News
 |
New Zealand Technology helps Avatar become highest grossing movie EVER!
The top spot of highest grossing movie, which until recently was held by Titanic, has been taken over by sci-fi spectacular Avatar. The total worldwide sales for Avatar were sitting at $1.859 billion on 26 January, after just six weeks, which
is more than the $1.843 billion that Titanic grossed over 1997 and 1998.
Director James Cameron has definitely confirmed his reputation as the worlds best director, as he directed both Titanic and Avatar, now the two highest grossing films ever!
Weta Digital in New Zealand used state of the art technology to produce the film Avatar and it is the most expensive film ever made, with a price tag of around $400 million after more than five years in production time. The cost was well worth it
though as Avatar has already won a Golden Globe and is a front runner for an Oscar nomination in February.
The action-adventure movie, starring Sigourney Weaver, is set in 2154 and tells the tale of a disabled ex-Marine sent to the planet Pandora to infiltrate a race of three-metre blue aliens and persuade them to let his employer mine their homeland for natural
resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
America's Next Top Model Arrives in New Zealand
Filming is now under way for cycle 14 of America's Next Top Model and Tyra Banks has touched down in New Zealand! Filming began in the last few days and is known to be taking place in locations including Auckland and Queenstown. Tyra also spent her 36th
birthday on December 5th in New Zealand while filming. Rumours are also rife that Tyra will be joined here by new judge American Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley.
In previous cycles of the show, the models travel to various countries to compete in challenges involving local designers. This will be a major boost to New Zealand's reputation of producing world class fashion! |
|
|
|
 |
South Island Location on way to gaining World Heritage status
The South Island's Tekapo-Aoraki night sky has been approved to go to the next stage of being declared a World Heritage reserve site. The United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization held a meeting on Wednesday in the Canary Islands where the bid by New
Zealand was one of five to be accepted. The other four bids to be accepted were from Austria, Spain, Chile and Hawaii. The five bids will go through the process for the final stage of approval athe a world heritage meeting in Brazil next year.
The area around Tekapo, in the South Island is well known for its dark unspoiled skies with one of the most accessible observatories in the world located on Mt John.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Zealand Tourism Operator Wins International Award
Whale Watch Kaikoura was awarded the supreme award at the responsible tourism awards in London on 11 November. After picking up the award for being the winner of the "best in a marine environment" category, the Kaikoura company won the overall award at the Virgin Holidays
Responsible Tourism Awards. The awards are part of World Reponsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market. Whale Watch Kaikoura provides their services to over 100,000 visitors per year and as well as whales, the tours also frequently get to encounter fur seals, dusky
dolphins and albatross'. |
| |
|
|
|
Worst Kept Secret: New Zealand voted Top Long Haul Destination
Once again New Zealand has been voted by readers of The Guardian, The Observer, and guardian.co.uk, as the favourite long-haul destination for travellers. Travellers choice of New Zealand as their favourite destination, is prompted by an advertisement currently
running on UK television, "What Do You Say UK?", featuring real British traveller's talking about their travel experiences. Travellers highlight all the fun activities available in the Youngest Country on Earth. |
| |
|
|
|
"Thanks a Million Oz"
Fancy a Millionaire's Holiday in New Zealand?
Tourism New Zealand found a way to say Thank You to Australia for the one million visitors who visit New Zealand every year.
Participants had 25 words or less to describe New Zealand, and Shannyn Gourley from Victoria chose poetry to describe her thoughts about New Zealand;
"Spirits depleted, Boredom Chronic. New Zealand adventure, perfect tonic! Mixing one part adrenaline, scenery for good measure, stir in adventure, pour out PLEASURE!"
|
| |
|
|
|
1 Million Australian Visitors Come to New Zealand
In the 12 months to May 2009, over 1 million (1,001,880) Australians have arrived in New Zealand. On June 22, the New Zealand Tourism Board began the 'Thanks a Million' campaign, in which Australian visitors go in the draw to win a 'millionaires holiday' in
New Zealand. Since 1999, the number of visitors from Australia has doubled, up from just over half a million then. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
