Good news for tourism in the North with Rugby World Cup

Less than 60 days remain before the first Rugby World Cup team arrives in the Far North!

Mayor Wayne Brown says the Far North is privileged to have won the right to host the teams. “Foreign teams visiting our part of the country are fairly rare.”

The district’s second largest industry could get a boost during September and October if the 14,500 overseas visitors expected to visit Northland during the tournament venture to the Far North.

“It’s good news for tourism. It’s coming at a time of the year when it’s a bit empty.” He asks people to think about what they can do to be good hosts.

“We want them to leave with a good impression so they come back and tell their mates to come and enjoy a summer here.”

Bay of Islands Motel Association chairwoman Suzi Jones says few motels in the bay are fully booked during the world cup. But she is confident that business will pick up nearer to the tournament. “These days, bookings are a lot more last minute with the internet. We’re positive that it is going to happen.”

Motels are getting behind the Paint it Red campaign and are looking forward to the world cup 2011 roadshow which visits Paihia on July 28.

Kiwi rockers The Feelers will up the town’s tempo when they headline at the “it!” Bay of Islands Festival the day before the cup final on October 23.

(Source: Article courtesy of stuff.co.nz)

The Next Top Model cycle 3 journey begins at the Birthplace of a Nation…Waitangi

Episode 1: The Journey Begins in the Bay of Islands

After an extensive nationwide search, just 33 young hopefuls from all over the country have been invited to the beautiful Bay of Islands. It’s here at our country’s birthplace in Waitangi that the exciting journey also begins on the third cycle of New Zealand’s Next Top Model.

The models are surprised when they are greeted by Cycle two winner Dannielle Hayes and are welcomed by an inspirational speech from host, Sara Tetro.

After spending some time talking and getting to know each other, the girls are given swimwear and asked to ‘strike a pose’ on the magnificent yacht ‘Lion New Zealand’ in the middle of the Bay of Islands in front of their coach, Colin Mathura-Jeffree and internationally successful kiwi model, Teresa Moore. Some manage to impress, but for most, nerves get the better of them and they fail to deliver.

At judging panel, the girls try to impress the judges with some resorting to hula-hoops, gymnastics and even a “hoe-down, showdown” in an effort to stay in the competition.

When the girls are ferried (literally) on a car ferry to a tannery in Russell they are given a demonstration on the process of making leather.

However tensions rise when the girls are informed that only 13 of the girls will be going back to the house and the rest of them will be eliminated. After a tearful separation from those who don’t make it through to the next round, the remaining 13 girls are treated to a special dinner where they are given charm bracelets as a gift from Pascoes.

Source: TV3 - New Zealand’s Next Top Model

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The Bay of Islands is one NZ’s “top tourist drawcards,” according to Lonely Planet.

With its scenic rocky coastline and sandy inlets, the Bay of Islands is one New Zealand’s “top tourist drawcards,” according to Lonely Planet. The Bay of Islands is in the far north of New Zealand’s North Island, 140 miles from Auckland, in the Northland region. You’ll spend most of your time on the mainland because the Bay’s collection of 150 islands is largely uninhabited. Swim with dolphins, sail, snorkel, dive and hike on your visit to this tourist attraction on the Pacific Ocean.

Read the rest of the article from USA Today - Travel tips

Al gives us the big tick

Source Keri Molloy Bay Chronicle Nov 2010

We’re the first of the provinces targeted by celebrated Wellington chef Al Brown for a new television series for foodies.

ning Al and Steve Logan own Wellington’s award-winning restaurant Logan Brown. They were Wellingtonians of the Year in 2009 and hosts of the Hunger for the Wild TV series.

Al focused on local produce at the Bay of Islands Farmers Market in Kerikeri on Sunday and on Monday he cooked up a feast, with Kerikeri chef Colin Ashton in the kitchen at Food at Wharepuke.

“Farmers markets are a window on their provinces. Yours is wicked. What I will be doing in this series – this is the first episode – is getting together with local foodies to create two or three dishes, giving my take on the area.”

Enjoying the results of his morning in the kitchen were deputy mayor Ann Court and Genevieve Hildreth, who produces an historic line of Maori potatoes.

Al says his preconceptions about the Far North initially included kumara, citrus, avocado and the ocean but he has found much more.

“It’s a journey of discovery,” he says.

Ms Court says she’ll willingly fill in for the mayor any time on this kind of job.

“I was extremely spoilt getting to be Al Brown’s guinea pig.”

The series is to screen mid-2011.

Wineries scoop medals

(Source Stuff.co.nz 21.9.10)

Karikari Estate has won a gold medal for its 2008 Calypso chardonnay at the New Zealand International Wine Show.

More than 2100 wines from all parts of the world were judged in three days of intense smelling, tasting and spitting.

The estate also earned a silver medal for its 2008 Karikari Estate pinotage.

This follows a silver for the new 2009 Karikari Estate chardonnay in the Bragato Wine Awards two weeks ago.

Karikari Estate has been awarded 14 medals in wine shows in the past fortnight.

Karikari Estate winemaker Ben Dugdale says the winning estate wine is a great example of what can be achieved in the north.

“It’s a brilliant result for Karikari Estate, and for the Northland wine region, because these medals are spread over a range of wines; chardonnay, pinotage and our red blends, which indicates that the region can foot it with the big boys, and not just in one variety, so we’re no one trick pony.

“This means there is a lot of character and individuality in the Northland region and not just in the wine.”

Fat Pig Vineyard won three medals in the international show.

Owners Bruce and Sue Soland entered three new wines at the last minute after the wines arrived back from bottling only a few days before the contest.

“What is most pleasing is that our sauvignon blanc, entered in a competition for the first time, has won a bronze medal.

“We had many critics saying you can’t grow savy in the north.”

Fat Pig won silver for its chardonnay and bronze for its pinot gris.

Ake Ake vineyard in Kerikeri won bronze medals for its chambourcin and merlot.

Kerikeri artist’s work wins Ranamok prize

Wednesday 18 August 2010 Press Release North Tec

Kerikeri artist’s “truly magnificent” work wins Ranamok prize

Kerikeri artist Sue Hawker has won the prestigious Ranamok Glass Prize 2010, Australasia’s biggest prize for glass art – making her the third New Zealand winner of the prize in the last four years.

The AUS$15,000 prize was awarded in front of an audience of several hundred people in Canberra last week.

Sue’s vibrant pâte de verre piece called “Too Much Is Never Enough” was described by judge and international glass art expert Tina Oldknow as “a truly magnificent work” with Ms Oldknow going on to say that the artist had used pâte de verre in a way that had never been done before.

The winning piece was described by Ms Oldknow as “very Andy Warhol” and was created as a recession blues-busting work. “There is too much doom and gloom,” said Sue, “it’s important to keep positive and the piece is deliberately bold, large and colourful.”

Pâte de verre is an exacting technique requiring meticulous work. It is often used to create fragile pieces. Sue’s piece, however, represents quite a departure from the usual pâte de verre creations. “It’s solid and substantial and pushes the boundaries of the technique – but this is exactly what our tutor challenged us to do when I was a student.”

Winning the prestigious prize has led to a flurry of offers for the former NorthTec applied arts student. Sue has been offered two exhibitions in Sydney including a joint exhibition that will coincide with the 2011 Ausglass Conference.

“The owner of the Glass Artists Gallery in Glebe, Sydney (and co-founder of the Ranamok Glass Prize), Maureen Cahill, has said that she would like to take my work to the “Connect” exhibition in London next year.”

Sue continues to have a connection with NorthTec as a visiting artist and mentor at its Kerikeri campus where she is part of a thriving group of artists who are gaining national and international recognition for their work.

Winning the Ranamok Glass Prize is a huge boost, especially given the judges’ comment that the piece would stand up anywhere in the world. It shows that we can foot it with anyone. For me personally, it allows me to continue with the work I love.”

Sue’s success looks set to continue with the news yesterday that she and NorthTec graduate and Kerikeri artist Lee Brogan have been selected as finalists for the annual Wallace Art Awards, Lee with a pâte de verre piece and Sue with a ceramic installation.

The Bay of Islands & Waitangi : Proud to be a Kiwi!

Amazing. Breathtaking. Historic. Difficult. If you’re wondering what I’m on about, I’m talking about the Bay Of Islands & the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Read on