December 4, 2008

Kia Ora !*FIRSTNAME*!,

What an exciting few months we’ve had in Rotorua.  Our Airport extension to allow trans Tasman capability has commenced, (yes it’s true!!) and we’ve won some nice pieces of international business thanks to our larger capacity Energy Events Centre.

The hotels are all looking nice and refreshed after numerous upgrades and some of our key activities are looking at new products and combos that work for you the client.

As we head into uncertain economic times and budgets are being slashed and burnt,  don’t rule out Rotorua as a cost effective destination for your conference.  Fuel is coming down, hotel rates are competitive depending on time of week / month or year, all support product is here and the wide range of activities utilising Rotorua’s unique landscape make for a compelling destination to attract delegates.

The Rotorua Convention Bureau will be closed from the 24th of December till the 12th of January 2009.  We’ll be sunning ourselves somewhere as we hope you are, and will be back on deck after that time to offer you all the assistance you may need for planning your next event.

Meri Kirihimete
from Ruth and Melissa on behalf of all of the Rotorua Industry.

Dates for the Diary

Rotorua Convention Bureau will be in the following places early next year and will be out with a formal invite shortly. Mark them in your diary now as you know we always put on a good shindig!!!

January 28 Wellington

February 12 Auckland

2009 Rotorua C&I Planner

The 2009 Rotorua Conference and Incentive Planner is presently in production and will be sent out in late January 2009 to those who have requested a copy. If you are unsure if you are on this list or you or a colleague would like a copy, please just email the Rotorua Convention Bureau and we can make sure you get one hot off the press.

Familiarise yourself with Rotorua

If is has been some time since you have experienced Rotorua, come as our guest to see. Email Melissa at to a date.

Rotorua Imagery

The Bureau would also like to make you aware of the fabulous and recently updated image library on our website. The images are free to download through the e-see system. Also if there is a particular image that you are after that you do not see there, contact the bureau and we may be able to get it for you. Click here to view our Image Library.

Events guide

The Jan-June 09 events guide is out now, highlighting events in the region that could complement your delegates stay while in Rotorua – Downloadable from the website here or contact us and we can send you some brochures. Also keep an eye on the events calendar available on the website as this is updated daily with new events.rotoruaNZ.com/events

So what’s new in Rotorua..

Heritage Rotorua Hotel update

It has been a busy year for the team at the Heritage Rotorua, starting with a $70,000 upgrade of the air-conditioning system in the Te Puna Aroha and Manuka conference rooms earlier this year.

Since then the Heritage Rotorua has become the latest Heritage Hotel to become Green Globe benchmarked for sustainability, taking the figure to 92% of all Heritage and Citylife Hotel rooms inventory having been benchmarked.
Heritage Rotorua General Manager Marcus Keenan welcomed the opportunity to cement the hotel’s environmental commitment with the internationally recognised Green Globe Brand, following on with the work it did with the Rotorua sustainable Tourism Charter over the past five years.

Earlier this year the Heritage Rotorua developed its own Spa Studio to allow guests to have a beauty treatment and/or relaxation massage in a private and quite themed space away from their room. Located on the 4th floor with relaxing views of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, it is proving to be a valuable asset to hotel, especially with conference clients.

The Hotel has also installed over 100 x 32” LG LCD Televisions into all of its Superior and One Bedroom Suites. This investment shows the continued focus on improving guest’s facilities and services and offering up to date technology.

And finally, at the end of October the Hotel also reopened 24 fully refurbished guests’ rooms. These rooms where completely stripped out and re modernised, taking them from a Standard to Superior style room. The refurbished rooms are all located in the Tower wing of the hotel on the 4th and 5th floors and offer extensive views across the city and out to Lake Rotorua or across the majestic Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.

Energy Events Centre wins two Awards

At the recently held Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards, the Energy Events Centre won two awards. Click here for the full story.

Themeing good ideas –

Event Impressions provide services in linen, lighting and décor and use their expansive event knowledge to create full conceptual creations all over New Zealand.

Co-Directors, Jacqui Smith and Jeff Alexander, are pleased to announce that well known Rotorua florist, Rachel Thaugland has joined the team as exclusive in-house florist adding a new dimension to event designs and décor created by Event Impressions. With skills gained form years of overseas travel in the Middle East, United Kingdom and Europe, Rachel knows no boundaries of imagination. “I am delighted to be working with Event Impressions. Their reputation for quality events is well known and I can ad my creative focus to an already creative team’ says Rachel. ‘it is fantastic to see floral making a comeback”.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact: Jacqui Smith, 07 348 4045 or email:

Quest Rotorua Serviced Apartments

Quest Rotorua is a 4.5 star Qualmark property with 39 brand new serviced apartments, which is well suited to hosting small groups and with their meeting room is an ideal property for a staff retreat, meeting or training venue.

With ample off-street parking and a range of business facilities including wireless broadband, guests will be well looked after.

For further information contact Quest Serviced Apartments, 07 347 333 or 0800 355 575, or questrotorua.co.nz.

New team building challenge for an old favourite

The Skyline Skyrides Luge Challenge sounds simple enough, Luge as fast as you can with a full cup of water and see how much you have left when you finish your ride. As soon as team members begin they realise it may not be as simple as it sounds. The combination of getting wet, the possibility of banter and the chance of winning creates a perfect environment for this brand new team building activity. Team members can carry the cup of water on their luge cart or their body anyway they dare. This new team building product has something to offer everyone, at any age or ability. Businesses wanting to include lunch or further team building activities can do so at the unique Redwood Forest Sails venue. Situated half-way down the Scenic Luge Track the natural environment is a perfect space to get the creativity flowing and break down silos that can occur in traditional offices.

For more information please contact Lynley Martin on 347 0027 ext 707.

Three Rotorua tourism activities among first in NZ to achieve green status

Rotorua is very proud to have been awarded a full range of Qualmark Enviro-logos. Read here to read full story.

Fabulous Food + Landmark location = Fine Food Services

The much loved iconic Blue Baths, always a scene of activity and innovation has recently expanded its business with the addition of a dedicated out-catering department, Fine Food Services, allowing them to cater other great Rotorua locations. 
Clients are offered exquisite dining in a diverse array of pristine alfresco locations and a choice selection of Rotorua's most desirable landmark venues.

Leading the talented (and passionate!) culinary team of both the in-house catering at Blue Baths and Fine Foods Services, is new Executive Chef Ian Day.  Ian has juggled an exciting career that has taken him from award winning luxury lodges and the fun of Blackpool hotels to the demands of Executive Chef at Rydges Hotel Auckland. Ian brings a passion for fresh seasonal flavours. With Spring spinning into Summer, he has developed a new selection of palate pleasing innovative menus, which are featured on the new look Historic Venues website.

Looking to the future, the website has been designed as a one stop shop for event organisers.  It features entertainment, catering and themeing options available at each venue.  There is a large and informative photographic gallery of past events and theme ideas, to inspire.

Contact: Natasha Stent
Tel: 07 350 2119
Fax: 07 350 2118

historic-venues.co.nz

World Ranked Lodge reopening on 18 December

A date of the 18th of December has been set as the reopening date
for the lebuna Lake Okereka Lodge, (formally the Lake Okereka Lake House) after months or refurbishment, reconstruction, landscaping and a major makeover.

Stunning wall coverings, exquisite light fittings and lamps, and a range of beautiful furniture and plush furnishings have all arrived from their various sources around the world.

The three spacious suites are spread over three levels of the lodge and will provide unsurpassed standards and sumptuous comfort for our guests.
We will be the only property in the country providing guests with a range of superb Bvlgari brand amenities in each suite.

After being named in the Elite Traveler Magazine’s list of the world’s ‘Top 101 Hotel and resorts Suites’ earlier this year, the Lake Okareka Lodge is looking forward to welcoming guests who enjoy a certain level of comfortable and service when they travel.

If you would like further information about the Lake Okareka Lodge, please contact Diana Moore, Country Manager – New Zealand, lebuna Hotels & Resorts on 07 348 8026 or 021 286 8887, or by email:

Second year in row, Treetops voted Best Hotel in New Zealand

Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Experience have been selected as New Zealand’s best hotel for the second consecutive year running, recognized in the 2008 Conde Nast Traveler (USA) magazine Readers Choice Awards.

Contact the Lodge for further information, 07 333 2066 or email:

Group Activities with Rotorua Duck Tours

Rotorua Duck Tours is a perfect activity for groups and corporate events. With 2 Ducks we are able to accommodate up to 55 passengers at one time. Our 6 wheel drive landing crafts are able to travel on land and water, providing a unique way to experience Rotorua’s spectacular lakes and giving you an exciting new transport option (DUCK TAXI) between centrally located destinations.                              
For something a bit different Rotorua Duck Tours offers an hilarious activity for team building and a lot of raucous laughter. This activity is called the Amazing Duck Race. It requires two teams, each in a duck, pitted against one another to complete a list of fun challenges.  This activity is an awesome way to see some of the sights of Rotorua while working out of clues and participating in a large variety of activities.

Rotorua Duck Tours has also joined with Rotorua's most popular dining establishments bringing your guests some great combo deals.

We offer a highly personalised experience with a small but energetic crew that will ensure your team has an absolute blast – a memory never to be forgotten.

For further information please contact Trevor Weir, 07 345 6522 or email:

Tired of the same old Boardroom?

Want to add some interest to a meeting other than just four walls of a boardroom?
The ‘Workshop’ at the New Zealand Caterpillar Experience has recently been used for just that. With ample area to accommodate groups of up to 12 pax including a presentation/whiteboard area and with plenty of other interesting nooks and crannies available for displays and refreshment stations within this large facility it’s a great alternative to your standard Hotel boardroom.

As to this the new movie theatre, which is ideal for DVD presentations and private discussions and that this is one of the few venues in the city that allows a personal choice in out-caterers and this venues has something for groups of all sizes.

Contact Karen Ryan for further details, 07 347 3206 or

Kiwi Lumberjack travelling show

Business is ‘good as wood’ for the Kiwi lumberjack with demand for his travelling road show really taking off!. With the recent appointment of Jonny the Lumberjack (Jensen) in sales, there has been huge growth in germinating some excellent leads and direct tree falls!
So if you want to see the Kiwi Lumberjacks in your neck of the woods some time give them a call on the old pine cone phone some time.

Phone: 0800 AXEMAN or check out kiwilumberjack.co.nz

recipient and sender details

We have collected your contact details. This information is collected to enable us to keep you up to date with tourism news pertinent to the Rotorua tourism market and keep you informed of the activities of the Destination Rotorua Marketing office. We will not disclose your contact details to third parties.

Destination Rotorua Convention Bureau
Private Bag 3007, Rotorua
Phone +64 7 348 4133
Fax +64 7 349 4133

Ruth McIntyre
Destination Rotorua Convention Bureau Manager
(currently on maternity leave)
Phone +64 7 349 7280

 

Melissa Gray
Cconventions and Incentive Co-ordinator
Phone +64 7 349 7283

For all media enquiries please contact:
Justine Southwick
Media Advisor
Phone +64 7 349 7286

www.rotoruaNZ.com