Travel Alerts: Pasta masterclasses, stargazing journeys, luxury resorts and helicopter rides
Hop aboard Dunedin Railways' Stargazer Train for a celestial winter journey timed with Matariki and the New Zealand International Science Festival. This unique experience takes passengers from Dunedin to the remote Taieri Gorge, far from city lights and perfect for stargazing. Onboard, science communicators from Tūhura Otago Museum share stories of the Matariki star cluster, offer astronomy insights, and guide guests through stargazing stations under the night sky. It's a magical blend of science, culture and nature, offering a rare chance to connect with the cosmos. dunedinrailways.co.nz/special-journeys/the-stargazer-journey
Luxury in the Bahamas
Aman brings its legendary luxury to the Bahamas with Amancaya, a new ultra-private retreat in the heart of Exuma. Set across two secluded cays with white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, Amancaya will offer 36 elegant hotel pavilions and a limited collection of Aman residences. Guests will enjoy signature Aman experiences, from serene wellness at the Aman Spa to vibrant dining, a beach club, and a private marina. Partnering with Dona Bertarelli, Aman aims to create a sustainable sanctuary honouring local culture and nature. aman.com
New Caledonia welcomes Kiwis back
New Caledonia is ready to welcome back Kiwi visitors after New Zealand's official travel advisory website, SafeTravel, downgraded its advisory to the South Pacific destination. Australia downgraded its advisory earlier this year.
The advisory was lowered to Level 2, meaning travellers can visit as long as they 'exercise increased caution', placing it alongside destinations such as the US, India and Morocco.
This follows a period of civil unrest in May 2024, which temporarily paused tourism. Since then, curfews were lifted in December 2024, and Aircalin increased its flight capacity between Auckland and Noumea in March 2025. In early 2025, New Caledonia Tourism launched a new campaign, New Caledonia, a New Chapter Awaits, showcasing the island's readiness to offer safe, memorable, and meaningful travel experiences for Kiwis.
Reach for the skies
Take to the skies for a breathtaking helicopter ride over Marlborough Sounds and land on Arapawa Island, home to a rare blue pearl farm, with Helicopters Nelson. After learning the story behind these beautiful gems, set off on a relaxing cruise with Beachcomber Cruises. As you glide through the waters, enjoy a gourmet seafood lunch prepared by a private chef, paired perfectly with Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Your day concludes with a scenic helicopter flight back to Nelson, offering a final breathtaking view of the Marlborough Sounds.
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Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Freezing start ahead of big snow dump
File photo Kiwis are waking to freezing temperatures in some places ahead of a wintry blast expected to bring heavy snow to parts of the South Island. At 7am, MetService's website showed Mosgiel as officially the coldest centre in the country, on -5C. Alexandra was on -2.5C, and Queenstown -1C. Dunedin was on 3C, only one degree less than the warmest places in the South Island - Nelson and Westport on 4C. Non-official weather station data on the MetService site showed -7C at Tekapo, and both the Central Otago District Council and the Queenstown Lakes District Council said temperatures of -6C had been recorded. The chill comes amid a raft of weather alerts. An orange heavy snow warning has been issued for Central Otago and inland Canterbury, from the Rangitata River southwards from noon to midnight on Friday. MetService says to expect 10 to 20 cm of snow to settle above 500 metres, with lesser amounts down to 300 metres. A heavy snow watch is also in place for the Queenstown Lakes District, from 11am to 9pm today. The forecaster said the snow could disrupt travel and cause damage to trees and powerlines. It urged people to prepare for freezing temperatures and possible power outages. "If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items." Road snowfall warnings are in place for Dunedin's Northern Motorway (SH1) from noon to 11pm on Friday, the Crown Range Road from noon to Friday evening, Haast Pass (SH6) from 6am to midnight Friday, Lindis Pass (SH8) from 1pm to midnight Friday, Lewis Pass (SH7) from 4pm on Friday to 11am Saturday, Arthur's Pass (SH73) from 3pm Friday to 7am Saturday, Porters Pass (SH73) from 2pm Friday to 9am Saturday. - APL
The Spinoff
2 days ago
- The Spinoff
Event noticeboard: Kite making, sequinned quilts and multi-sensory films
The Spinoff's top picks of events from around the motu. I have always wanted to taste tītī (and kererū, but that's a different story). In photos I've seen those two little leg bones poking out of perfectly golden little bodies. The fact that they're harvested annually from windy rocks in the cold Foveaux Strait makes them especially tantalising. Tītī can be bought brined and in buckets online but if I was to cook one myself I would never really know if I'd done it right. If I'm going to eat a delicacy, especially in the form of a little salty, fishy seabird, I want to know its just as intended. This is why I'm jealous of southerners this week. Those in Invercargill can treat themselves to a pre-Matariki feast of tītī and learn about the birds, islands, harvest and traditions at the same time at The Batch Cafe. I will have to settle for finally having tried something else I've had my eye on, cacio e pepe at Pici in Auckland. It was salty, and it looked like a bowl of worms. So fun to try new things! Workshop: Manu Raupō with Alicia Courtney Hihiaua Cultural Centre, 56-58 Herekino Street, Whangārei 10am Saturday, June 7 Koha appreciated, registration needed Māori kites are often called manu tukutuku, with tukutuku referring to the winding out of the line. They are flown to celebrate Matariki and are thought of as a way to communicate with loved ones who have died and a way to connect Papa and Rangi through flight. There were at least 17 different types of manu tukutuku before colonisation, but only three types have survived. Traditionally kites were decorated with feathers, shells, carved faces and red and black patterns. Some had long feather tails or rattling shells. On Saturday morning you can make your very own kite from raupō (bulrush) in prepartion for Matariki with guidance from local artist Alicia Courtney (Pākehā). Courtney has spent time at Hoani Waititi Marae where she learned tikanga and became involved with Māori material culture. She has been guided by many kaumatua of Tai Tokerau. Her artistic practice is inspired by traditional Māori materials and methods and searches for a balance between respecting the technology of te ao tawhito (traditional Māori life and customs) with the necessity of living in te ao hurihuri (the contemporary world). The workshop is part of a wider festival for Matariki called Pūanga. The following two events at Hihiaua are based on storytelling and look great too. Paihia Music: Ngati Soul Music Bad Habits, 76 Marsden Road, Paihia 6-9pm Friday, June 6 Free entry Ngati Soul plays music for those that don't just get wet, but feel the rain. He plays songs by Sublime, Otis Redding, Maroon 5 and more. Matakana Film: The Scammers Matakana Cinemas, 2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 10.30am Wednesday, June 11 $14 – $22 Bon soir! The French Film Festival is on nationwide, with heaps showing at the Matakana Cinemas. See the full programme here. Tāmaki Makaurau Music: Junk Fest 2025 Double Whammy, downstairs at St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road 8pm, Saturday, June 7 $35 – $50 Junk Fest sold out last year and is back with a siiiiick line up including Vera Ellen, Twine, Hōhā and Scrambline. Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland 10am-4.30pm daily Free Kokonga Ngākau includes five quilt figures: family members, deities, taniwha, merpeople. The title comes from the whakataukī 'He kokonga whare e kitea, he kokonga ngākau e kore e kitea' (The corners of a house can be seen, but not the corners of the heart). Tauranga It isn't likely you will see a wild kiwi, given they run a mile when they hear humans coming, but you will discover nocturnal creepy-crawlies like spiders and wētā and incredible glow-in-the-dark fungi. Rotorua Film: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Sir Howard Morrison Centre, 1170 Fenton St, Rotorua 7pm Friday June 6 $25 – $31 More than two hours of inspiring action, environmental, cultural and adventure films from around the world. Te Whanganui-a-Tara Theatre: Tūī Girls Basement Theatre, Te Whaea – National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown 6.30pm and 4.30pm June 11-14 $15 – $25 Michaella Steel's new play about a Nan returning to spend her last few days with her beloved mokos before te rerenga wairua. Blenheim ASB Theatre Marlborough, 2 Hutcheson St, Blenheim 7pm Thursday, June 5 $48 'From the elegance of the classical era to the emotion of contemporary voices, Masterworks showcases the full power and beauty of live orchestral music.' Kaikōura Festival: Kaikōura Oceans Day Festival Fyffe House, 62 Avoca Street, Kaikōura 10am Sunday, June 8 Free Join Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute to celebrate World Ocean Day at Fyffe House. Ōtautahi Gemma Syme's multimedia project explores how personas are constructed, documented, represented and ripped apart. For its anniversary The Wet EP has been reissued with new video work in collaboration with Ōtautahi based artist Pentaloe. Ōtepoti Athenaeum Theatre, 23 The Octagon, Central Dunedin 6pm Friday, June 6 Free Five new films embracing multi-sensorial knowledge systems by artists Kah Bee Chow, Selina Ershadi, Kite, Sonya Lacey and James Tapsell-Kururangi. Invercargill The Batch Cafe, 173 Spey Street, Invercargill 6pm Friday, June 6 $120 Join mahinga kai champion and storyteller Dan Tarrant, generous Ricky Fife and chef Ethan Flack for an evening of Tītī: a five-course meal, the birds, the islands, the harvest, the traditions and the whakapapa that binds it all.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Market, fire and light show returns
After a successful event last year, Bluff will again host a Night Market combined with a Fire & Light Show at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival site on June 21 as part of Matariki. Organised by the monthly Thieves Alley Market team, along with Bluff Promotions, last year's event drew a good crowd who enjoyed the night market plus fire and light demonstrations. This year, organisers are promising much more, as the cancellation of the Matariki celebrations in Invercargill has brought some of the vendors to Bluff. Music is one big addition to this year's event, featuring ukulele band Don't Fret as well as Nolan Henigan and friends entertaining. Organiser Frazer Murdoch was also hoping for one more element of the entertainment programme to be announced shortly. Meanwhile, there will be a good muster of marketeers with stalls featuring a range of wares while several food trucks will add to the atmosphere. With the country celebrating Matariki, a fire and light show featuring fire poi and decorated fire drums will complement the activities. The event will take place from 5pm-9pm and admission will be free. Prospective stallholders could contact Frazer Murdoch on 0278 506-261 or at tbag7708@ By Lindsay Beer
