Air New Zealand will fly a Boeing 737 between Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown six days a week from the end of 2012. At the moment, the airline currently operates three ATR services a day between the three destinations and one will be replaced with the Jet.

The change will provide a 27 per cent increase in capacity between Rotorua and Christchurch, and a 14 per cent between Christchurch and Queenstown. The number of seats available weekly each way will increase from approximately 1428 to 1818.

Mr White says this up-gauge will significantly increase the capacity on one of the most important tourism routes in New Zealand – Rotorua to Queenstown.

“The increased capacity means there is more room for extra visitors, while the bigger plane means cuts 30 minutes off the flying time. This all means that visitors’ travel will be quicker and easier, and they will have more time on the ground to explore the region, instead of sitting on highways.

“Rotorua and the wider Central Park region have a great deal to offer these international visitors, with something of interest for everyone including scenery, culture, geothermal, wine and food, golf, adventure etc. just to name a few.

Mr White says the announcement is the result of months of hard work by people in the Rotorua and Central Park tourism industries, the Airport and Destination Rotorua Marketing.

“This has been a team effort, with many different people involved. It’s been fantastic to see the industry work together to achieve this positive result for the region.”

The boosted services will operate six days a week, from Monday to Thursday, and Saturday and Sunday. The flights will leave Rotorua in the afternoon and depart Queenstown in the morning.

Mr Oppatt resigned from the Board following his successful re-election to the Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Mr Cook is actively involved in the Rotorua tourism sector and local business community, and is currently the Managing Director of R&B Consultants Ltd, a property development and construction company.

Mr Cook was responsible for developing and managing two key Rotorua accommodation properties – Rotorua Lakeside Ltd (now the Royal Lakeside Novotel and Ibis Hotels Rotorua) and The Wall Backpackers.

He was also responsible for the development of a number of other key hotel developments around New Zealand, including the Novotel Capital and Ibis Hotel in Wellington, the Novotel Ibis in Ellerslie, Auckland, and the Novotel Tainui in Hamilton.

Mr Cook has previously been a Board member on the Rotorua Tourism Advisory Board, the Rotorua Bright Economy Advisory Board, Bike NZ and the Chief’s Super 12 Franchise.

Mr Cook says the Airport is entering a new phase of operation, after gaining international status with Trans Tasman flights to Sydney last year.

“The Airport has seen a rapid period of growth and development of recent years, and our challenge now will be to cement our existing business, while looking to capture future growth.

“The future growth we are seeking will not just be around increased passenger numbers and flights at the Airport, but also about increased growth for the local tourism sector in Rotorua and in the wider Central Park region.

“I would like to publicly thank and acknowledge Neil’s efforts in recent years, particularly in helping guide the Airport through its recent developments and to launching the first Trans Tasman flights.”

Mr Oppatt says he is proud to have been a part of creating an asset which will deliver increasingly greater economic benefit to Rotorua and the wider Central Park region.

Academy Award® winning actor Russell Crowe is the Narrator of this lavish production, providing the historical context, character background and the storyline links between the 10 scenes.

The rich dialogue of the actors tells the compelling story of one man’s fight for freedom, while a powerful musical soundtrack and stunning light show makes this show a major event extravaganza.

Direct from Europe, the stadium-scaled show will be the biggest theatrical event ever seen in Australia! This world tour premiere of BEN HUR in Sydney brings to life the legend made famous by the Academy Award® winning Hollywood movie ‘Ben Hur’, starring Charlton Heston.

Crafted by renowned French director Robert Hossein, BEN HUR was watched by over 300,000 people in its Paris debut. This major event theatrical presentation features a cast of hundreds, a full-scale chariot race with 24 horses, a giant Roman galleon and audience participation for young and old alike.

The monumental $15 million stadium adaptation combines the scale of the Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony with the drama of the slave who dared defy the Roman Empire.

Don’t miss out! Book your Ben Hur Ticket packages now.

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The Rotorua District Council, in association with the Rotorua International Airport had a stand at the Daily Post Home & Leisure Show over the last weekend.  Thousands of Boomerangs were handed out to eager show patrons, all looking forward to the opportunity of going into the draw to win return flights for two to Sydney from Rotorua direct with Air New Zealand.  Registrations on the site have increased significantly as we count down to the next draw towards the end of this month.

As part of the show, Sarah will compete against girls from US, Europe and Australia. She will be in Thailand for six weeks of training, fighting and filming. If she wins her elimination fights and makes it to the final five, Sarah will fight a Thai champion for a WBC world title.

 “Sarah reminded me of when Rotorua Airport first started the process of becoming an international airport. Sarah is Te Puke’s own and, like the airport, she’s punching above her weight,” says airport business development manager Rhys Arrowsmith.

“As a community we need to support the bold and courageous.”

 For every return airfare sold on the Rotorua to Sydney direct route, Rotorua International Airport will donate $50 to Sarah’s cause. Rhys has also donated $200 on behalf of the airport which was quickly matched by Show Off and Woods Creative.

 Sarah’s involvement with the TV show, Tuff Girls, began after she saw a magazine advertisement for contestants. She auditioned against at least 60 Australian girls in Melbourne in February, an ordeal including an interview with Fox Sport commentator Mark Castagnini, a photo shoot and two minutes of sparring against a fellow applicant. Everything was filmed and sent to Las Vegas for the show’s organisers to choose the contestants. In April she was told she’d been chosen.

“This is a massive achievement for me and the opening of a window of many great things to come,” she says. “It has taken a lot of focus, determination and training and I can’t wait to start this adventure. I have been training most mornings before work, then going to work all day and then back to training after work until about 8.30-9pm.

“My biggest struggle through this whole time has been trying to secure financial backing for my backing,” says Sarah. “As I am the only girl to be chosen from NZ it was all on me to find my own sponsorship. I was told from the production company that I would need at least $5000 to cover flights and living expenses for six weeks. As I am an individual I have been unable to get any funding from charitable trusts, so it has been a bit of a struggle. (But) I have had some really generous sponsorship and plenty of support from family and friends.

 “I am very grateful for all the support that I have been given and look forward to going to Thailand and doing my very best in the sport,” she says.

Sarah flies to Thailand this month and will be compete until mid-August.

The Rotorua International Airport’s winner for the month of June was: Elizabeth Cochrane, pictured in the middle with her husband Trevor (right) and from the Rotorua International Airport, Rhys Arrowsmith (left).

(*subject to change)
JERSEY BOYS – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, winner of four 2006 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2009, has now received ten nominations for the Victorian Green Room Awards. The JERSEY BOYS Original Cast Recording also received a 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album. JERSEY BOYS has now grossed over $812 million worldwide and been seen by 9 million people around the world. Over 450,000 people have attended the show in Melbourne to date. JERSEY BOYS will officially open in Sydney on Saturday 18 September 2010.
Producer, Michael David, from Dodger Theatricals said – “We are thrilled to bring JERSEY BOYS to Sydney. This story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons has captivated nearly 9 million fans in productions worldwide, and now it is our fondest hope that Sydney will embrace JERSEY BOYS in the same way. The show is chock full of classic Four Seasons showstopping songs and a story that is all the more riveting because it’s true. Now with an extraordinary Australian cast, we believe JERSEY BOYS will engage theatergoers down under and send them dancing! The remarkable partnership of Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio indelibly sealed by a handshake agreement over 40 years ago will resonate with Aussie audiences who will identify with the importance of honour and integrity in this touching tribute to the power of loyalty between mates.

JERSEY BOYS moves into Sydney in September which will provide one of the most intimate and unique experiences for audiences anywhere in the world to see this wonderful musical. We look forward to working with the New South Wales tourism industry and new partners to ensure that JERSEY BOYS is a new reason to visit out great city” – Producer, Rodney Rigby, Newtheatricals.

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