Wairarapa

Wings Over Wairarapa has been postponed due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Wairarapa’s Night Glow festival in April will feature around 20 hot-air balloons, art, food, and entertainment and help attract thousands to the region.

Tourism development, winter tours and star gazing events, and more bed nights are among the benefits that could come from Wairarapa’s new International Dark Sky Reserve status

Wings over Wairarapa is returning to Masterton in 2023 – and it will include an expanded education programme to tempt people into a career in science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics (STEAM).

The Toast Martinborough food and wine festival is returning this November after a two-year hiatus.

7000 visitors are expected to gather in the Wairarapa for this year’s Booktown Karukatea 2022 Festival in Featherston from 8-12 June.

The Pukaha Wairarapa Garden Tour has named Jen Butler as its new event manager following the departure of Rachael Dell, who managed the tour for the last four years.

Kāpiti Coast District Council has launched a new marketing campaign to highlight new or little know features of Kāpiti Island.

Wildlife centres have struggled during the pandemic but new markets are emerging, says Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre’s GM.

Key meetings attended by tourism minister Stuart Nash since taking up the portfolio in November 2020 include those with various taskforce bodies, local councils and industry representatives.

A law change will likely lead to an increase in wine cellar doors and vineyard visitation, says NZ Winegrowers.

Destination Wairarapa GM Anna Nielson says community sentiment towards tourism was positive, with strong bookings in place for the summer season.

Wairarapa Moana has been recognised as a Wetland of International Importance.

The $10m Hoods Aerodrome investment follows recent Government aviation funding for Hawke’s Bay and Hokitika.

“This funding was completely unexpected. It was not talked about or anticipated at all that it would come to the RTOs.”

Hawke’s Bay Tourism has launched its domestic marketing campaign, which aims to “dominate” the Wellington market and drive visitation to the region to revive the local visitor economy.

Dates for the next Wings Over Wairarapa event have been locked in, scheduled for 26-28 February 2021.

The funding means work can start immediately on a $4.5m development project.

Jenna Snelgrove, sales and marketing director at Tranzit Group, on operating in a re-active state as the Covid crisis developed at pace, to now turning the corner and being able to focus on forward planning, opportunities and innovation. 

Greater Wellington Regional Council has started an overhaul of train carriages used on the Wairarapa Line.

Tararua District Council is funding a safety upgrade at the Waihi Falls, off Horoeka Road east of Dannevirke.

The Wellington region saw the biggest increase in visitor spending in 2019, according to the latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates.

The Wairarapa Trails Action Group secured $120,000 to develop a region-wide recreation trail linking the five main Wairarapa towns.

Pūkaha’s GM on the growth of the unique attraction and the challenges of operating a conservation-based attraction.

Destination Wairarapa’s boss, David Hancock, is stepping down from the tourism organisation after eight years at the helm.

Island infrastructure and a dark sky reserve application receive investment.

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Destination Wairarapa topped the table of regional tourism organisation visitor spend growth for November 2018 with a 16% uplift to $16m compared with the same month last year.

Wairarapa showed good growth in both the November 2018 month and year. 

Tourism is one of three key industries identified to help lift the prosperity of the region.

Tourism and transport business Tranzit has taken out the supreme award at the inaugural Wairarapa business awards.

The presence of the potentially toxic algae Phormidium has been confirmed in the Cardrona River, prompting a warning from the Otago Regional Council for people (and dogs) to avoid contact with waters in the river.

An exciting new day tour designed to encourage visitors to Greytown from Wellington will be launched this week.

After four years of successfully guiding the fortunes of leading Wairarapa tourism attraction Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, general manager Helen Tickner is stepping down.

Premium New Zealand wines, paired with stunning views of the regions where they are produced, were on the inflight menu for leading international media and wine experts on Friday.