New Zealand travel tips, visitor information and Kiwi News.

KiwiNewZ NewsZine - June 1998

Today is the 21st of June and we're pleased to release the second issue of KiwNewZ on this the shortest day. Those in the southern hemisphere don't forget to plant your garlic and shallots. Subscriber response has been very positive to the newszine and our mailbox has been overflowing with entrants to the monthly freebies. This months lucky winner of the furry kiwi was Binny Waymouth @ earthlink - congratulations Binny. To take advantage of these competitions check out our website.

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Newz in brief

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The nuclear debate has fallen by the wayside as soccer riots in Marseille takeover headline news. John Blair having to apologise in his non native tongue to French authorities so disgusted by the poms display of patriotism during the Tunisian match. Funny ways to wear your badge of national pride....As predicted last month the Pakistani leaders and compatriots thought it necessary to let six bombs off in their own back yard. More fool them in their sad display of heroism to India's might. Pakistan vehemently refused the offer of favourable loan treatment and aid assistance from Uncle Bill and will now suffer huge economic sanctions from the US in response to it's irrational and irresponsible attitude to the nuclear arms race. Will the big powers ever persuade India and Pakistan to be parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaties?

========================== Who needs Viagra?

Why risk a possible near death experience in search of the ultimate sensual experience when there are cheaper and equally potent alternatives. New Zealanders must be convinced because since opening on May 1st (a six week period) we've chewed sipped and swallowed (some do it whole) through 7.5 million Bluff oysters. Demand is so high for the delicacy quotas could be used up before the season ends August 31...

========================== Did you know...

Rugby is New Zealands favourite national sport...we're crazy about it. Time stands still when our men in black take to the field. Rugby for the uninitiated is when two teams of burly blokes, 15 aside, take to the paddock (football field) and chase kick catch lie on and grovel about for a smallish oval shaped ball. Unlike gridiron only a small amount if any padding is worn. We breed em tough, ripped ears or gouged shins just get taped up and the game goes on. Your average All Black frontrower weighs over 100kg / 220lbs with thighs the size of Oprah Winfreys waist. This Saturday our national heroes played the first test against the Poms at Carisbrook (otherwise known as the house of pain), Dunedin. Lots of Englands best players have been kept at home due to club commitments and their first game against Australia ended in a cruel 76-0 defeat. The final score at Carisbrook was 64-22 good on ya boyz.

========================= Cold as Brass Monkeys

Queens Birthday Weekend (1st June) is a long weekend in New Zealand. And one of the weird things we do way down deep is the annual Brass Monkey Motorcyle Rally in Central Otago. No snobbery here trailbikes, trikes and vintage Harleys all unite, and we're bikers not bikies they say. Some may think they're nutters as they zoom around in the middle of winter camping out in tents and talking brmmm brmm bike parts but they love it and the colder the better. This year they struck the warmest weather in the rallies 18 year history and there was obvious disappointment. "It was far too mild" .."snow is the ultimate"...18 year veteran NeilGeorge remembers one rally with temperatures plumeting to minus 19 degrees celsius, "you had to tuck your beer inside your jacket to stop it freezing!" The weekends are usually incident free but bikers will be bikers and local cops clocked some at speeds of 150kmh, the cheekiest caught at 159kmh ( 99 mph ). NZ open road speed limit is 100kmh ( 62 mph ) so that equals a hefty fine and possibly a dangerous driving conviction. The rally attracted 2000 bikers this year.

======================== Talking of Snow Drops

Have you checked out Snowcam yet? Coronet Peak opened June 6 and locals have been limbering up on the M1 (the only trail operational), last night saw a 5cm blanket fall and the snowmakers guns are blazing. No one has guessed the correct answer of our "Spectacular Snow Coverage Competition" so the two nights accommodation at a Queenstown luxury lodge are still up for grabs so slide over to and start guessing. For those of you not planning to fly south this winter the prize is valid until the year 2000 and can be transferred to friends or family, if you're feeling generous.

Keep an eye on Snowcam if you're planning a south island ski mission or just sick of the view from your office. Snowcam - "a live view of mountain conditions and weather taken daily, at least once or twice, depending whether we're sitting watching it or up there enjoying it."

========================= & Snow Tips

With no major snowfalls to date conditions are skiable but not dreamy at Coronet Peak and they still charge full daypass rates of $59 with only one main trail open (unless you go with a friend who has a Season's pass and it's half price). If you're wondering when is the best time to go skiing, after the school holidays (4/7/98 -20/7/98) would be our pick. Treble Cone and Cardrona (both Wanaka fields) plan to open Friday 27 June, snow coverage permitting and Night Skiing will be opening in the next few weeks at Coronet. Let Snowcam keep you posted.

And there is of course Queenstown Winter Festival 18 July - 26 July which celebrates winter in all it's glory with heaps of daytime action on the skifield and night time action downtown. The Steamy Night on the Wharf (which is this year the Roman night at the Events Centre) gathers a huge crowd of revellers and is boasting fabulous international DJ's this year plus someone who used to carry bags for The Orb to keep you entertained. Tickets a mere $120 per person.

======================= International Travel Tips

For those of you watching the money markets, travelling downunder, or planning to, now is the time to change your money. With the Kiwi $ hovering at 50c/US$ and 30c/Sterling why not double your money and have a winter vacation doing it. The exchange rate definitely perked up the defeated English rugby team when they landed on our shores preparing for more annihilation. The Kiwi Tourism Industry is hoping our peanut money will bring more overseas travelers to our shores as well as keeping domestic vactioners at home. According to international visitor statistics visitors, from Northern America were up by 19.7% for the year to April 1998, and visitors from Europe up by 4.8%. This doesn't mean you'll bump into your neighbour when you come on down. Little ol NZ is about as populated as the hairs on a mangy dog. And just because the exchange rate has fallen doesn't mean we've turned the lights off.

The airlines are keeping mum about great flight deals this month ex USA & UK - if you know of any let us know.

Australian snow seekers are being tempted by Qantas with direct trans Tasman flights this winter, from Sydney & Brisbane into Queenstown. The 10 scheduled flights are pretty much full but if you're keen don't delay ring Qantas straight away. Due to runway extensions in Queenstown return trips are now direct no fluffing around via Christchurch for refuelling. Ticket prices from $NZ599 what a bargain. Flights run July through September. Air New Zealand also offer direct flights into Queenstown ex Oz but return via Christchurch.

========================== Looking for a Guidebook

Look no further "Lonely Planet New Zealand: Travel and Survival Kit" has been referred to by many seasoned travellers, as and I quote "the single most dependable and comprehensive guide to New Zealand conditions". The guide was first published in 1977 and has been regularly updated the latest edition being the eigth.

========================== Hoihoi - The Yellow Eyed Penguin

We're a little batty about birds in New Zealand (no kidding you think since we like to be referred to as Kiwis). And one feathered friend which has come into the limelight over recent years thanks to a cheese company, is the Hoihoi or Yellow Eyed Penguin. Mainland Cheese donate $75,000 a year to the Hoihoi Conservation Trust, based in Dunedin the trusts efforts are largely the reforestation of the penguin nesting areas. Just 30 minutes from the city you can get amongst these birds at The Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve in an intricate series of hides & camouflaged tunnels. Best viewing times at this time of year are morning and evening when they head in and out to sea to fish.

Smaller colonies are dotted along The Catlins on the southern coast of the south island. Yes the birds do have yellow eyes and are one of the rarest penguins in the world with a total population of only 4,000. The majority of which inhabit NZ's subantartic islands, with 600 pairs on the mainland (the south island is often referred to as the 'mainland' by south islanders). The maori name Hoihoi means 'noise shouter', you'll notice they do a bit of screeching when they waddle in and out. So buy Mainland, it helps another endangered New Zealand bird and it's mighty fine cheese too (plus they make good TV commercials).

And if you're interested in a wildlife tour in this part of the world or want to know more about the Hoihoi email Ralph, our Penguin expert.

========================== Abbey Road meets Kiwi Songman

You may remember Split Enz or more recently Crowded House if you were a fan of either you'll be interested to know that Neil Finn is going it alone in the music world and has just released his first solo album "Try Whistling This". He's also on tour this month kicking off on June 24 at the Dunedin Town Hall. If you'd like to know more and aren't a reckless cd shopper you can listen to a brief preview of two songs off the album at; http://www.epiccenter.com/EpicCenter/custom/artistfan.qry?artistid=991

Phew what a mouthful. Kiwinewz recommends purchase if you're into cruisy ballads from one of our most famous music exports.

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========================== That's all folks

Thanks for joining us see ya next month. Remember we welcome any feedback, suggestions, requests, comments etc. Just email us. Happy tripping.

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