The first day of tour where we are staying one night in Tokaanu then a week in Thames, and a week in Rotorua was very eventful and frightening.
Artificial intelligence could deepen inequality and create ‘AI-poverty traps’ in developing nations, write economists Dr Asha Sundaram and Dr Dennis Wesselbaum in their paper ‘Economic development reloaded: the AI revolution in developing nations’.
Imagine waking up to the soothing sound of a river flowing gently into the sea, the air fresh with a salty breeze, and a symphony of birds to serenade the morning. This idyllic scene isn't a far-off dream but a reality at the Waikanae River Mouth Freedom Camping Area. In this blog post, we'll guide you through everything you need to know about this idyllic camping spot, how to adhere to the rules and set your self up for a wonderful (but brief stay).
Festival headliner trio 19-Twenty will perform Saturday night.
The New Zealand Blues & BBQ Festival is already making noise, with early bird two-day passes selling out before the deadline, proving there’s a hearty appetite for this epic three-day celebration of incredible blues music and mouthwatering food, returning to Rotorua this 28-30 November.
Iconic hamburger brand, Wendy’s is gearing up to fuel the passion of fans, followers, and friends of the One New Zealand Warriors with the unveiling of its limited edition Feed the Faith menu. Available now at all Wendy’s NZ restaurants until 10 August, the Feed the Faith Sweet & Smoky BBQ range is set to be the ultimate pre- and post-game ritual that Warriors fans will remember long after the official whistle blows.
AUCKLAND, 28th May 2025: Keep your energy levels up and winter bugs at bay this winter by embracing nature’s own medicine – fresh seasonal produce.
Rotorua is standing out from the rest of the country, according to the latest Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor, with the district recording positive movement across several key areas, despite a challenging national economic environment.
Photo by Jeanne Rouillard on Unsplash
“It’s astounding this has happened for a third time in a row. Hundreds of entries have poured in from Aotearoa New Zealand artists at all stages of their careers, exceeding all our expectations. This reflects the vibrancy of the nation’s art scene and the essential role art plays in our society, as well as the importance of our philanthropic partners who enable us to offer such generous prizes.”
Embarking on a unique voyage as we attempt to narrate what we hope will be the most captivating road trip for Gem, my spirited Border Terrier, and Bones, aka Tony Cutting (me), her devoted human companion.
This is not your ordinary tourist tandem but a dynamic team with a quest to rhapsodise (speak or write about with great enthusiasm and delight) the lesser-known corners of New Zealand.
All in Rotorua NZ
Festival headliner trio 19-Twenty will perform Saturday night.
The New Zealand Blues & BBQ Festival is already making noise, with early bird two-day passes selling out before the deadline, proving there’s a hearty appetite for this epic three-day celebration of incredible blues music and mouthwatering food, returning to Rotorua this 28-30 November.
Rotorua is standing out from the rest of the country, according to the latest Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor, with the district recording positive movement across several key areas, despite a challenging national economic environment.
Photo by Jeanne Rouillard on Unsplash
Rotorua is fast becoming “the” destination to acknowledge and celebrate Matariki, with jam-packed schedule of events, music, activities and a sacred dawn ceremony – all of which enable locals and manuhiri alike to share the tikanga and magic that Matariki brings.
Explore Central North Island (ECNI), a marketing collective of eight regional tourism organisations (RTOs), is proud to announce a bold new trade initiative targeting the North American market, delivered in partnership with Air New Zealand USA.
Rotorua and Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa will bring Indigenous voices, knowledge, and innovations to the forefront as hosts of the World Indigenous Cancer Conference (WICC) 2026.
Rotorua is bursting with pride as three of its premier tourism attractions have been honoured with four prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, highlighting the city's unparalleled experiences and natural beauty.
Rotorua Canopy Tours’ Original Tour has set an exceptional standard, earning two coveted Best of the Best Things to Do awards. It clinched the number one spot in the Top Experiences New Zealand category and achieved an impressive 10th place in the Nature & Outdoors – World category. This recognition underscores Rotorua Canopy Tours’ commitment to providing unforgettable adventures while showcasing the region's stunning environment.
A new report underscores Rotorua's position as a leading international destination for spa and wellness tourism, drawing attention to the city's rich geothermal resources and diverse offerings. With global interest in health and wellbeing continuing to increase, the report predicts visitor spend by Rotorua spa and wellness holidaymakers, could jump from the $277.6 million spent in 2023, to $408.2 million in just a few years.
The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has reconfirmed Rotorua’s status as one of the world’s best mountain biking destinations by renewing the city’s gold-level Ride Centre™ status for another four years. There are currently only six gold-level IMBA Ride Centres in the world.
Last Sunday, Gem and I travelled up the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula to the stunning little settlement of Coromandel town..
The drive from Thames to Coromandel took about an hour, but was very picturesque. The road up was a bit dodgy (skinny) with loads of vehicles towing large caravans or Boats along the way. I was happy Roxanne (The Caravan) was resting back in Thames for this trip.