Wizards and trolls aren't everyone's idea of a good time, but most people in the Western world have at least seen trailers for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That breathtaking scenery in the background wasn't special effects, that was New Zealand.
This otherworldly scenery might feel like it's in a land far away, but in fact, New Zealand is only a 13-hour direct flight from the West Coast of the U.S., which is even a few hours less than a direct flight to mainland Asia. And, because English is spoken here--with a charming accent, to boot--attendees get to experience an exotic locale sans language barrier.
Made up of two islands--North Island and South Island--New Zealand is slightly larger in size than the U.K. but has a population of only 4 million people. In other words, there's a lot of room to roam here, but also with an urban element that delivers all the conveniences afforded by a superb infrastructure.
"North Island is home to more than two-thirds of New Zealand’s population, and contains two of the largest three cities, Auckland and Wellington, which have world-class conference and incentive capabilities," says Allen Trotter, CEO of Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (www.conventionsnz.co.nz).
North Island: Auckland
Known as "The City of Sails" because it has not just one but three boat-filled harbors, Auckland is home to nearly a third of New Zealand's population and has all the dining, hotels and activities a planner could wish for. Its airport has more international flights than any other New Zealand destination.
The city is manageable but cosmopolitan, and home to a whopping 48 volcanic cones and 50 islands. As Tourism Auckland (www.aucklandnz.com) describes the city, it's an urban environment against a backdrop of Polynesian culture where everyone lives within half an hour of beaches, hiking trails and islands.
The primary meeting facility in Auckland is known as THE EDGE (www.the-edge.co.nz), a complex of four different facilities set in the city's central business district.
But while modern facilities and cosmopolitan cities are in the offing, New Zealand’s proudest product is its unique Maori culture.
"One of the most compelling reasons to come to New Zealand," notes Trotter, "is the indigenous Maori population, who first discovered New Zealand some 1,100 years ago from a mythical land called Hawaiki. Maori culture is alive and well in New Zealand and Maori play an extremely important part in all aspects of New Zealand’s life."
The unique Maori tourism experiences in New Zealand are principally in the North Island center of Rotorua, but groups who aren't able to get out of New Zealand's biggest city will find that Auckland has a wealth of authentic Maori attractions.
North Island: Wellington
The political capital of New Zealand, Wellington is best known for it scenic harbor and the Victorian buildings that decorate its steep hills. The city is also known as the culture capital of New Zealand, as it's home to the national ballet, symphony orchestra, opera, and three professional theater companies.
Tourism officials here (see www.wellingtonnz.com) like to say their city is the creative capital of New Zealand as well--a long list of famous kiwis come from Wellington or now call it home, with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson the most famous of them all. Yes, there is a tour here of the trilogy's important filming and production locations.
On the southern tip of North Island, Wellington is a one-hour plane flight from anywhere in New Zealand, and there are international flights--with a change in Auckland--from the West Coast of North America. Once here, public transportation abounds, but with a downtown that's only a little more that one square mile in size, walking is the easiest way to get around.
The Wellington Convention Centre (www.wellingtonconventioncentre.com) is in the heart of the city, and is an easy stroll to all of the major business hotels. A promising hotel in Wellington--which claims to be the newest and largest in the city--is the Holiday Inn Wellington. Only a half-mile from the convention center, the property has 299 rooms and overlooks the harbor.
The biggest attraction in Wellington is the Te Papa national museum, a new cultural landmark that has a slew of hands-on, interactive exhibits on everything from the history of the Maori people to fashion exhibits from the world's top designers. It's an eclectic, funky place that gets rave reviews from even the museum-adverse.
South Island: Christchurch
The largest city on South Island and the second-largest in New Zealand, Christchurch is a charming city that boasts 2,000 hotel rooms within a short walk of the city's convention center.
"Well respected as New Zealand’s leading convention destination, Christchurch is home to the country’s only purpose-built, and largest, convention center," says Annette Pendergast, manager of Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau.
"Christchurch is the international gateway city to the marine and alpine playgrounds of the picturesque South Island of New Zealand," Pendergast continues. "Renowned for its parks, gardens and neo-Gothic architecture, this is a small yet sophisticated city that boasts some of New Zealand’s finest restaurants, designer shops, leading-edge business facilities, sports grounds, and outdoor and cultural activities."
Christchurch has its own international airport with flights from around the world, and because of its compact size, flat terrain and pedestrian-only paths, it's imminently walkable.
There are a number of venues in the city, but the nearby resorts and thermal pools in the majestic Southern Alps are sure crowd-pleasers. There is almost every outdoor activity one could imagine--Christchurch is one of the few places in the world where one could conceivably go whale watching and skiing on the same day.
All of this hasn't been lost on planners--the number of delegate days in the area has more than doubled over the past two years.
As the backdrop for your next conference or incentive, chances are the magic of New Zealand will cast a spell on attendees--you may need to remind that there's no such thing as hobbits... or are there?
