Best Time of Year to Visit New Zealand

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: The George

The George, a luxury boutique hotel, is the essence of supreme comfort and is renowned for offering a personalised stay and attentive staff as well as two award winning restaurants. Located in the heart of Christchurch overlooking the picturesque Hagley Park and river Avon you will find peaceful Christchurch accommodation just steps from the cultural precinct and key attractions. Impeccable service in an intimate ambience is guaranteed at The George, the only Christchurch Hotel with a one-to-one staff to guest ratio.

Enter the luxurious world of fine dining in Christchurch's most exclusive hotel, The George. Here, Executive Chef Andrew Brown and his team, delight with their skillfully prepared innovative cuisine at two award-winning restaurants, 50 On Park Restaurant and Bar and Pescatore. With a range of function rooms The George is an ideal conference venue and also excels as a wedding venue. With beautiful gardens, fabulous location, attentive service and stunning food, The George is one of Christchurch's top wedding venues.

The George tops the list of Christchurch Hotels and is the only Christchurch Hotel that is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The George was recognised as 'New Zealand's Leading Boutique Hotel' 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 in the World Travel Awards, one of Oceania's top 20 Hotels in the 2009 Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards and voted #1 in New Zealand by Travel + Leisure 'World's Best Hotels Survey' 2010.

Situated overlooking Hagley Park and the Avon River, The George is in the heart of the arts precinct just steps away from Christchurch’s centre and 15 minutes from the Airport. Nearby attractions include Canterbury Museum, Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon, Hagley Park Golf Course, Restart Mall and the Christchurch Casino. It is also around 1 hour from the quaint French settlement of Akaroa and the boutique vineyards of Waipara.

The George offers 2 beautiful venues to choose from; the stunning romantic private garden of The Residence, a private house adjoining the Hotel, and Parkview which offers spectacular views of the Avon River and Hagley Park, or you can opt for exclusive use of both areas. For more intimate gatherings the residence dining room and cocktail area combined with the garden and is the perfect venue to indulge yourselves and your guests. Your choices don’t end there as our team work in consultation with you to design a wedding tailored to meet your specific requirements. From menus, to wine selections, and table dressings, a wedding at The George reflects your choices and personality.

Superb catering is a hallmark of our award winning restaurants, our Executive Chef, Glen Cooper, maintains these same standards to the menus designed for you and your guests. The George can seat up to 90 guests and can provide accommodation for both the wedding party and guests. Another bonus is abundant free car parking allowing easy access for your guests. Only at The George can you enjoy the flare and style of our award winning chefs. And, as you would expect, The George’s renowned service and attention to detail will complete the picture.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Hilton Hotel Auckland

Located 300 meters out to sea at the end of Princes Wharf, the Hilton Auckland hotel is a welcoming haven just a short walk from Auckland CBD. Enjoy stunning views from this Auckland hotel's White restaurant and Bellini Bar or take a dip in the outdoor heated lap-pool with its unique underwater viewing window.

Auckland attractions such as Sky City Tower and Viaduct Harbour are on the doorstep. Enjoy modern fine dining in the stylish decor of White restaurant and sip cocktails over a harbour sunset at the Hilton Auckland hotel's Bellini bar.

Only 5 minutes' walk from the business district, the Hilton Auckland hotel has a business centre, an Executive Boardroom and 7 meeting rooms for up to 400, all with wireless internet access.

From Hilton Guest Rooms to Suites, all the contemporary rooms at the Hilton Auckland hotel have decks or balconies. Step up to a Deluxe Room for a spectacular harbor view

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Blanket Bay

Relax within our elegant yet rustic lodge surrounded by majestic alpine scenery.

Nestled amidst rugged snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's finest Lodge – Blanket Bay. Here we celebrate the art of pure relaxation.

In this spectacular corner of New Zealand discover endless ways to restore your physical and spiritual well-being. There is nowhere else on Earth where there are so many activities so close by – fly-fishing and heli-skiing, the country's best hiking on the Routeburn or Milford Tracks, jetboating and kayaking, 4WD tours, horse riding, art trails and vineyards, plus flight-seeing over the World Heritage Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.

We invite you to stay and find out why Blanket Bay is consistently voted one of the world's best Lodges by many prestigious publications and organizations such as Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, Virtuoso, Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, The Robb Report and Small Luxury Hotels of the World, to name a few.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Travelodge Palmerston North

Situated in the town centre, Travelodge Palmerston North is just a few minutes walk from lively cafes, shops, theatres, art galleries, the museum and the convention centre.

The hotel incorporates a beautiful 3 storey heritage building, built in 1927, and features 85 rooms with modern facilities and conference rooms for up to 500 people.

Palmerston North's central location also places it within an easy two hour drive of the North Island's central plateau ski fields, the beaches and wineries of the Hawkes Bay, Mount Taranaki and historic Maori sites of the Taranaki region, and the rural splendour of the Wairarapa.