auckland Travel Guide

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The Who, What, Where, and Why of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards

November 16, 2011 at 10:46 AM | by | Comments (0)

Harvest may be over in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere, but south of the equator they’re headed into spring, and in New Zealand, that means it’s time for the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, the biggest, most prestigious wine competition on the country. And yes, it’s sponsored by an airline.

6.5 MILLION GLASSES OF WINE

We’ve already explained just what makes Air New Zealand’s wine program so unique—including the fact that the airline takes its role as an ambassador of all things New Zealand very seriously, leading its top brass back in 2004-2005 to make the decision to serve only New Zealand wines (except Champagne and Port) on its planes, and that it serves over 6.5 million glasses of NZ wine a year, making it the largest single server of New Zealand wines in the world.

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Flying 14 Hours in Air New Zealand's Snazzy New White 'Spaceseat'

October 4, 2011 at 4:34 PM | by | Comment (1)

And now a dispatch from DJ Max Graham, who's somewhere off in the world...

I spent 36 hours with Air New Zealand recently; that's 14 hours in the infamous Skycouch on the way to Auckland from LA, many hours in assorted airport lounges, and 14 hours back, where I was lucky enough to be upgraded to Business the new Premium Economy called "Spaceseats." This is my review of that second leg.

First off, Air NZ gets it. Not only are they pushing the boundaries of the in-flight experience with completely innovative and unique products, but their staff are simply excellent. The small country has a pride you can feel in the flagship airline’s staff, and smiles were all around.

I was extremly excited to try the “Spaceseat” on the new Boeing 777-300ER and ended up with a bulkhead window and no one beside me. Right away I felt as if I was accidentally in business class, hoping nobody catches me. There’s no way this is just an economy product! But it is. Bottled Water, pillow and blanket greeted me as I entered my pod.

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Inside Air New Zealand’s Koru Lounge at Auckland Airport

February 8, 2011 at 12:20 PM | by | Comments (0)

As part of our Airport Lounge Series, we’ve already taken you inside Air New Zealand’s expansive Koru Lounge at LAX. But while we were on our way back from New Zealand to the U.S. after checking out the airline’s nifty new 777-300ER, we hung out in Air New Zealand’s flagship international lounge at Auckland. Thus, of course we’re going to bring inside as well, with a look at all its amenities, including a photo gallery and video. So get ready to say Kia Ora…and sign up for a foot massage!

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Tried and True Tips for Auckland from an Air New Zealand In-Flight Concierge

January 13, 2011 at 10:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

All this week, Special Jaunted Correspondent Eric Rosen takes us on a whirlwind field trip to New Zealand’s Other Wine Regions. Sure, now that it’s summer down there they might be sipping on those tropical, grassy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc’s we’re all familiar with. But as he finds out, there's much more and most if it is within an hour of New Zealand’s major cities. Here, he's back up in the sky to get a few tips from the Air NZ crew themselves.

Of course we were thrilled to be on the delivery flight of the first of Air New Zealand’s new 777-300ER’s from Los Angeles to Auckland, but that also meant we were going to Auckland! We’d never hit New Zealand’s largest city before, and thus we were at a loss for what to do when we landed. Thankfully we had someone like Jo Walker, the In-Flight Concierge, onboard to tell us where to go and what to do. Here's what she recommends for a few Kiwi good times:

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How to Look Good After a Long-Haul Flight: 8 Beauty Tips from Flight Attendants

January 11, 2011 at 11:48 AM | by | Comments (0)

All this week, Special Jaunted Correspondent Eric Rosen takes us on a whirlwind field trip to New Zealand’s Other Wine Regions. Sure, now that it’s summer down there they might be sipping on those tropical, grassy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc’s we’re all familiar with. But as he finds out, there's much more and most if it is within an hour of New Zealand’s major cities. Here, he's back up in the skies for a chat with the ladies (and dudes) of Air NZ.

Ever get that un-fresh feeling on long-haul flights? We wondered how the flight attendants on Air New Zealand stay so perky and bright, even over the 13+ hours of a trans-Pacific flight. So we asked two of them on the delivery flight of Air New Zealand’s new 777-300ER, one of whom, Wayne, you’ll recognize from the new ANZ safety video, and as an ambassador for the new planes.

Here’s the tips they have for everyone (in video!), with all kinds of beauty and health secrets to get us to our destination, feeling good (and smelling good!) without DVT, bags under our eyes or a bad attitude:

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Justin Bieber Does as the Romans in New Zealand; He Goes Bungee Jumping

April 29, 2010 at 2:25 PM | by | Comment (1)

Justin Bieber has already caused mayhem among teen girls in London and Los Angeles and things weren't much better this week as he arrived in New Zealand for a sold-out performance.

The teen heartthrob was greeted by more than 500 fans at the Auckland International Airport Tuesday night causing the airport to beef up security, which still couldn't keep the mob of shrieking girls under control. Bieber's mom, Pattie Mallette was knocked down in the crowd and Justin's favorite hat was stolen right off his head by an overzealous fan.

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Air New Zealand Seeks Help From 'The Bachelor' For Its Matchmaking Flight

July 13, 2009 at 12:11 PM | by | Comments (2)

What is going on with Air New Zealand these days? They are releasing one gimmicky promo after the next. First, there was the group of people who wore body advertisements for the Kiwi airline, then came airline employees covered in body paint, followed by the announcement of a matchmaking flight and then some more body paint.

This time, the matchmaking flight from Los Angeles to Auckland has decided to bring onboard a successful love match to inspire hope in the other singletons on the flight—Jason Mesnick and his girlfriend, Molly of the ABC show, "The Bachelor."

The October 13 trip is all about finding love (and filling up Air New Zealand planes), with a plane load of singles heading down to Auckland for a major party. And we're expecting at least a few Kiwi-American marriages to come out of this.

Since everyone else will be single, we're not sure that inviting Jason and Molly along is quite the right thing to do, but there's definitely one good side to it – to celebrate this announcement, Air New Zealand is offering tickets at $200 off. If you book by Wednesday with the LOVE200 code=, you'll get your return Los Angeles to Auckland flight plus all the attached partying for $580, which is a pretty low price to pay for the prospect of some Kiwi love.

Related Stories:
· The Matchmaking Flight [Official Site]
· From Body Paint to Matchmaking: Air New Zealand is Feeling Frisky [Jaunted]
· Air New Zealand Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: thetruthabout]

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From Body Paint to Matchmaking: Air New Zealand Is Feeling Frisky

May 15, 2009 at 9:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

Just in case the sexy painted bodies of Air New Zealand staff aren't enough to get you hot and heavy with booking a ticket, there's yet another little marketing strategy coming out from the Kiwis this week: the world's first Matchmaking Flight.

Sadly the flight of fancy is still months away; you'll need to be free on October 13 to get involved in this Kiwi love-in. On that date, an Air New Zealand flight will leave Los Angeles full of singles making the trip to Auckland for the Great Matchmaking Ball.

Air New Zealand will even help you to get through the butterflies by opening up chats on their website by posting your profile and linking up with either Americans or Kiwis who plan to turn up at the ball too.

Round-trip tickets for this romantic route start at $780, which includes a party at LAX before you leave, special in-flight food and entertainment (games, even), and the singles-only ball in Auckland. This is all well and good, but they're leaving out the most important information: will any of those body-painted flight attendants be on board?

Related Stories:
· The Matchmaking Flight [Official Site]
· Air New Zealand Offers Singles Only Matchmaking Flight [The Australian]
· A New Paint Job for Air New Zealand … Body Paint [Jaunted]

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Australian Blog Says Auckland is 'Inhabited by Hobbits'

March 25, 2009 at 10:33 AM | by | Comments (0)

A bit of neighborly rivalry is normal, but a couple of bloggers from Australia have taken their not-too-pretty description of next-door New Zealand a bit far, according to the tourism CEO of Auckland.

The Aussie bloggers who've just moved over to Auckland have been posting their opinions of New Zealand at their Fush'n'Chups blog and there's been quite an outrage over some of their ideas--for example, that Auckland is a "horrible soulless city" inhabited by "hobbits".

The bloggers are defending themselves by saying it's just a tongue-in-cheek blog and the Kiwis should get a better sense of humor. They even mention beautiful parts of New Zealand from time to time. The moral for the rest of us is to remember never to mistake a New Zealander for an Aussie, or there could be trouble.

Related Stories:
· Kiwis Upset By "Pathetically Rude" Aussie Bloggers [The Age]
· Fush'n'Chups [Official Site]
· New Zealand Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: mgrenner57]

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Restaurants On The Ground Are Out

January 6, 2009 at 11:45 AM | by | Comment (1)

Why eat in a plain-old ground-level restaurant when you can eat outdoors, high in the sky?

We've already told you about dining atop a giant concrete tree in Japan and in a crane 150 feet above the ground in Belgium. Now, the latest sky-high dining craze is the Yellow Treehouse restaurant, which opens this week in Auckland, New Zealand.

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Jump It Like Beckham

December 11, 2008 at 8:45 AM | by | Comments (0)

David Beckham should check out our World's Wildest Bungee Jumps next time he's on the road! The L.A. Galaxy player completed the 134-foot jump off Auckland's Harbour Bridge yesterday with some teammates, like the Mr. Badass he considers himself to be.

But not 100 percent badass: Sources on the bridge say Beckham paused before jumping to text his wife Victoria and the kids, just in case. Next stop, SkyJump?

Related Stories:
· Beckham's Harbour Bridge Bungee Plunge [Stuff.co.nz]
· It's Summer Somewhere: SkyJump and SkyWalk in Auckland [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: The Superficial]

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Amazing Race 13: I Wonder If They Like Blondes in New Zealand?

October 20, 2008 at 8:30 AM | by | Comment (1)

Chasing Racers is back, with a brand new Amazing Race 13 mashup. This map will update the morning after every new episode. Send along tips, rumors, gossip, locations and spoilers to our map editors, become a member and comment on the stories below and add to the Jaunted-Flickr photo pool to get in on the fray.

Remember to zoom in, out and around on the map--with so much happening in each episode, it's easy to miss a map point.

Welcome back race fans! Season 13 soldiers on, and we're down to just eight teams. The action is intensifying and tempers are starting to flare. Will Ken and Tina keep up their streak of first place finishes? Will Aja and Ty work through their conflicts and focus on winning? Will we be treated to a smack down between the divorcees, Kelly and Christy and brother and sister duo, Nick and Starr?

LET'S FIND OUT!

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