This is always a sad post to write. It means that it’s really all over for another year. It is always a privilege to be the TRENZblog writer. The two weeks that I get to be in New Zealand are always busy. And I do mean BUSY! We’re talking 18-hour days, multiple interviews, activities and then getting the blog posts up in a timely fashion for you to read. And now that Twitter has become more popular, we’re tweeting on a regular basis too. It is definitely challenging. I come home in desperate need of sleep and don’t want to talk to anyone for at least two days. But I wouldn’t change a thing about it!

Each time we produce TRENZblog, I learn a few more things about the right way to travel. First off, that old adage about “packing half of what you think you need” is right. I had a very heavy suitcase (ok, that’s plural – suitcases!) and I didn’t need to bring that much clothing. Next time, I will travel with one small bag and that’s it! (Everyone at AHA is rolling on the floor laughing hysterically at the idea that I could ever not have too much luggage.)

I also had the opportunity to do some different things on this trip – including a coach tour through APT. I have to tell you it’s a stress-free and interesting way to travel! I am a pretty independent traveller and I wondered if I would like this approach. Well, let me tell you – I am sold. The only thing you need to worry about when you take this kind of freedom of choice coach tour is what activity you want to do (there are lots of choice) and what kind of wine to have with lunch!

Another tidbit that I learned is that if you really want to learn about a country or a city, go to the local farmers’ market or take a food tour. I took the Zest Food Tour in Wellington and checked out three local markets. They gave me a real sense of the place and the people – and everyone was so friendly.

And following on the food theme – especially in NZ where excellent food is the standard – finding a place that allows you to connect with the earth and have great food can be an amazing experience. The Wild Food Cooking School at Treetop Lodge (what a place!!) was a highlight for me.

Get out of your comfort zone!! One of my more extreme experiences included going to ZORB and rolling down the hill in a giant ball. It was something I will never forget. Now I can check that off my list and find another whacky thing to do since I have already bungy jumped twice. I am thinking that next year, maybe I should try the Ziptrek in Queenstown.

Get off the ground. While I didn’t have the opportunity this year, I did spend some time with the amazing women from Volcanic Air Safaris in Rotorua. Their tours sound incredible and I am keeping my fingers crossed that next year I get to check out the White Island Active Volcano Tour. Everyone I have spoken with that takes this tour raves about it!

And last but not least, expect to have life changing experiences. I had several while in New Zealand and while most of them started with a special moment in nature, what made them extraordinary could be directly traced back to the person I was with at that time.

I mentioned Tom Bryant of Abel Tasman AquaTaxi – you might remember him, he’s the one that made me eat bug pee! He also shared an important life lesson with me about living in the moment – all while bossing me around in a kayak! I spent time on a horse on a beach with Fiona of Pakiri Beach Horse Rides and that gave me a valuable connection to the world as well. Maori Chef Eru Tutaki at Treetops also opened my mind and my heart about the importance of connecting our food to Mother Nature and being appreciative and grateful for the bounty of the earth. Our volunteer guide Allison at Zealandia was so passionate about the work being done there, you couldn’t help but feel engaged.

Everywhere I turned in New Zealand, a stranger was reaching out and sharing something with me that made me see the world differently – better. They weren’t trying to impart some big picture wisdom of the ages; they were just being who they are and shared their special part of New Zealand with me.

Even at TRENZ, where they could only show me video or images and tell me about their tourism product, the passion and pride that tour operators – like the incredibly charming Kate of Dive Tutukaka – shared with me was inspiring. The people that share their piece of New Zealand with tourists do it because they have a passion for it. They know that it can create a lasting impact, something more than just a pretty picture and a checkmark on a bucket list. They do it because they want to find that special moment with people like you and me, where we share laughter or a quiet moment in awe of the beauty of the world we live in. Or perhaps we get the chance to watch a sea creature, land animal or bird in its natural environment and we feel that connection to other living things. They do it because we carry those memories with us as we go home and we call them up again and again to remind us of how very fortunate we are to be able to visit places like New Zealand.

As I say goodbye for another year, I want to say thank you to all of the people that went out of their way to help with this blog. Thank you to the teams at TIA and Tourism New Zealand – who have never once tried to edit me and who always go out of their way to provide leadership, guidance and support. And a big thank you goes out to the Kiwis who invited me to experience their world, took the time to tell me their stories, and shared extraordinary moments with me in a very special part of the world that I have grown to love.

I hope that this blog helped bring New Zealand and the incredible people I met there to life for you.

If you get a chance, go! I promise you – it will be the trip of a lifetime.

Until next year…Kia ora!

Ruth Atherley

Franklin Country is the ultimate lifestyle destination, combining relaxed country living with savvy city style – all just a short drive from Auckland.

Franklin Country is identified by its lush green boundaries and it features olive groves, vineyards and citrus orchards – which means visitors have a lot to taste!!!

There is horse trekking and jet sprinting. There are also a variety of markets, you can picnic in a secluded bay, paraglide over a black sand beach and shop in boutique style stores. I have to say, this sounds like it’s for me!

Franklin Country offers a diversity of experiences and clearly has something for everyone – from kids to parents to favourite aunties (like me!). Considered to be the adventure playground for Auckland, Franklin provides the opportunity to explore breathtaking scenery. And – a little known fact – this is an area that grows onions and potatoes that are exported worldwide.

Launched about a year ago, the Tourism Exchange has brought over 800 operators. They range from boutique accommodations to holiday parks, hotels, tour operators and attractions.

There is no cost to participate or to book operators via the Tourism Exchange. Resellers (buyers) you can set your distribution fee and your terms of payment.

The Tourism Exchange has a simple, secure online booking centre for traditional agents and a suite of white label options (and web services) for online distribution.

The people from Ralston Marketing have many high quality boutique accommodations and activity suppliers on their roster. They include Atholwood Luxury Country Accommodation in Mapua, Adrift Outdoors in National Park Village, Bay of Many Coves Resort in the Marlborough Sounds, Knapdale Eco Lodge in Gisborne, Bachcare Holiday Homes found across the country, U-Fly Adventure Rides in Wanaka, and - new this year - Waiatoto River Safaris and Hannah’s Homestead in Hasst .

I spent some time in Haast last year and loved it! It is a breathtaking place and these two new products are worth checking out! I had the opportunity to see Hannah’s Homestead as it was just being developed.  I also got to experience Waiatoto River Safaris. It was an excellent experience (see my blog post) and anyone looking to get out there and really connect with Mother Nature will enjoy the adventure!

There is nothing quite like seeing New Zealand from the air. Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters offers awesome New Zealand scenic helicopter flights of the mountains and lakes in and around Queenstown, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park.

I have had the opportunity to see parts of New Zealand from a helicopter and it is incredible. Majestic mountains and dramatic glaciers rising into the sky, then the clear waters of lakes embraced by forests that are so green it feels like you are seeing something that has been photoshopped.

…And for the skiers, there is Southern Lakes Heli Ski.

Something I didn’t know is that heli skiing isn’t just for advanced skiers. The Southern Lakes Heli Ski people operate on several mountain ranges, with the most exclusive access to over 5,000 sq km of powder. There is a wide range of options available for you to get the best possible location for your heli ski adventure, no matter what your level might be.

The people at Southern Lakes Heli Ski take their role as your guide seriously – skiing in the mountains is serious business. The International Federation of Mountain Guides Association oversees their heli skiing program. They have years of experience in heli skiing in the Southern Lakes region and abroad in Canada, Turkey and Alaska.

They provide a ratio of one guide per five guests, making sure you are safe and get the most out of your adventure.

The tourism opportunities that I discover at TRENZ never cease to amaze me. New Zealand has such a wide range of activities, events and accommodation; there really is something for everyone.

One of the more interesting activities is Pa Harakeke, an eco-cultural tourism experience with a difference. It was developed in response to the growing awareness of the environment and the gradual loss of cultural traditions. Pa Harakeke is a fascinating journey into the realm of Tane Mahuta (God of the forest) and Haumiatiketike (God of fern roots) and it includes insight into the life and times of the Ngati Rereahu people. There is much to be learned about the people of New Zealand and their rich cultural heritage.

Through daily tours that include an eco-cultural guided tour and an eco-planting tour, you can learn about the culture and experience different aspects of nature. Nature is a very important part of the Maori world and being out in the forest and feeling the ground beneath your feet, seeing the trees, and taking in the smell and the full experience of the flora and fauna is inspiring. There is something magical about the forests and land in New Zealand; you have to experience it to fully understand the feeling of connection to the earth that it brings.

Pa Harakeke provides down-to-earth guided experiences with people who live in the area and who have a first-hand knowledge of the history, culture and environment in the region called Pureora. It is centrally located between the Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Taupo – and is within an hour’s drive of each.

T.I.M.E. (To Integrate Maori Experiences) Tours Unlimited was established in 2005 and is a highly innovative tourism company focused on providing outstanding Auckland tours.

They offer Auckland tours, Auckland Maori tours, guided wilderness walks, kayaking adventures, kayak fishing tours (they pioneered this activity in New Zealand) and kite fishing tours (they work with the organization that was first in the world to pioneer it).

They are a Qualmark Endorsed Visitor Activity and also have the designation of Qualmark Enviro Gold as one of the most environmentally friendly tourism businesses in New Zealand. In March 2010, TIME Unlimited Tours also won a global tourism award in conjunction with the United Nations.

At TRENZ, TIME Unlimited launched Auckland Maori Tours and Auckland Maori Day Tours EXTRA.

I had the chance to learn more about MoaTrek New Zealand Limited while I was at TRENZ.  This family owned and operated company was first incorporated in the 1970s, so you know they have experience.

MoaTrek offers luxury group tours that are leisurely paced and focus on one or two regions. They call it “cruising by coach” and are popular with discerning travellers who desire a unique, personable tour. MoaTrek is a small group specialist, carrying a maximum of 16 passengers.

The drivers give fresh and personal insight into the country and the accommodations are handpicked to suit the area you are visiting. Added to that, are leisurely lunches (I like the sound of that!) with hosts in their private homes and gardens in amazing locations. MoaTrek is connected throughout New Zealand and can introduce you to local farmers, winemakers, gardeners and chefs, making a truly authentic experience.

Whatever you want to do, MoaTrek can accommodate and set up the trip of a lifetime.

At TRENZ, I had the chance to learn a little more about Ipipiri, the latest addition to the Fullers GreatSights fleet at TRENZ. This is a unique overnight cruise that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Islands. On the cruise, you learn about the region’s historical and cultural significance as you journey back to the birthplace of New Zealand. You can snorkel or kayak in the clear waters and then sit on the rooftop sundeck and relax with a drink.

The overnight experience accommodation is in one of 30 ocean view cabins, each with private ensuite and uninterrupted sea views. Also included are a three-course buffet dinner and a full cooked breakfast featuring local produce. There are complimentary afternoon activities at one of the favourite sheltered bays – that could include snorkeling, kayaking or nature walks.

I am told that starting in September 2010, there will also be a two-night cruise option, allowing guests to extend their wonderful experience in the Bay of Islands.

Another one to add to my wish list for next year!!!!

At TRENZ, GreatSights announced that they are about to launch the Capital Explorer Bus, enabling travellers to hop on and hop off wherever they like in Wellington. With 11 dedicated stops, the one-hour round trip has a set route stopping at iconic places including Te Papa, parliament buildings, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia: The Kaori Sanctuary Experience, and many more.

Affectionately known as HOHO (hop on, hop off), the 30-seat bus will allow patrons to purchase a ticket that is valid for 24 hours (opposed to a one-day ticket). This will allow them to board and exit the bus as many times as they like during the time period.

The bus will help showcase many of Wellington’s world-class attractions and allow visitors to get around the capital city with ease!