qualmark endorsed, has a Trip Advisor ‘Hall of Fame’ Certificate of Excellence for Milford Sound cruises and received the title of New Zealand Tourism Export Council Operator of the Year in 2015. See southerndiscoveries.co.nz
About Fiordland Conservation Trust
Established in 2007, the Fiordland Conservation Trust (FCT) has worked with many different individuals and businesses to bring about outstanding conservation projects in Southland. Several businesses have ongoing relationships with FCT; the encounters with some of New Zealand’s threatened species and amazing wilderness environments experienced by these people is having a positive impact on their willingness to support future projects. FCT was awarded the Achiever Award in the 2015 Environment Southland Awards. See fiordlandconservationtrust.org.nz

Issued by Pead PR on behalf of Southern Discoveries and Fiordland Conservation Trust

Contacts:
For Southern Discoveries: Nicole Haysom, Pead PR, Mob: 021 903 117, email: nicole@peadpr.co.nz
For Fiordland Conservation Trust: Laura Harry, Trust Manager, Fiordland Conservation Trust
Mob: 0278 778 139, email: manager@fiordlandconservationtrust.org.nz