Free Travel Newsletter : July 2011
Written by Steph Kendall
Brought to you by New Zealand Tourism Guide www.tourism.net.nz.
Lucky Subscriber
Congratulations to Tracey Dosser from Australia, this month's lucky Free Travel Newsletter subscriber, winning "The Ultimate New Zealand DVD".
It's time to get your nose out of those guidebooks and check out the short, informative and very easy-on-the-eye tourism movies highlighted in this month's newsletter. We also take a look at the mystical, magical and remote setting for one of New Zealand's greatest love stories and try to make New Zealand English easy-on-your-ears...
Find out about:
- 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, August 2011
- Gidday to New Zealand's Unofficial Language
- Off the Beaten Track to... Mokoia Island
- Look Before You Book
- New Zealand Fast Facts
100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, August 2011
The Southern Alps near Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island become the base for over 1,000 athletes from over 30 countries competing in 38 snow and ski-based events in 22 different sporting disciplines. In true Queenstown-style, the winter fun and games are not limited to the daytime, with a film festival, live music, entertainment, adventure expo and family fun days also being held...(more)
Gidday to New Zealand's Unofficial Language
Officially New Zealand has three languages, English, Māori and New Zealand sign language (NZSL). However, as in many countries, the locals can sound as if they are speaking a language of their own devising – especially as New Zealanders are great fans of using abbreviations wherever possible. English-speaking visitors from the USA, UK and even near neighbour, Australia can often be tripped up by kiwi slang and terms that they've just never encountered before...(more)
Off the Beaten Track to... Mokoia Island
The beautiful and mysterious Mokoia Island is located in Lake Rotorua in the middle of New Zealand's North Island. Considered sacred by local Māori of the Arawa iwi, it is famous as the site of one of the country's most famous love stories and also a bird sanctuary. Privately owned, the island is only accessible on a small tour party...(more)
Look Before You Book
For most people, part of planning their holiday to New Zealand involves doing some research to find the accommodation, transport, activities and tours that best suits their tastes, requirements and budgets. If you'd like some relief from reading guidebooks and websites, why not take a look at our 30-second long audio tours? The short, informative (English language) commentaries are easy to follow and you'll get a great idea of whether the experience is for you or not.
Take a look at our New Zealand tourism movie presentations.
New Zealand Fast Facts
The first movie made in New Zealand was called "Hinemoa" in1913 by early French film-maker Gaston Méliès. Sadly no copies of this silent movie survive, but the film apparently told the story of the love between Tutanekai and Hinemoa. Tutanekai played beautiful pipe music which was heard across Lake Rotorua by noble-born Hinemoa. They fell in love and when Hinemoa's village hid the canoes to prevent her visiting him, she swam to Tutanekai's home on Mokoia Island.
