PLENTY OF EXCITING new developments in the Lake Taupo region are adding to the destination’s already huge C&I popularity.
Lake Taupo has plenty to crow about these days with a number of new developments either under construction or poised to. First opened in 1889, the 18-room Terraces Hotel is currently being redeveloped. An historic landmark but beautifully renovated the boutique hotel will soon be able to offer meeting facilities for up to 300 in a new conference centre which is part of the expansion. The development includes a four-storey apartment complex comprising 40 two-bedroom apartments to be completed by June next year. Huka Village Resort, recently taken over by new directors Kensington Properties, is soon to be redeveloped.
The iconic colonial village will feature new villas, an upgraded conference centre and a small retail complex. The village will take on a French flavour with the new villas constructed in the style of chateaus, maisons and maisonettes. These will add to the 33 villas already available. A third major development for the region is Kinloch Golf Resort, the Jack Nicklaus “Signature Golf Course”, featuring 18-holes, 50 villas and the Kinloch Golf Club. The course is still under construction with the front nine holes to open mid-2006 and the back nine holes scheduled for play later this year.
Construction of the lodge is also set for late 2006 and is to be completed next year. The lodge will feature fine and casual dining, a bar, lounge, spa and health facilities, and overnight accommodation. The entire development is set on 850 acres and will include a surrounding residential community. Possibly the largest tourism development to take place in the region is the construction of a six-star $285 million resort beginning mid-2006.
Anticipated to be open by the end of 2007, the resort will be set against the stunning Karangahape Cliffs on the western shores of the lake. When complete it will provide accommodation for 750 guests. But development will be staged and consist of a 19-room luxury lodge and conference facility, and 156 accommodation units. The other major development is the brand new Taupo Fasttrack park which features the widest and longest circuit track in the country.
On the outskirts of Taupo, the track is already pulling crowds of 15,000 to watch the New Zealand V8s race and plans are underway for a classic racing car museum, an upstairs cafe, 32 ground floor garages with a conference room above and corporate boxes within.
Currently under construction are racing-related retail suites while corporate groups will have the opportunity to participate in hot laps. Destination Lake Taupo Convention Bureau manager Di Christie believes the new C&I product will generate even more interest in the region, which is already attracting 10 per cent of the national market. “There’s lots of new stuff happening and it’s really exciting and vibrant,” Ms Christie said.
For more information contact Destination Lake Taupo on (07) 376 0402.
MEET, EAT AND SLEEP
Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels
Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo, upgraded from a Copthorne last year, is a Mediterranean-style resort situated right on the shores of Lake Taupo. It features 51 rooms, 43 with lake and mountain views and eight beside the heated pool. The boutique property can cater for 140 delegates and has two conference rooms and a boardroom. It is continually being refurbished with another six deluxe rooms to be completed in May. The hotel adjoins the Oasis Beach Resort which features another 22 rooms, bringing the total to 73. For more information telephone (07) 378 5110, email sales@manuels.co.nz or visit www.millenniummanuelstaupo.co.nz.
Tongariro Lodge
Situated on 22 acres of land on the banks of the Tongariro River, Tongariro Lodge is predominantly a trout fishing lodge. Located just north of Turangi, the lodge features 10 one-bedroom chalets and 17 three-bedroom executive cottages, some of which have just been rebuilt at a higher level to get an even better view of the river. The newest house is an outstanding property featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms, not to mention an amazing outdoor deck. The lodge also has a brand new conference centre catering for 120 delegates and a dining and bar area. For more information telephone (07) 386 7946, email sales@tongarirolodge.co.nz or visit www.tongarirolodge.co.nz.
 Huka Lodge
Set in seven hectares of park-like grounds on the outskirts of Taupo is the famed Huka Lodge. Consistently listed among the top retreats of the world, Huka Lodge’s renowned four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage is home to celebrities and dignataries when they visit. The lodge itself has just 20 guest suites, each tucked privately along the Waikato riverbank. It can hold intimate functions in its Trophy Room, and private dinners on the terrace, in the library, wine cellar, on the riverbank, or even in the garden. For more information telephone (07) 378 5791, email reservations@hukalodge.co.nz or visit www.hukalodge.co.nz.
 Powderhorn Chateau
The Powderhorn Chateau in Ohakune is literally at the bottom of the Turoa skifield road making it ideal for incentivebased conferences. It has 30 rooms plus a luxury apartment featuring three bedrooms. Its purpose-built conference room can seat 80 theatre-style plus the upstairs Matterhorn Restaurant can also be used as a function room, while the downstairs Powderkeg Restaurant turns into a popular pub at night. For more information telephone (06) 385 8888, email powderhorn@xtra.co.nz or visit www.powderhorn.co.nz.
Bridge Fishing Lodge
With 23 rooms and seven self-contained apartments, Bridge Fishing Lodge in Turangi is ideally located next to the Tongariro River. The three-star lodge, originally built in 1931, is slowly being upgraded and rebranded in a continuing refurbishment of the property. It has two conference facilities including the Heritage Room which seats up to 60 people and The Sanctuary which can hold 16 people. The lodge also has a fully licensed restaurant and bar, spa pool and sauna and helicopter landing area. For more information telephone (07) 386 8804, email info@ bridgefishinglodge.co.nz or visit www.bridgefishinglodge.co.nz.
Bayview Chateau Tongariro
The stunning Bayview Chateau Tongariro sits at the base of Mt Ruapehu in the dual world heritage Tongariro National Park. A $7 million development of the hotel is now complete with a whole new wing of 40 rooms taking the accommodation rooms up to 106. It includes one royal suite known as Te Heu Heu Suite, four executive spa suites which feature spa baths and gas fireplaces, and 34 run-of-house rooms. A conservatory at the rear of the hotel with views up to Mt Ruapehu links the new wing and the hotel. This new conservatory is a multi-function space containing a bar and entrance to an outdoor deck area. The Tongariro Room is the main function space catering for up to 160 delegates theatre-style. For more information telephone (07) 892 3809, email info@chateau.co.nz or visit www.chateau.co.nz.
Suncourt Motor Hotel
Suncourt Motor Hotel & Conference Centre in Taupo offers magnificent lake and mountain views. The property features 52 units and three conference rooms, catering for up to 100 people in Swifts. However the room is being extended and by August it will be able to cater for 150 delegates and feature an adjoining outdoor area. The smaller Lemuels can hold 30 theatre-style while the boardroom takes 20. Guests can stroll two minutes along the lake front from the hotel to the boat harbour, town centre, cafés and night life. For more information telephone (07) 378 8265, email stay@suncourt.co.nz or visit www.suncourt.co.nz.
Great Lake Convention Centre
The Great Lake Convention Centre, situated in Taupo, can seat 600 theatre-style in its hall and 420 banquet-style. Other rooms include the Rimu Room (80 theatre-style), the Green Room (up to 20 boardroom-style) and 360 people in the centre’s theatre. There’s also the East Wing and Conservatory which is used for exhibitions while the neighbouring domain can also be used as an extension to the centre. The centre is currently undergoing a soft refurbishment including a new colour scheme and new branding can also be expected from early April while the website is being redeveloped in July. For more information telephone (07) 376 0340, email jlynskey@taupovenues.co.nz or visit www.taupovenues.co.nz.
Bayview Wairakei Resort
Just 9km north of Taupo, Bayview Wairakei Resort features 187 guest rooms and villas. A new outdoor area has been created by the resort’s outdoor pool while an upgrade of the outdoor spas has just been completed. Forty standard rooms are also to be overhauled along with 34 deluxe rooms. The four-star resort, set in the heart of the stunning Wairakei Thermal Park on 169 acres, has conference facilities for up to 600 delegates and is 1km down the road from the famous Wairakei International Golf Course. For more information telephone (07) 374 8021, email elizabeth.burton@wairakei. co.nz or visit www.wairakei.co.nz.
MUST SEE AND DO
Huka Prawn Park
Nestled on the banks of the beautiful Waikato River, New Zealand’s only prawn park offers so much to do. There’s personalised tours of the unique hatchery where visitors will not only see how New Zealand’s freshest prawns come about but if brave enough they can help feed the babies. There’s also a prawn peeling demonstration and the opportunity to taste the delicious produce. Very few have the skills necessary to land the mighty prawn however, prawn fishing is hugely popular, and if you hook one, it can be cooked at the Huka Prawn Park restaurant. The restaurant’s location allows diners to eat alfresco virtually on the banks of the river. They can treat themselves to a stunning selection of prawn dishes (or nonprawn if preferred), while the restaurant is also available for large functions accommodating up to 400 guests. Huka Prawn Park is open daily from 9am till 5pm with tours kicking off every 30 minutes. For more information telephone (07) 374 8303, email nzprawn@xtra.co.nz or visit www.prawnfarm.com.
 Chris Jolly Outdoors
Cruising on Lake Taupo has never been easier with Chris Jolly Outdoors. The company offers four charter launches which can comfortably accommodate groups from two to 120. Try trout fishing or clay target shooting from the boat while having a meeting, function or dinner on board. The company, with its head office at Taupo Airport, also has two helicopters (Clark & Jolly Helicopters) which are used for transfers from Auckland to Taupo. They offer fully guided fly-fishing excursions on the rivers and guided walks plus hunting trips from their lodge in the Wairarapa. For more information telephone (07) 378 0623, email chrisj@chrisjolly.co.nz or visit www.chrisjolly.co.nz.
Taupo Motorsport Park
The brand new Taupo Fasttrack park features the widest and longest circuit track in the country. Built to FIA Grade 2 standards the track will soon be FIA Grade 1 once it gets its license. The track, on the outskirts of Taupo, is already pulling crowds of 15,000 to watch the New Zealand V8s race. There’s also a quarter mile drag racing strip which is the widest, longest and flattest in the country. Plans are underway for a classic racing car museum, an upstairs cafe, 32 ground floor garages with a conference room above and corporate boxes within. The conference room will be designed so that a car can be driven inside. Already under construction are racing-related retail suites. For more information telephone marketing manager Paul Fallon on 021 733 462. A website, www.fasttrack.com was still under construction in March.
 Scenic Cycle Rides
The sealed mountain road from the Turoa skifield down Mt Ruapehu to Ohakune makes a perfect scenic mountain bike ride. Although the first stage of the 17km ride is rather steep, the rest of the ride is quite pleasant with a few up and downhill bursts. The views from the start are amazing and if it’s clear enough it’s easy to see Mt Taranaki. The drive up to the start is informative with information on the surrounding vegetation and on the way down there’s a waterfall stop, to view where one of the scenes from Lord of the Rings was filmed. All the gear is provided including gloves, helmets and highlighter jackets. For more information telephone 021 607 294, email ride@seniccycles.co.nz or visit www.sceniccycles.co.nz.
Outdoor Pursuits Centre
The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand was established in 1973 to provide outdoor pursuits training for young New Zealanders. OPC Tongariro now provides a wide variety of corporate team-building and leadership courses in the beautiful wilderness area of the Central North Island, adjacent to the Tongariro National Park. Fun, and expertly managed, the teambuilding activities include high ropes courses, gorging, caving, treasure hunts, climbing and much more. The centre can also cater for meetings and accommodation with the Genesis Outdoor Leadership School which sleeps 30 and the Youth Development Centre which can sleep up to 60. For more information telephone (07) 386 5511, email opc@opc.org.nz or visit www.opc.org.nz.
 Corporate Adventures and Kitenui Farm
Together with Nick Berryman’s Corporate Adventures, visit the exclusive theme venue Kitenui Farm. Just north of Taupo, the 450 acre farm is owned by Murray Matuschka and is home to 1200 deer of seven different types. A talented painter and sculptor, Mr Matuschka’s artwork adorns what was once a woolshed, which has been transformed into a rustic dinner setting downstairs for 120 people while upstairs is perfect for cocktails. The venue is surrounded by a stunning country garden or delegates can opt for a farm tour and experience hand-feeding the deer, and view the Himalayan Thar, Zebra and Scottish Highland Cattle thanks to Mr Matuschka’s zoological licence. For more information on the farm or Corporate Adventures telephone (07) 350 1533, email team@ action-nz.co.nz or visit www.action-nz.co.nz.
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