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Air New Zealand's New 'Koru Valet' Idea is a Little Crazy, a Little Genius

Maybe a former airline CEO can wash your car?

There's no doubt that Air New Zealand is always trying to think outside the box when it comes to keeping loyal customers and creating raving fans. Now, the Kiwi airline has added even more perks for hopping on one of their planes. Something called the "Koru Valet" hit the scene several months ago and we find the benefits pretty compelling.

The Koru Valet service isn't just your traditional, "we'll park your car and take you to the terminal" kind of deal. It's a bit more and, had we a car in New Zealand and an upcoming flight, we wouldn't hesitate to use it. It goes like this: an Air New Zealand staff member parks your car super close to the terminal and then you fly off, return, and get that car back washed, serviced and with a full tank of gas. Yep, all that in one valet parking lot.

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New Zealand / Food Travel / Food / Christchurch Travel / Earthquakes / → All Tags

It's 'Marmageddon!' New Zealand Has Totally Run Out of Marmite.

That's right, there's no more of that sweet, yeasty spread cherished by Kiwis worldwide. The supply of marmite has been exhausted and is creating "Marmageddon." After the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011 caused damage to the factory, the building was closed in November for further safety concerns.

The history of the iconic spread has its roots in England, who began exporting it in 1919. The original English taste wasn't well received and so the recipe was altered to suit local tastebuds, resulting in the acquired taste we know today. Alas, with this ordeal, even an emergency export from the UK won't exactly satisfy salivating fans.

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Shopping Travel / New Zealand Travel / Christchurch Travel / Earthquakes / → All Tags

Project Re:Start Brings (Colorful) Retail Back to Christchurch

While much of the “red zone” in the city center of Christchurch remains empty of people (save for the demolition crews checking the abandoned buildings that still make up a large part of the area), we came across a little rehabilitation project right at the edge that’s bringing life and color back to the devastated city, Project Re:Start.

Project Re:Start is kind of like a pop-up mall made up of purpose-built, brightly colored shipping containers that have been arranged and stacked along Cashel Street and converted into shops and cafes. The project was financed with NZ$3.36 million from a the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal fund.

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Earthquakes / Tragedies / New Zealand Travel / Christchurch Travel / Travel News / → All Tags

Christchurch Suffers 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake; Air New Zealand Pledges help

Yesterday in New Zealand—or what is today to most of the world—a 6.3-strength earthquake right right underneath the city of Christchurch, causing much destruction and at least 65 deaths. Both the city's Anglican and Catholic cathedrals were partially destroyed in addition to many other downtown buildings and Christchurch's airport terminal has suffered damage. Currently the airport is open only to emergency aid flights, after over 1,000 travelers and airport staff were evacuated following the quake.

In regards to tourism, Christchurch was enjoying the high point of the summer season, but this earthquake combined with the 7.1 jolt that shook nearby the city back in September are making more than just the tourists nervous. You know we love us some New Zealand Travel, but the country does unfortunately sit right on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

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