Blog - Local News
Free-flight bird show auditorium complete
Rainbow Springs has completed construction of its new 384-seat free flight bird show auditorium and the birds are progressing well in their training.
Read the full postBoats lowered into Big Splash flume
The first boats have been lowered into the Big Splash’s 431-metre flume at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua ready for the water to flow. The six boats, each carrying up to eight passengers, will weave their way through the ecological evolution of New Zealand in the new ride, educating and entertaining riders along the way.
Read the full postThe Phantom at The Prince’s Gate
The Princes Gate at Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s finest and oldest hotels, has a 25-year track record of commitment to the arts, cabaret, dinner shows and operas through the efforts of its talented owners, Brett and Vlasta Marvelly. Fittingly, their latest attraction involves the Phantom of the Opera. At 6.30pm daily (except Sundays), The Phantom makes his way down the magnificent kauri staircase of the 115-year-old hotel. He calls Christine up the stairs to a rendition of The Music of the Night and continues his serenade while guests indulge in canapés and liquid refreshment.
Read the full postOscar Nathan wins DRM role
Destination Rotorua Marketing’s new general manager is to be Oscar Nathan, and he will take up the role in early January.
According to Rotorua’s Daily Post, Nathan, 39, has been a business adviser with the Poutama Trust and is currently deputy chairman of the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association, a board member of Te Puia and New Zealand Hospitality Standards Institute, a council member of Waiariki Institute of Technology and chairman of Maori in Tourism Rotorua. He was on the council’s tourism committee before resigning earlier this year, along with Rotorua hotel manager Marcus Keenan.
Rotorua wins international OT congress
The 6th Asia Pacific Occupational Therapy Congress (APOTC) in 2015 will be held in Rotorua, thanks to a collaborative pitch by the Rotorua Convention Bureau, the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists and Tourism New Zealand. Around 600 delegates are expected to attend, with 275 of those coming from overseas. The win marks the first time this event has been held outside Asia and the first successful bid for Rotorua using the Conference Assistance Programme (CAP).
Read the full postSwing into the lives, loves and music of 1931
The charter of a vintage DC3 will mark the launch “1931- The Show” at Rotorua’s Blue Baths. Put together to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of the juvenile pool of the landmark Art Deco/ Spanish Mission building in December 1931, the show is “a celebration of the swing era when cats were cool, dames were peaches, and music was a way to forget Great Depression worries for a few hours.” Blue Baths managing director Mrs Jo Romanes says the theme warranted the DC3 charter for show-goers from the Auckland region as part of the Friday 09DEC opening night package.
Read the full postTim Cossar for Te Puia
The board of Rotorua’s New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, trading as Te Puia, has appointed Tim Cossar as its new chief executive. He will step down from his current role as chief executive of Tourism Industry Association New Zealand early in the New Year, having headed TIA since 2008.
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