February / March 2010 - Newsletter

Ride the trails of their ancestors. Visit the ancient Pa site of a paramount Maori chief, high above the Pacific Ocean. Experience a breathtaking view that reaches far and wide to the horizon. Tread the paths of his people. And enjoy the company of Pakiri Beach Horse Rides, their descendants, and the stories and food they will share with you.

All rides travel along the pristine sands of Pakiri Beach and continue through the dunes with breath taking views to the coastal islands. Ride through groves of ancient Pohutukawa trees, which are ablaze with red flowers in summer. The longer rides take you through pine forests and over lush green farmland.

Book now for the 7 day Coast to Coast track - NZ$3699 per person (availability for 10 February and 14 April). Please contact us for a day-by-day itinerary.

Inclusions: Riding and safety helmets; all country style and BBQ meals, some wine; accommodation in beach house & home stays, bunkhouses and a bush hut; transport to and from Auckland city; all taxes.

At an added cost, alternative arrangements can be made for motel or lodge accommodation. Clients can also choose to dine at a local restaurant at their own expense.

This ride is not for novice riders. Riders must be able to mount and dismount unaided and be comfortable at all gaits. They must be comfortable walking on foot over rough terrain.

There is a weight limit of 90 kgs, they do not take any heavier riders. Pakiri Beach Horse Rides reserve the right to turn away riders who are over this weight upon arrival at the farm.

If there are 2 or less riders there will be a surcharge of $1000 per person and the ride will still go as scheduled otherwise a minimum number of 4 riders is required.

As one of the longest established and most respected motorhome and campervan hire companies in New Zealand Pacific Horizon is committed to making sure that you get the very best New Zealand has to offer.

Pacific Horizon offers one of the very best terms and conditions. They have been operating a simple and honest policy of no hidden charges for many years. Many campervan companies in New Zealand offer far less than they do as standard. For example, the standard rates include free LPG gas for the duration of your hire, no charge for road diesel tax and no extra cost for tire and windscreen repair. More importantly, their insurance covers all parts of the vehicle (top, bottom and everything in between). They also deduct nothing from your credit card for security/bond and have about the lowest standard excess you will find on offer.

Book your Pacific Horizon Motorhome with Mosaic Travel and enjoy our very low daily rates as well as one of the following specials:

• Receive the all-inclusive package for free when paying standard rates (includes $0 excess, no one-way fees, table and chairs, free baby/booster seat) when you travel between 15 October 2010 & 31 March 2011 (pic-kup must be between these dates). Book between now and 30 April 2010. Minimum hire: 7 days

• Free Ferry – Vehicle pick up: Christchurch / drop off: Auckland. Travel between 1 st October and 31 December 2010 (hire must be completed within these dates) – minimum hire: 7 days. Offer is for vehicle only, normal charges apply to all passengers.

• Pay for 14 days & get 7 free. Booking Period: Now - 30th July 2010 / Travel Period: 1st April 2010 – 30th September 2010. Minimum Hire Period: 14 paid hire days. Pick up/drop off info: Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch. For every additional paid 2 days hire over the 14 days a further free day will apply (not limit for free days as long as hire meets travel date conditions).

• 5 day motorhome holiday packages from Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch (pick-up and drop-off from the same location only). Booking Period: Now - 25 April 2010 / Travel Period: until 30 April 10 (the entire hire must be within these dates). 2+1 berth: NZ$840, 4 berth: NZ$890, 6 berth: NZ$980 .

All offers are subject to availability and apply to Pacific Horizon’s 2+1 berth, 4 berth and 6 berth vehicles.

Following the 2009 sell out World Tour, the Top Gear crew have been hard at work getting new ideas together into a huge new Top Gear Live show.

Packed with thrills and spills, featuring the world's fastest cars pushed to their mechanical limits, acrobats laying their lives on the line and some middle-aged men falling over...

All the usual favourites will be there - Jeremy Clarkson, The Stig and this year, James May aka Captain Slow. Kiwi racing legend Greg Murphy will again be joining the show, as well as stunt car drivers Paul Swift, Terry Grant and a host of other talented and crazy motorheads.

Expect an edge-of-your-seat experience with flaming rally cars, extreme underground street racers, cars which change colour, amazing stunts like the World's first indoor loop the loop, the ever popular Cool Wall, pyrotechnics, and enough humour and crazy car antics to warrant a sellout show.

The all-new show will be full of super-charged action, including an impressive compilation of stunts and more of Top Gear's trademark smashes, crashes and customised cars all LIVE in the Action Arena. The Motor Show will be showcasing the most stylish, rare and expensive cars as well as the latest gadgets and luxury goods, guaranteeing the motor-enthusiast 73% more drool than last year.

New to this year’s event is the Top Gear Live festival featuring a full timetable of activity on the Top Gear Live Track, Stunt School, Marque Park and the Prestige and Performance Motoshow.

Find out more here.

(Source: Tourism Auckland)

Over 800 competitors will vie for places in the 28th Anniversary race. The Speight's Coast to Coast is the world’s premier multi-sport event. It is the benchmark by which all other multi-sport events are judged, both here in New Zealand and overseas.

The Speight's Coast to Coast traverses the South Island of New Zealand from Kumara Beach on the Tasman Sea to Sumner Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Over either two days (individuals or two person teams) or the one-day event (individuals only), competitors cycle 140 kms (three stages of 55km, 15 km and 70 km), run 36 km (including a 33 km mountain stage that crosses the Southern Alps) and kayak 67kms of the grade two Waimakariri River through the Grand Canyon of New Zealand, the Waimakariri Gorge.

Top competitors take ten and three quarter hours to cover the 243kms while the slowest time every recorded was twenty-four and a half hours.

Entries open for the event on June 1st each year. Overseas competitors have until 30th November to enter. About 100 international competitors enter each year, from about 15 countries. The event has been won six times by internationals from Australia, Canada, England and South Africa.

The average age in the event is 36 years and the oldest ever was 75 while the youngest 15. The minimum age to enter is 18 and there is no upper age limit. The school teams section has a minimum age of 16.

$240,000 worth of prizes and race pack goodies, finishers medals, two outrageous dinners, a quality event branded shirt and a cold can of Speight's for finishers. Who could wish for more?

The event is divided into three races - the One-Day or Longest Day event is for individuals only while the Two-Day event is for individuals and two person teams. In the Teams section the runner and the kayaker both do cycling stages. The only requirements for the race are that you meet the minimum age and provide a grade two kayaking certificate if you're an individual or a team kayaker. Oh yes, you should also be fit!

(Source: Christchurch City Council)