KiwiNewZ NewsZine - May 1998

KiwiNewz welcomes subcribers and infotravelseekers to the inaugural issue of our newszine. We have been in touch some time in the past regarding New Zealand and hope you don't mind that we have taken the liberty to contact you again. We'll be publishing monthly issues covering what's going down in our neck of the woods with relevant travel tips, current environmental issues, weather patterns, super duper travel deals domestic & international etc, with links to relevant websites. Just good clean green stuff from the deep south of the south island, NZ.

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==================== Newz in brief ====================

Well Aotearoa is proudly nuclear free and has voiced it's disapproval of India's shamefull attempt of making the world powers sit up and take notice. They say India's defiance will reduce it's security rather than enhance it in what is a futile statement of politcal assertiveness as well as a message to hostile neighbours. Anyway this is not a political forum. But clean green nuclear free New Zealand is a good place to travel to what with riots in Indonesia and the continuing unrest in various parts of the world, as well as the threat of Pakistan wanting to play tit for tat testing...

=================== Bluff Oyster Season

Aphrodisiac hunters listen up - May 1st hails the start of the Bluff Oyster season - reputedly the best oyster in the Pacific. In order to settle this claim against it's northern cousin the Nelson oyster - 18 foodies were gathered at Icon restaurant in Te Papa (NZ's new multi million $$ museum) in Wellington last week to set about judging the delicacies and putting the record straight. Bluff and Nelson (which are in fact identical species) battled it out with, Bluff the all time favourite, coming out on top. The oyster season runs for 3 months or until quota's are filled. Nothing like a Bluff oyster fresh from the ocean mmmmmmmmmmmmm with vogels bread (a kiwi institution) cracked pepper, a little lemon and a fine New Zealand wine to start the evening off.

================== Stewart Island National Park Proposal

Stewart Islanders are having to consider giving away their moggies and doggies as our esteemed Prime Minister urges them to consider making their island sanctuary a National Park. "The island's huge environmental value could be used to market the region, along with the Catlins & Fiordland, Mrs Shipley said". Obviously the idea is being sold on the basis of how islanders can make more out of their tourist dollar other than the added benefits to sustaining flora, fauna and their highly valued South Island Brown Kiwi population. Although as our LA based kiwi ambassador Rachel Hunter often reminds us - it won't happen overnight but it will happen. According to Conservation Minister Nick Smith "the process is not quick...it would take three or four years to carry out an investigation..."

================== Weird Walking Weather

If you're planning to walk the Milford Track this year you may be interested in the hand the current El Nino weather patterns have dealt that part of Fiordland. Over the 6 months from October 7.54metres/23 feet of rain have fallen, similar to what the area would normally expect in a full year. Wet feet for sure but all those waterfalls must be doubly impressive. Check out two alternative southern walks on our website http/www.Kiwiwilderness Walks.co.nz, Stewart Island & The Waitutu Track (southeast Fiordland). Last August we walked from Masons Bay to Freshwater (Stewart Island) in shorts! The sandfly population also dwindles on sunny winter days. Bear in mind only unguided trips are available during winter months May - October. The summer season kicks off November running till April. So if you're planning to get your hiking boots out this summer and want to check out some amazing bush and birdlife and maybe see a Kiwi shuffling around in the wild feel free to email at mailto:kiwiwalks@riverton.co.nz for more info.

================ Domestic Travel Tips

At this time of year in New Zealand many operators offer winter standby rates on transport and accommodation, as the skifields are gearing for a bumper crop of cold fronts. So don't be afraid to ask when making enquiries or bookings as to the best available rates.

Checkout Ansett Airlines superdeals Christchurch - Queenstown $50 oneway for the month of May. Cheaper than old Air NZ at $69 one way (conditions always apply).

Or by road check out Bottom Bus's (personalised freewheeling on small buses) superdoubleduper winter deals ex Dunedin to TeAnau/Queenstown via the spectacular Catlins as well as regular 'xtra' packages. Such as one next month for rugby fans when the mighty All Blacks take on England at Carisbrook. Fancy dressing up as a penguin and waving to mum on national TV? There's room for 40 supporters (pickup QT) and Dunedin is so busy they'll be bunking you down at the Badminton Hall. Email mailto:BOTTOM@deepsouth.co.nz for the hot bully if this is your can of Speights. Ask about Bottom Bus Deep Snow Adventure Ski Tours ex Dunedin to Queenstown & Wanaka this season.

"Queens Birthday Weekend Special" - stay at the historic Riverton Rock Guesthouse and dine at Riverton's oldest eating house Country Nostalgia Cafe...Just $99 per couple includes 1 night accommodation & dinner. Email mailto:THErock@riverton.co.nz to make reservations or checkout our website http://www.riverton.co.nz/ and have a look around the Rock before you book.

================= International Travel Packages

Yo American cousins - looking for a low-cost vacation in the land of the Kiwi? In America ring Pacific Travel Shops on 800 894 7722 for details of the fabulous Air New Zealand USA Two for one flight deal for less than $US1,200. Offer available from now until 31 August....

We say go for it - come on down.

================= Monthly freebie

If you have a predilection for snow checkout checkout for regular mountain snow action updates at Coronet Peak, Queenstown on our snowcam. Ski bunnies and boarders also have a chance to WIN two nights accommodation at a luxury apartment in Queenstown - take yourself to the site and guess the date of the spectacular snowcoverage pictured..freebies don't come better than that.