Latest news with #DanielleZollickhofer
NZ Herald
02-08-2025
- NZ Herald
What to do in Sydney and New South Wales as a first-time visitor
While the intensive care units and rehabilitation yards aren't open to the public, there is a large window into the clinical services area where visitors can observe non-invasive treatments (if any are scheduled). The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary has eight permanent residents. The sanctuary also has eight permanent residents who cannot return to the wild: one, for example, is blind, and another has a leg deformity. Visitors can see them while walking along a 225-metre-long elevated pathway that winds through the forest, but given their climbing abilities and love of long naps, it can feel like a tough game of Where's Wally? Despite being solitary creatures, two of the resident koalas get along well and can sometimes be found in the same tree. During my visit, they were not only close to each other but close to the pathway as they munched on eucalyptus. For some, a few hours will be enough, but if you want to extend your stay, there are cosy glamping tents and rooms, as well as a pool and barbecue area. There is no need to set an alarm for morning: you will wake up to the chatter of kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets. Cute koalas aren't the only creatures to visit in Port Stephens. The azure waters are also home to humpback whales and dolphins. They are, obviously, best visited via a boat tour, for example, through Moonshadow-TQC Cruises (although you can sometimes see them from the land, I've been told). Port Stephens is also known for its marine life, including humpback whales. They offer separate whale and dolphin experiences (and snorkelling trips), but during the Whale Watch Express tour, we were lucky to see both species, as well as seals and a range of seabirds. Our fun, knowledgeable guides said they had also seen hammerhead sharks. The wider Port Stephens area is known for the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands, the largest moving dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Sand Dune Adventures, owned by Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, runs quad bike and sandboarding tours of the dunes, which are equally fun as they are informative. As a motorbike enthusiast, this was right up my alley, although I was among the slower part of the tour group: it took a bit of time getting used to going down steep slopes on four wheels. The view from the Worimi Sand Dunes. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer We stopped a few times and turned off the quads, allowing us to appreciate further the magnificence of the dunes, which felt reminiscent of a desert, vast and serene. In other places, they provide a mesmerising vantage point of the ocean, where we spotted whales breaching in the distance. The dunes aren't just beautiful, our guide explained, they are also a culturally significant site for the Worimi people and contain historic camp and burial sites, as well as ancient middens with shell deposits and tool-making artefacts. Next stop, Sydney If someone who hasn't been to Sydney asked me to describe it, I'd say it's something between New York and Auckland. The hustle and bustle that comes with being home to more than 5 million people (let that figure sink in for a second - New Zealand's entire population fits into Sydney) can be felt even from the comfort of a taxi. The Sydney Opera House surrounded by Sydney Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney CBD. Photo / Destination NSW Beautiful historic buildings, some of them very colourful, sit next to modern multi-storey apartments with panorama windows and the more the CBD approaches, the higher the buildings seem to get. There are lots of things to do, and you could easily spend a few days in the city alone. It's well-connected, with a metro and bus network (and Ubers), so even though I believe there is no better way to get a feel for a city than by exploring it as a pedestrian, there are plenty of opportunities to give your feet a break. As I was in the city for a good time, not a long time, I made a beeline for Sydney's icons, the harbourfront with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. They are real stunners, especially around sunset (even in winter), but that's also why it is touristy. In the grand scheme of metropolis travel, it's not that bad, though, and there are plenty of spots to snap a selfie with the Harbour Bridge without being photobombed by strangers. Where to stay The Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall features 144 apartment-style rooms, plus a pool and gym. You can do your own cooking, which can be quite handy if you want to stay in after a big day of exploring. It's right in the centre of the action and only a short walk from the metro station. The Dining Room in Sydney. Photo / Steven Woodburn If you want to treat yourself, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth makes you feel like a celebrity. No wonder: opened in 1966, it is Australia's first international hotel and has hosted Princess Diana, the Queen and Elton John, among others. A short walk from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the perfectly located spot also has two restaurants and two bars. Where to eat Both Sydney and Port Stephens are full of amazing food and dining experiences. In Sydney, The Tailor Room is an intimate cocktail bar with an innovative menu, inspired by fabric. Instead of selecting a drink based on your alcohol of choice, you are inspired to try something new, as the main menu only describes the character of the cocktail (fresh, bright and fizzy, for example) and doesn't list the ingredients (although these are mentioned in the back of the menu). An excerpt of the Tailor Room Menu. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer The adjacent Dining Room, a fine-dining restaurant, boasts an original menu that showcases seasonal produce. I don't usually opt for meat or seafood but, based on the recommendations of the staff, I gave the caviar tartlets and the beef fillet a try - and I'm so glad I did. Another standout is Midden by Mark Olive, by the Opera House. The stunning views of the Harbour Bridge pair well with the menu celebrating indigenous Australian cuisine. View from Midden by Mark Olive in Sydney. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer In Port Stephens, Little Beach Boathouse and Rick Stein at Bannisters both focus on the region's seafood, but there are other options on the menu. If you come for dinner at the Little Beach Boathouse, you might be lucky enough to see the local dolphin pod swimming by, staff told me. Light Years Newcastle is also well worth a visit. The menu features modern Asian share-style dishes and signature cocktails (their wild truffled mushroom dumplings are a true highlight). The wild truffled mushroom dumplings at Light Years Newcastle. Checklist Sydney, New South Wales, Australia GETTING THERE Fly direct from Hamilton to Sydney with Jetstar. DETAILS Visit New Zealand Herald travelled courtesy of Jetstar and Destination New South Wales.
NZ Herald
01-08-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France in Hamilton: Fans excited to have All Blacks back in town
'It means a lot to have them [come here], I know we only had one All Black come out of this school – Marty Holah – in the mid-90s. So it's a great opportunity for us,' Mills said. 'We were paired up with Christian [Lio-Willie] and he was giving tips about communication, scanning, hands up – just the basics, but that's what you gotta nail to get to that level,' Ticklepenny said. St John's First XV coach Tony Su'a said it had been a huge day for the 'boys'. 'At first, you see that 'oh wow, there is an All Black there' and [then] they're like one of the guys. [The All Blacks] were very encouraging.' Su'a said he was hoping that the students continued to play rugby even after they left high school. 'Things like this just really encourage the love of rugby.' Some students at St John's College Hamilton were treated to a skills and drills session from Emoni Narawa, Cam Roigard and Christian Lio-Willie last month. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer Deputy principal Dominic Kay was also stoked for the students. 'I think just being able to see their heroes and do some passing drills with them is something they remember for a long, long time. 'Being able to connect and show our boys that if you work hard ... that there is a pathway. 'You never know what you could end up doing.' Narawa, an All Blacks winger, said it had been a lot of fun teaching the kids 'the basics of footy'. Image 1 of 12 : Impressions from the All Blacks skills and drills session at St Johns College 2025. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer 'Seeing the smiles on those kids' faces ... That's what we play for. 'They did pretty well and were eager to learn ... I was actually surprised with their skills. 'Seems like NZR [New Zealand Rugby] is in good hands.' There was also a signing session at Centre Place and some fans, including Anne Leonard of Ngātea, Barb Cleland of Hamilton and Whangamatā's Sharon and Stephanie Laurenson were lucky enough to be invited to the captain's run, after Sharon won the tickets at an auction. Barb Cleland, of Hamilton, Sharon Laurenson, of Whangamatā, and Anne Leonard, of Ngātea at the All Blacks Captains' run in Hamilton. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer The group had especially hoped to meet captain Ardie Savea and Will Jordan – with great success. 'It's lovely to see [the All Blacks] up close and personal. Really exciting. We got about 10 photos and autographs,' Sharon Laurenson said. 'It was a different insight into how they train,' Leonard added. Les Bleus enjoyed stay The French last played in New Zealand in 2018. Talking to the Waikato Herald last month, French captain Gaël Fickou said the team enjoyed their recent stay. '[New Zealand] is a very beautiful country with incredible landscapes. We were warmly welcomed and the people were very nice. French captain Gaël Fickou. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer 'We will take home fond memories [of our stay].' The French last played in Hamilton in 1979. This time, the team stayed in the Tron for only two days, instead opting to set up camp in Auckland before that – much to the disappointment of some local fans. The French team told the Waikato Herald the decision had been made by management staff a few months before the test series. When Les Bleus last stayed in New Zealand in 2018, they spent some time in Auckland and 'got to know the training facilities' there, the French said in a statement. Action from thw All Blacks v France, 3rd Test at FMG Stadium, Hamilton. Photo / Brett Phibbs, Photosport As they weren't 'familiar' with Hamilton's facilities and Auckland was just a short drive away, staying in Auckland had been the 'easiest' and most comfortable option. Fickou said due to the short stay in Hamilton, the team didn't have a lot of time to have a proper look around. 'We have mostly been to the hotel and the stadium – which is magnificent. But Hamilton seems to be a very warm, welcoming and friendly city. 'I find the respect that we have in this terrain and in the stands extraordinary. 'We were super well received by everyone and there are a lot of French [fans] here, which makes us very happy.' Despite the losses, Fickou said it was 'always a pleasure' to play the All Blacks. The interview with Gaël Fickou was conducted in French with translation provided by the reporter. Danielle Zollickhofer is the Waikato news director and a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Agribusiness and Trade: Drones transform NZ farms from above
'Ag drones have been in the background for a couple of years,' he says. 'But we have recently hit a sweet spot where they are able to carry enough liquid and fly long enough to make them genuinely effective. That's when the market really took off.' Drones fill a practical niche between ground-based equipment and helicopters, and their rise is changing how agricultural contractors operate. They can open up access to land that might previously have been too steep or too wet for traditional agricultural machinery, or that require immediate attention and more precision. Fieldays 2025 Drone Zone. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer 'If you've got 100 hectares to do, a helicopter is always going to be the best choice,' he says. 'And if you've got lots of ground, it is dry, not steep, and you have got plenty of room to move vehicles, then a tractor or a truck is going to be better. New Zealand's geography makes drones particularly well-suited. 'We farm intensively and make the most out of small holdings,' says Simpson. 'We've got a lot of arable land but not a huge amount of it is flat. Even with beef and sheep, we run stock on quite steep country. A drone is a real nice fit.' This is opening up new possibilities. 'Some farmers never dealt with gorse on steep blocks because the only option was spraying with a backpack. A helicopter wasn't economical. Now a drone contractor can do the job at a reasonable rate.' Urgency has also become a significant factor in the technology's uptake. Simpson points to Wairarapa, which has had to deal with heavy rain this year. 'There is a point at which you can't use a vehicle. In the past you might ring a helicopter provider and be told there is a four-week wait. Meanwhile, the fungus gets a foothold. 'A drone provider might be the same price, but they can be there the next day. You can deal with the problem faster and ultimately use less chemicals.' Safety is another driver of demand. 'Why drive a quad bike or a vehicle across a steep hillside when you can instead fly over it with a drone and keep everyone safe?' says Simpson. Given the compliance requirements, most agricultural drone users aren't farmers themselves, but agricultural contractors. 'Since an ag drone is over 25 kilos, you need a certificate with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),' says Simpson. 'You're also required to deal with the Environmental Protection Authority for chemicals, WorkSafe for health and safety, as well as local councils for regulations – that's a lot for one person in a ute with a drone.' The Agricultural Drone Association has grown to around 60 members – even more since Fieldays – and will play a crucial role in advocating for New Zealand's agricultural drone operators and enhancing skills and knowledge within the industry. 'The association is aimed at drone users,' says Simpson. 'They needed a community, and it means that we can speak to regulators with a collective voice.' Fieldays 2025: Craig Simpson, president of the Agricultural Drone Association and founder of Aerolab. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer He says the CAA has been a constructive partner. Certification wait times have fallen from 18 months to about eight. 'That is a real improvement – but it is still a barrier. If the industry keeps growing, that bottleneck could get worse. 'We'd like to see the regulator continue working closely with industry so we can maintain momentum. This is a great farming technology, and it's important we don't let red tape slow down its potential.' Simpson says that with their speed, precision, and ability to tackle challenging terrain, agricultural drones are on their way to becoming a familiar sight on New Zealand farms – not just a novelty attraction at Fieldays.
NZ Herald
16-06-2025
- NZ Herald
What it's like flying Jetstar from Hamilton to Sydney
The Jetstar flight upon arrival at Hamilton Airport. Photo / Stephen Barker, Barker Photography Jetstar's first flight from Hamilton to Sydney lifted off on Monday. Danielle Zollickhofer checked it out. Visas and requirements: New Zealanders only need their passport to board the plane, no visa is required. However, I was travelling on a German passport, so I had to apply for a visitor visa
