Best Time of Year to Visit New Zealand

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Experience the sophistication of Queenstown Park Hotel, a haven of luxury accommodation for all seasons. A boutique hotel with a modern romantic style and exclusive service awaits.

Stay in designer luxury accommodation, close to Queenstown's vibrant shopping, cafes and nightlife. Savour views of Queenstown's mountains from every luxury room and suite.

Delight in your Queenstown vacation, romantic escape or executive retreat at our exclusive boutique hotel. At Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel your comfort and pleasure is our highest concern.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Peppers Parehua Martinborough

Just over an hour by road from Wellington is the world famous wine-growing region of Wairarapa with vineyards, pastoral farms, and rolling green hills on a rugged New Zealand coast. On its outskirts lies Peppers Parehua Martinborough – a meticulous sprawling Parehua country estate, with large sweeping gardens, luxury Martinborough accommodation and panoramic views. A complete destination in its own right, Peppers Parehua Martinborough takes you on a journey where the region's best food and wine takes centre stage and your every wish and desire is catered to. After all, your Peppers experience is truly all about you.

Peppers Parehua offers luxurious accommodation in the beautifully scenic district of Martinborough, the Cottages and Villas are character filled with charming touches. The decor is contemporary with neutral tones and splashes of colours that blend in with the surrounding landscape. All rooms have a delightful open fireplace giving a warm and cosy ambiance. Choose from our Winemakers Cottages, Secluded Cottages, Garden Cottages, Lakeside Cottages, and Woodland Villas all featuring New Zealand art and providing the perfect retreat for romance, celebrations or just a little time out for yourself.

Let food and wine take centre stage. Let Pavilion Restaurant Martinborough at Peppers Parehua introduce you to the best of the region. World-class food and wine have long been synonymous with Peppers. It's just something they have known would always appeal to those that appreciate the finer things in life. Relax and indulge in the retreat's onsite Pavilion Restaurant intimate dining room and take pleasure in a deliciously intriguing menu overlooking the meticulous gardens of the country estate, whether you choose from a full a la carte service or a defined six-course degustation menu. Whether you prefer wine or beer to complement your meal, let the team cater to your every whim.

Peppers Parehua Martinborough features the Pavilion – a perfect space to play board games, read and relax whilst looking out on the surrounding lawns and trees. The Pavilion also has a restaurant and open-air bar where guests can enjoy pre-dinner drinks. Bicycles are also available for hire for those who wish to venture further through the village and Martinborough vineyard tours. There are just so many things to do in Martinborough, you'll be spoilt for choice each day. Take time out to relax at Spa Boutique Parehua, be pampered with luxurious treatments by our highly qualified therapists and experience complete relaxation onsite at our beautiful spa at Peppers Parehua Martinborough.

Sitting in the midst of internationally acclaimed vineyards, Peppers Parehua gives you the freedom to choose your own magical setting for your Wairarapa wedding. Whether you wish to exchange vows by the willow-fringed lake or have an indoor winter wedding by the roaring fireplace, Peppers Parehua promises a heart-stirring Martinborough wedding during every season.

Martinborough on New Zealand's North Island is one of the world's greatest wine growing regions, with over 40 wineries and many more vineyards growing grapes. Renowned for its pinot noir, Martinborough wineries have also received international awards for many of their other varieties. Located in the Wairarapa region and just over 75 minutes east of Wellington, the village of Martinborough is a unique wine village with 30 wineries within walking distance, a charming town square, numerous restaurants, cafes, galleries and heritage architecture. The close proximity of the region's attractions allow you to create your own Martinborough wine touring experience.

The history of winemaking in Martinborough goes back to 1978 when the first vineyard was planted but it wasn't until 1986 when Larry McKenna arrived from Delegatas in Auckland to take charge of the winemaking at Martinborough Vineyard that national and international accolades and recognition were achieved. Many of the wineries are open for tastings and sales throughout the year and several also have restaurant or cafe facilities serving exquisite food. If time does not allow for travelling to all the wineries, in the centre of town the Martinborough Wine Centre offers a wide range of the region's wines for you to sample all under one roof.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Bay of Coves

Discover a new kind of five star luxury lodge in the Marlborough Sounds …
It’s surprisingly easy to find yourself a world away.

And, even arriving becomes part of the destination. Enjoy the all-too-brief journey from the ‘mainland’, by water or air, through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

Our luxurious retreat is a sanctuary in every sense, surrounded by the timeless beauty of Nature herself in the Marlborough Sounds. A place to relax, escape the everyday and discover the exceptional.

Immerse yourself in our pristine natural setting, with bush that extends down to the very water’s edge of our secluded bay. Internationally-renowned walking tracks and adventure cruises await you on our doorstep. And, with our world-class chefs close at hand, we are dedicated to a unique experience that is unforgettably yours.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort

If you're looking for relaxation, a climate encompassing magnificent snow in winter, glorious sun during summer and with world-class outdoor pursuits, all surrounded by spectacular scenery, then set your sights on Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort in beautiful Wanaka.

Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka is a 4 star hotel set in a stunning mountain landscape offering majestic views overlooking the Southern Alps. The resort features heated rock pools, seven hot tubs, gymnasium, sauna, the Sanctuary Day Spa and Restaurant to provide guests with a unique and relaxing experience.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pasture-land in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The perfect setting for honeymoons and romantic breakaways.

On the exterior, the Lodge resembles a cluster of farm buildings. Local materials are incorporated into graciously scaled rooms full of natural light and unexpected treasures. Comfort and ease are at a premium, with each room taking on a character of its own while harkening back to the rural feeling of the New Zealand sheep station and wine country.

The main lodge features many warm and welcoming common areas in which to relax, including lounge and dining spaces and 'outdoor rooms'. Roaring open fires, contemporary art and stylish interior design await you here. The main lodge also features a wine cellar with tasting room and a fully-equipped gymnasium.

The Lodge accommodation has 22 guest suites, and a Four Bedroom Owner's Cottage and is just a 60 minute flight from Auckland. Every suite offers its own private balcony and affords spectacular views of the property, golf course and Pacific Ocean.

Spacious cottages, each with breathtaking views, open to large porches
overlooking a stunning Pacific panorama. Each cottage suite has room controlled air conditioning, high-speed wireless internet, remote control flat screen LCD TV, DVD player, CD player with iPod connection, security safe, fully stocked mini bar, walk-in closet, spacious bathroom with heated towel rack, separate WC and shower stalls, oversized bath tub, and twin vanities. 180 degree panoramic views of the farm, golf course and Pacific Ocean are enjoyed from each suite's private balcony. Interior design is by Linda Bedell of Aspen, Colorado.

Our Culinary team always aims to source produce as locally as possible, and with an idyllic Hawke's Bay location, their "food miles" have been relatively few. Now with the Cape Kidnappers' vegetable garden in place and its close proximity to the lodge, our chefs are able to create daily menus based on what is freshest, utilising many vegetables straight from the garden and offering the most seasonal produce to our guests. Depending on the season we have a wide variety of different vegetables growing and we would be delighted to show you through.

We pride ourselves on making as much as we can on site. Our Pastry Chef makes everything from scratch here at The Farm – from cereals, cookies, breads, jams, exquisite pastries to ice cream. Our chocolate chip cookies are gaining legendary status and the smell of melting chocolate wafting from the kitchen means our chefs are making one of their wonderful desserts for the night's dinner menu.

The par 71 championship golf course measures 7,119 yards or
6,510 meters and will challenge every skill level. Designed by Tom Doak, currently the hottest architect in golf, the course has been voted Number 22 Best Golf Course in the world by Golf Digest, the world's leading authority on the subject.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers a wide variety of active and passive activities for guests to enjoy during their stay. We invite you to take full advantage of everything on offer.<ul><li>full-service luxury spa
<li>fitness centre
<li>outdoor heated pool
<li>jacuzzi/spa
<li>pool cabana
<li>Golf
<li>hiking
<li>kiwi walks
<li>gannet safari
<li>farm tour
<li>Wine tours
<li>fly fishing
<li>Art Deco tour
<li>horseback riding
<li>river kayaking
<li>And more!</ul>