September/October 2009 - Newsletter

An evening at Mitai will give you an authentic introduction to Maori culture leaving you amazed and in awe. Enter the world of Mitai. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting, see warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream, and don’t miss your only opportunity in the Rotorua area to see glow worms in their natural habitat.

Marvel at the crystal clear water full of eels and trout, flowing directly from the earth at the sacred Fairy Spring. See your traditionally cooked hangi meal being lifted from the ground. During the cultural performance, you will learn about their past, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art). Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat, coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance. You will be amazed by the spine tingling haka finale. The Mitai family is proud to have created a sacred and spiritual place that offers you an indigenous cultural experience like no other.

On arrival at Mitai Maori Village, you are welcomed by the family members and guided to your table in the dining area. Here, you will receive an introduction into Maori customs and traditions, rituals, beliefs, protocol and language. As this is an interactive part of your evening visit to their village, feel free to ask any questions you might have. One of the guests will be asked to be the group’s representative for the evening, as at the start of the cultural performance, you will also experience a formal Maori welcome (Powhiri).

Mitai are proud to offer you an authentic hangi meal that is cooked in the earth oven known as 'the hangi pit'. Your menu includes a hot selection of succulent New Zealand Lamb & Chicken, Potatoes (Rewai), Sweet Potato (Kumara) and stuffing (a combination of Bread, Mixed Herbs, Corn, Carrots & Peas). Side dishes include scalloped potatoes baked with a cheese topping and freshly baked Garlic Bread. A range of salads is on offer including Corn salad, Cauliflower with Sesame Seeds, Rice, Ranchslaw and Freshly Tossed Garden Salad. Your hangi meal is complemented with rich brown gravy and thick mint sauce. Desserts include tropical Fruit Salad, chocolate Log, and Trifle with Cream. Full bar facilities are available and Chilled Spring Water straight from Fairy Spring is served to your table.

Volcanic Air Safaris is conveniently located at the Rotorua City Lakefront on the shores of Lake Rotorua. They offer you an extensive range of scenic helicopter flights and scenic floatplane air tours. Land on the Active Volcano of White Island or enjoy a flight over Mt Tarawera.

The main theme of their scenic flights is to showcase the many crater lakes, volcanic and geothermal landscape of the region Rotorua and Bay of Plenty. Imagine landing on and staring down the crater of New Zealand’s most active volcano – White Island, or viewing the destruction caused by the dramatic 1886 eruption of Mt. Tarawera volcano with a landing in Rotorua’s hottest geothermal park – Hells Gate. Following are just two of the tours offered by Volcanic Air Safaris:

Helicopter White Island- land on and explore an active volcano!

Your flight takes you north over Hell’s Gate Thermal Valley to the Pacific Ocean coastline and the active olcano of White Island. Land at the crater’s rim and spend approximately one hour on a guided walk of this fascinating natural attraction. Experience the volcanic fury of the main crater, view sulphur deposits, and the remains of the old sulphur mine. NZ$745 per adult (Allow 3 hours, minimum numbers apply)

Orakei Korako  - Hidden Valley Landing and Tour

Take an amazing flight over the Crater Lakes District and the volcanic rift of Mt. Tarawera. Continue south via Waimangu and Waiotapu Thermal Areas to land at the Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako. Transfer by boat across the lake to explore the bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers and natural beauty of this hidden geothermal wonderland. Rejoin your aircraft for the return trip to Rotorua. NZ$415.00 per adult via Floatplane / NZ$495.00 per adult via Helicopter (Allow 2 hours 15 minutes, minimum numbers apply)

The ASB Queenstown JazzFest 2009 is Queenstown’s major springtime event - an 11-day programme of live music from October 16 to 26 showcasing a breadth of jazz styles from around New Zealand and the world.

2008 saw more than 50 bands and 200 performers inspire and entertain through a programme of 80 free events, premium ticketed headline concerts, free workshops from leading jazz exponents, and master classes taught by top international tutors.

Local bars, cafes and hotels pulled out all the stops to really bring the festival to life, the town was buzzing and the quality of acts performing was fantastic.

The ASB Queenstown JazzFest is a not for profit, community owned event, organised by the Queenstown JazzFest Trust. It could not take place without the support and ongoing funding, by a significant number of NZ funding agencies.

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