YHB newsletters

Visiting Hawke's Bay made easy -
itineraries, events, accommodation

Hawke’s Bay is stylish but still country, unlimited activities, great people to enjoy. Excellent accommodation accompanied by delicious wine and food. All close at hand – just 30 minutes from everywhere.

Read on for essential information for the discerning traveller to Hawke’s Bay. We will make it easy for you to see Hawke’s Bay as a destination and win accolades from your clients.

News Feature

The return of the Gannets!
The 2005/2006 season has started early for Gannet Safaris, "The Gannets have Returned", Cape Kidnappers is once again alive with the sound of the gannets as they collect the material for their new homes and family. All refreshed from their overseas adventures during New Zealand's winter, these amazing birds are now preparing for a busy summer.

Michael Neilson, Manager of Gannet Safaris is surprised and excited to find the birds have returned to Cape Kidnappers some two weeks earlier than usual. The gannets are being rather obliging arriving now just as the tourists start to arrive in Hawke's Bay.

Gannet Safaris Overland wish everyone a very successful season.

Upcoming Events August-October 2005

The New Zealand String Quartet
20-21 September 2005
Performing in the Tom McDonald Cellar at the Church Road Winery.

Programme 1:
20 September at 7.30pm
Programme 2:
21 September at 7.30pm

Series Pass (Programmes 1 and 2)
$65.00 per person. Single concert ticket: $39.00 per person (Booking fees may apply) Ticketek outlets nationwide.

Pre concert dinner available in the Church Road Winery Restaurant from 6:00pm - for bookings phone 845 9140.

Trout Season Opens
1 October 2005
Hawke's Bay fishermen will be checking their tackle and in a high state of excitement and anticipation as the Trout Fishing season opens on 1st October. The rivers are in magnificent condition and we anticipate some excellent catches.

The whitebaiting season opened 1st August and the Tukituki River is studded with patient fishermen with their nets and wily contraptions to catch the elusive little fish.

Hawke's Bay A & P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards
18 October 2005
The 2005 Hawke's Bay Wine Awards promises to once again deliver a first class array of award-winning wines from Hawke's Bay. This is New Zealand's only regional wine awards, entries are restricted to wines with at least 85% Hawke's Bay fruit. International and national judges commence judging one week prior to the stellar awards night function. The Awards Night Function is held at the stunning Waikoko Gardens, Hawke's Bay Showground's on 18th October 2005. This is a must attend wine industry event.

In 2004 Y Hawke’s Bay member Church Road Winery won gold for their Church Road Montana Virtu Noble Semillon 2000.

Hawke's Bay Show
19-21 October 2005
A truly iconic Hawke's Bay Event which brings town and country together for three days of competition, entertainment and fun. Trade sites exhibit all that is new and interesting, Mahon Amusements provide the full range of carnival rides and sideshows, spectacular aerial entertainment and the popular BJ Bear and friends entertain the children all for free. Special interest this year will focus on the Animal Kingdom where children and the young at heart will be able to get up close and friendly to a range of young farm animals in a specially created farmyard.

YHB Supports New Zealand Opera
27 October 2005
The Bayleys Opera Guild Auction is to be held in Auckland on October 27th. This years event is entitled “Monsoon Opera” and will be lavishly themed around the glorious events of an Indian celebration. The aim is to raise $200,000 towards the continued presentation of Opera in New Zealand.

The auction traditionally showcases a treasury of luxury goods to an audience of the discerning. Y Hawke’s Bay members: Greenhill the Lodge, Gannet Safaris and Cape Kidnappers Golf Course have all combined to create a wonderful Hawke’s Bay experience in support of this cause.

3 days in the Bay – Itinerary suggestions

Let us organise your client’s Hawke’s Bay itinerary for you. They’ll see places they would otherwise not see and meet people they otherwise would not meet. Here are a few suggestions to wet the appetite

3 nights Cobden Villa, Luxury Art Deco Style accommodation - Ref 0010:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

3 nights Greenhill The Lodge - luxury retreat
- Ref 0011:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

YHB Package
Prize Winner

Congratulations
Ricardo King of
Pan Pacific Travel Corporation

The lucky winner of Y Hawke’s Bay accommodation and activity package prize valued at $5,000, which included: 

The opportunity to enjoy 2 nights and 3 days on us and experience one of our suggested itineraries – a taste of what Hawke’s Bay is all about! 

• Church Road Winery and Museum Tour, Wine Tasting and Lunch

• Luxury bed and breakfast accommodation at Cobden Villa “Art Deco Style.”

• Golf at world renowned Cape Kidnappers golf course named 47th best course outside the US for 2004 by Golf Digest Magazine.

• A 30 minute scenic helicopter flight landing on the cliff tops of Cape Kidnappers then driven to the world's largest main land gannet colony.

• Dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at Greenhill The Lodge an opulent and private retreat in the heart of Hawke’s Bay Wine Country.

• A half day guided personalised luxury tour of Hawke’s Bay with Long Island Tours. Experience some of the best of New Zealand wine, food, history, art and Maori culture.

All of the YHB members were represented at TRENZ held in Christchurch. We would like to thank you for your support and enthusiasm we enjoyed making new contacts and meeting old friends again. We received overwhelming feedback on how nice it is to see Hawke’s Bay product suppliers working together to make things easier. The Happy Hours in the Hawke’s Bay area proved to be a star attraction.

Two Hawke’s Bay packages to enhance your clients experience and remember normal commissions apply.

Package 1 - Ref - 0015

All inclusive rack price is $1190 double occupancy. Enjoy two nights of luxury in the romantic Chiparus Suite at "Art Deco" Style Cobden Villa. Clients can relax in the spa tub with a complimentary bottle of local wine or unwind from a full day's travel in the double shower steam room. Gourmet breakfast included and a museum tour and lunch for two with a bottle of reserve wine at Church Road Winery. A four hour overland safari to Cape Kidnappers with Gannet Safaris Overland to the largest and most accessible mainland colony of gannets in the world, is also provided.

Package 2 - Ref - 0016

All inclusive rack price is $2,660 double occupancy. Enjoy two nights of luxury accommodation in a King Room at Greenhill The Lodge, an opulent and private retreat located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay wine country. The package includes pre dinner drinks, canapés and a three course table d’hote dinner each evening and a full cooked or continental breakfast each morning. On day two Brigid Ormond from Long Island Tours will take guests on a guided personalised luxury tour of Hawke’s Bay and enable them to experience some of the best of New Zealand wine, food, history, art and Maori culture.