The sun is shining on the South Island, in our view the best
place in the world to live, visit and do business.
We are fiercely proud of Our Place in the World, the place the
world wants to experience and which we are fortunate to call
home.
Millions of visitors are expected here over the summer season,
however there is nowhere in the world you can't get by flying
internationally from this airport. Make the most of the extra
summer services and fly out of here, through one of our hubs, to
any place in the world you can name.
AIRPORT
HEADLINES
|
FLIGGY
We've launched a South Island Travel Store on Fliggy, a leading
Chinese travel service platform and part of the Alibaba digital
ecosystem. Fliggy reaches more than 600million users and will
promote southern regional tourism. Chinese travellers can book
their travel before they leave home or while they're traveling
through the South Island, get information and promotions in Chinese
about South Island visitor experiences.
|
|
|
CHAMPION BUSINESS
AWARD
We were very proud to be acknowledged at the recent awards for
the work we do to champion the South Island. Judges recognised us
as the major enabler of tourism and trade for Christchurch and the
South Island, through building air connectivity to international
markets, working with the regions' tourism businesses and providing
a world class customer experience at the airport.
|
|
|
TOURISM AWARD
Our work as an enabler of tourism across the South Island's
regions was also acknowledged by our winning a category of the
Tourism Industry Aotearoa Awards. This award focused on the 'South'
initiative, which sees all 13 regional tourism organisations work
collegially with us to promote the whole South Island as a
destination.
|
|
|
BOMA FELLOWS
We have become supporters of Boma NZ to enable Canterbury-based
secondary school educators to explore how to bring exponential
thinking, technology and innovative leadership into their schools.
The Boma NZ Education Fellows will travel to the USA and create
hands-on projects in their secondary schools and for the wider
education community.
|
|
|
MERRY
'KIWIANA' CHRISTMAS
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the airport!
Giant Christmas trees, a Kiwiana Santa, free face painting,
Christmas 'Taste of the South' Markets happening every Friday from
11am - 3pm and a Christmas concert extravaganza on Friday 21
December from 12pm - 3pm. Check out our Facebook page for all the
details.
|
|
Perth is one flight from Christchurch and the Western
Australian city people only ever describe in superlatives.
They say "always sunny", "relaxing", "sapphire blue water and
white sandy beaches", "loads to see and do", "great food and
wine!"
Travel broker Elaine Casey says that's all true, but there's
much more to Perth.
"It's one of the most unspoilt coastlines in the world,
everything in Perth is very close and on the city's doorstep," she
says.
Perth is set along the Swan River and the Indian Ocean and gets
more sunshine than any other Australian city. Elaine recommends a
walking tour or a Segway tour to experience the city and hear its
stories, explore Kings Park (one of the largest city parks in the
world), Swan River, and wind up in the city's hotspot cafes, bars
and restaurants.
"Fremantle is Perth's scenic port city and has modern facilities
in historic settings, including Fremantle Prison from Australia's
days as a British penal colony. The stories are amazing, the
architecture is interesting, and of course there are lovely
wineries nearby."
Elaine highly recommends the short ferry trip to Rottnest
Island.
"It's a great day trip to what feels like a resort island," she
says. "You can swim and snorkel in the crystal clear water, walk,
relax, or choose from accommodation to suit every budget. Getting
up close to a Quokka (a friendly marsupial only found in this
region) is a must-do, and when you eventually drag yourself back to
the city, you'll feel like you've had an island holiday."
Elaine says the combination of sunny weather, relaxed outdoor
fun and lots to do makes Perth an ideal one-flight break from
Christchurch, with laneways, weekend markets, great coffee, ocean
sunsets, wineries and bushlands all good reasons for you to cross
the Tasman.
Air New Zealand flies non-stop between Christchurch and
Perth from December to March, with connections available from right
across Air New Zealand's South Island network.
Two shows which have sold out all over the world while
winning loads of awards will strut their stuff in Christchurch this
summer as part of Bread & Circus - World Buskers
Festival.
LIMBO promises "gut-churning contortion, breath-taking
acrobatics and jaw dropping stunts". LEO tests gravity to leave
audiences literally wondering which way is up.
Scott Maidment is the Bread & Circus Festival director
and creator of LIMBO. He says the show is intoxicating and exotic
and has given more than 800 performances all over the world -
Amsterdam, Bogota, Brussels, Edinburgh, London and Munich, to name
a few.
"There's cabaret, circus, acrobatics, illusion and music,
with world-class performers bending body and mind in a show Madonna
saw twice," he says. "In fact, the very same cast Madonna saw will
be performing in Christchurch.
"People have posted online it's the best show they've ever
seen and critics have used the words 'extraordinary', 'contagious',
'liberating', so we know we're bringing something special to
Christchurch."
The show will be presented in the magnificent 1920s style
Spiegeltent as part of the festival which will spread over a month,
alongside buskers and new food events.
LEO tests what would happen if the laws of gravity suddenly
changed.
"The show is surprising and funny and tests perceptions of
reality," Scott says."It has won festival awards in several
international cities and had great reviews from critics, so it's
Christchurch's turn."
Scott spends most of the year travelling, seeing shows and
meeting performers.
"I'm super excited to bring amazing performers across the
globe to Christchurch. Many have never visited New Zealand before
nor even performed in the Southern Hemisphere, so I've promised
them a great Kiwi welcome - and I'm promising Kiwis fabulous world
class entertainment. There's something for everyone - locals,
tourists, families with kids, and date night. Everybody get
ready!"
The full Bread & Circus - World Buskers Festival
programme is now available online at breadandcircus.co.nz
January 10 - February 3
Spreading joy and laughter is the raison d'être of Clown
Doctors, a group which takes humour very seriously.
Programme director Rita Noetzel says Clown Doctors are
professional performers who go into hospitals to create a positive
atmosphere and relieve stress.
"We say 'Seven days without laughter makes one weak'," she says.
"Laughter makes you feel good and we don't want children to miss
out on that feeling, especially when they're dealing with illness.
We can distract them during difficult procedures, make the hospital
less scary and create moments which can make a big difference."
Clown Doctors wear a white medical coat and a red nose, which
Rita says encourages eye-to-eye contact, is a mark of shared
vulnerability and has a heart full of kindness behind it.
Feedback from grateful parents includes "A ray of sunshine: a
true inspirational act that brings fun moments of freedom away from
the deep stress of what our families are going through, always
leaving an uplifted atmosphere that have swelled the hearts of the
sad." "Thank you Clown Doctors! Your visit lifted spirits and
brought out the first smile of the day." "I had a miserable unwell
child who after seeing the Clown Doctors was instantly a lot
happier and brighter."
Clown Doctors is a social enterprise reliant on funding. The
children's programme is on hold at the moment, while more funds and
Clown Doctors are found (contact smile@clowndoctors.co.nz to
audition).
The programme recently received a grant from the Christchurch
Airport Community Fund, where small change dropped into collection
boxes in the terminal does big things. The airport adds a sizable
donation to the coins, then distributes grants to applicants.
"That grant means we can work towards reactivating the
children's programme at Christchurch Hospital in the future. We
look forward to putting smiles on those faces again soon."
clowndoctors.org.nz
Charities and community groups can apply for funds at christchurchairport.co.nz/communityfund
A young freezing worker who became a jetboat driver liked
his job at Goldfields Jet so much he took an unexpected opportunity
to buy the company.
Cam Jones has spent the past six months making a noticeable
difference to a Cromwell tourism business that's been around for
many years. After driving jetboats for three years, he became
Operations Manager in 2014, and its owner last June.
"We spent the winter refurbishing our four boats, updating
livery, overhauling the website and beginning new forms of
marketing," says Cam. "I have driven boats for enough summers to
know what to expect and customer feedback on the fun they have with
us is very positive."
Cam will continue some driving to get visitors' feedback
on the water. He says thousands of visitors choose Goldfields Jet
for the combination of thrills and history.
"We're the only operators on the southern end of the
Kawarau River, so our rides combine shallow braided waters and deep
water rapids. Tourists, especially from China, love that
combination, as well as the fact that we are based on the site of
an historic Chinese goldmine.
"We work with two local businesses to offer a very popular
half-day trip, becoming a kind of jetboat taxi from the Goldfields
Mining Centre to the Carrick Winery in Bannockburn."
Cam is ambitious for his company.
"We currently get about 10-thousand customers a year and
want to increase that by two thousand a year. We have a new look,
are marketing differently to make our offer clear to visitors and
are the first jetboat base they see. They drive past us to get to
others, we have a distinct historic location and a thrilling ride,
so I believe our offer will attract customers to us before they hit
Queenstown."
goldfieldsjet.co.nz
If you or your child yearn to take the controls of a big
digger, good news! Your dream can come true in
Invercargill.
It won't be black and white, but will be cricket vs rugby, when
New Zealand's biggest sporting stars play T20 cricket in the Hot
Spring Spas T20 Christchurch Black Clash in association with Swisse
at beautiful Hagley Oval on 25 January 2019.
Team Cricket has former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming
leading the charge against former All Blacks coach Sir Graham
Henry's Team Rugby. Both are stacking their teams with big names
for big hits, big scores and big reputations on the line.
Brendon McCullum, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Nathan Astle,
Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg are among the sporting
stars who will use bat, ball and banter to win the bragging rights
for the winning team.
It's a unique Twenty-20 cricket match for kids and their
families to be entertained and get up close to their sporting
heroes, no matter which team they're on.
blackclash.co.nz
January 25
When a journey is ranked among the top ten drives of the
world, it must be great - and no surprise it's in the South
Island!
The spectacular journey between Queenstown and Dunedin, through
Western Southland and the Catlins, is both those things.
The Southern Scenic Route is just over 600km of spectacular
natural and cultural attractions and exciting activities. Take your
pick from wildlife viewing, short walks, mountain biking, surfing,
fishing, boating, and tramping. Add in picturesque coastlines,
remote beaches, lush native rainforests, pristine lakes and
stunning mountain vistas and there's plenty of highlights along
this epic route.
Lyndon McKenzie, co-owner of Mohua Park in the Catlins, says
most of his guests are European, stay an average of two or three
nights, and are all glad of one particular thing - silence.
"Our international visitors cannot believe the quietness of the
Catlins area," he says. "They love it. Our self-contained cottages
sit on 14 hectares of land, most of it within the Queen's covenant
bush. That is protected for ever and not open to the public, but
our guests can walk tracks we have made.
"The valley overlooks the Catlins River and guests really
appreciate not being next door to other people. We don't have
televisions in the cottages, so our guests joke they like watching
'sheep TV'."
Lyndon and his wife Gillian cater for guests who want the
service and offer "good Kiwi tucker."
"New Zealand beef and pan-fried blue cod are the two favourites,
and the favourite dessert is definitely rhubarb crumble," he
says.
There's lots of tasty and tempting favourites on the Southern
Scenic Route, with scenery and silence apparently the perfect
combination.
southernscenicroute.co.nz
One of the most spectacular exhibits of the SCAPE
Public Art Season 2018 was
a 5.5 metre bronze sculpture called 'Mixed
Feelings'.
The sculpture is one of many exalted works by British sculptor
Sir Tony Cragg, its intertwined bronze towers spiralling towards
the sky and from certain angles bringing human profiles into and
out of focus.
Sir Tony says his sculptures are the result of exciting journeys
he takes when he considers materials.
"I find it amazing to take a material, get ideas and spend a
year or more to produce a sculpture," he says. "Sculpture is a very
rare use of materials. Human beings are responsible for dumbing
down materials, but sculpture is a way to transform materials. It's
not about making something beautiful, but about material becoming
beautiful."
The sculptor was knighted for services to visual arts and
UK-German relations and says different people see different things
in his works.
"People bring their own backgrounds to art, so a hundred people
will see a hundred things. I want people to have a rapport or
dialogue with my work. I like people to take time with my work, to
like it or not like it. Considering art helps us find things out
about ourselves."
Told he was recently described in New Zealand as a 'modern day
Picasso', he wasn't sure how to respond.
"Perhaps that description comes from what others see in my
works. I gather it is intended as a compliment and will simply say
I appreciate how people in New Zealand have received me and my
work."
Sir Tony is currently working with wood, preparing for an
exhibition of 15 works in Italy. Recent exhibitions have included
Seventh Avenue in New York and Valencia in Spain, so having this
prestigious piece in Christchurch until January 20, at Christ's
College, has been a coup and a time for very positive feelings.
scapepublicart.org.nz
For many small southern communities, summer promises family
days at the races.
This year will be no exception, with Interislander Summer
Festival race meetings focused on community, family and fun.
Hugh Devereux-Mack of The Races Ltd Partnership says 68,000
people attended almost 30 race events last summer - and this year,
29 race meets are planned from Ruakaka to Wingatui.
"The series has the everyday New Zealander in mind," he
says. "Adults pay no more than $20 and everyone under 18 gets in
free. As well as the races, youngsters can join in events including
boys vs girls tug-of-war (the girls often win!), bouncy castles,
sack races, and fashion competitions.
"There's a big prize on offer too thanks to The Races, a
family holiday for four to the Gold Coast, including flights,
accommodation and attraction passes."
For the past ten years, Interislander and KiwiRail have
supported the series by transporting gear between the islands.
That's six 17-tonne trucks of marquees and six trucks of theming
decorations.
"Our team puts in some very long days, setting up marquees and
summer theming, delivering a great day's fun, then packing up and,
in some cases, doing it all again somewhere else the next day."
This year is especially important for some community racecourses
around the country.
"Some race tracks hosting festival events are facing possible
closure under a Government proposal. For many volunteer-run racing
clubs, the chance to welcome their communities each year is
something they take pride in and work hard to share," says
Hugh.
"We hope communities will show even more support for the
tracks and the events than usual. They're perfect family outings,
with picnic blankets and baskets or food carts on the day, lots of
laughter, lots to see and do with people from your community."
theraces.co.nz/festival/interislander-summer-festival
Chinese dumplings are one of the many aspects of Chinese
life South Islanders have embraced.
Steamed, fried or boiled, you can not only order dumplings when
eating out, but can make them at home, thanks to Chinese
supermarkets which sell the ingredients.
Fang Zhou is typical of her generation, having learned to make
dumplings by watching her grandmother make them. She now teaches
her own grandchildren how to make them and says they all have fun
cooking together.
"I remember making my first dumplings when I was about ten years
old," she says. "I was very curious about cooking and was excited I
could finally help my mother do something in the kitchen.
"Dumplings are a regular part of the Chinese diet and I often
make them when my grandchildren come to visit. The children like to
help make them, mostly so they can eat them!"
Fang says the secret ingredient for dumplings is water.
"When I make the fillings, I add water gradually and mix it with
the minced meat until the meat is fluffy. This makes the dumplings
become juicy and will make the filling tender and melt in your
mouth when you eat them."
Fang's favourite dumpling filling is minced pork, prawns and
garlic chives. The dumplings are served with Chinese vinegar,
perhaps with chilli added.
Though many Chinese families make their own dumpling wrappers,
Fang says it's not necessary, because Chinese supermarkets make
packs of wrappers for a small cost.
Chinese dumplings will be one of the most popular foods at the
South Island Lantern Festival in the Avon River Precinct,
Christchurch, February 22 - 24. The festival promises music, dance,
food and lanterns in and around the Avon River, Worcester Boulevard
and Cathedral Square.
christchurchnz.com/city-events/christchurch-lantern-festival
February 22 - 24
DUMPLINGS
400g pork mince
2 eggs (fried and minced)
8 prawns (chopped)
Small bunch of garlic chives (finely chopped)
1 spring onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp grated ginger
1/2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp chicken stock
1 tbsp cooking wine
1 ½ tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/2 cup water
1 pack of dumpling pastry wrappers (50 pieces)
1. Mix pork mince with salt, grated ginger, chopped spring
onion, soy sauce, and cooking wine.
2. Slowly add water and mix it with the meat, until the meat is
fluffy.
3. Add chopped garlic chives, minced eggs, chicken stock,
cooking oil, and sesame oil into the meat mixture. Stir it until
all the ingredients are well combined. The filling is now ready to
make your dumplings.
4. Get one piece of dumpling pastry, and put some marble sized
filling in the centre of the pastry. Fold the pastry to seal the
dumpling.
Tip:Dip your finger in some water and put the water on the edge
of the pastry before sealing. This will help the dumpling seal
perfectly.
5. Put dumplings in a pot of boiling water and cook for 10
minutes, or until they float to the surface.
A SUMMER
SELECTION
DECEMBER . JANUARY . FEBRUARY
WAINUI GOOD
FOLK FESTIVAL
Banks Peninsula
January 5
The music starts at midday, runs to 9pm and offers a line-up of
acts, including those described as the best blues band on the
peninsula, hypnotic blues and haunting melodies, a troubadour in
every sense of the world and serious fun from Wellington. Food
offered by food trucks along with wine and beer by local
wineries.
akaroa.com/wainui-good-folk-festival
|
|
MCGAZZA
FESTIVAL
Queenstown
January 26-28
A three-day mountain biking festival to celebrate the life of
legendary freeride mountain biker Kelly McGarry, fondly remembered
for his legendary huge backflip over a 70-foot chasm in 2013. The
festival in his memory uses trails including the Ben Lomond Forest,
Wynyard Jumps and Gorge Road Jump parks.
mcgarryfoundation.com/mcgazzafest.html
|
|
ADAM CHAMBER
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Nelson
January 31-February 9
The country's biggest little festival, with some of the world's
best classical musicians coming to Nelson for 10 days of
performances. With resident musicians the New Zealand String
Quartet, the festival is welcoming the international acclaimed
Jerusalem Quartet, violinists Anthony Marwood and Nikki Chooi,
pianist Dénes Várjon, and accordionist James Crabb, along with many
others. Breathtaking music in one of New Zealand's most
acoustically pristine venues.
music.org.nz
|
|
NELSON BUSKERS
FESTIVAL
NELSON
January 31-February 3
Three locations dedicated to fun. The top of Trafalgar Street
offers a constant supply of family-friendly acts. Take your family
(and gold coins for the entertainers) to two evening variety shows
on the Church Steps. For adults-only cabaret shows, go to The
Boatshow on Thursday or Friday evening.
nelson.govt.nz/recreation/festivals-and-events/summer-events-2/nelson-buskers-festival
|
|
RUN THE RIDGE
Central Otago
February 2
The McArthur Ridge Vineyard 'Run the Ridge' event is about
opportunity and challenge. Choose a 5km, 10km (walk/run), 21km run
or the 20km team relay to run or walk through spectacular Central
Otago scenery and among the vines at McArthur Ridge Vineyard. The
wine and craft beer tasting at the end might make it all worthwhile
too!
runningcalendar.co.nz/event/run-vines |
|
OLD GHOST
ULTRA
West Coast
February 26-28
An event not for the faint-hearted. Three things to note - the
course length (85km), the elevation (almost 15km of the trail is
higher than 1000m elevation) and the wilderness setting (through
the middle of nowhere). Limited to 300 hardy and experience
competitors, this event also has a waitlist of people keen to test
themselves as they head north to south from Seddonville to
Lyell.
oldghostultra.com
|
|
