4 May 2016 - The $51million dollar development by local owners C.P. Group will be the third luxury Sofitel Hotel in New Zealand, joining its award-winning sister hotels Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa.
Sofitel’s new 129-room, 14-storey hotel is set to become the capital’s must-stay destination for business and leisure nestled between Wellington’s iconic landmarks ‘The Beehive’ and the Botanical Gardens. Guests can enjoy beautifully-appointed rooms and suites in vintage gold and bronze tones with indulgent rain showers, complimentary wifi internet for multiple devices, Smart TVs with Bluetooth, a So Fit gymnasium and state of the art technology across three meeting and event venues.
Award-winning New Zealand design firm SPACE Studios in collaboration with AccorHotels Director of Interior design for Asia Pacific, Stephane Lombard, linked local and French heritage through a botanical inspired décor by merging the influence of both the Wellington and Luxembourg Gardens.
OPENING RATES: Sofitel Wellington is now bookable on accorhotels.com and sofitel.com for stays from 1 July 2016. Room rates start from $NZD 225 per room per night.
Read more at http://www.etbtravelnews.com
Arrangements agreed today - Monday 2 May 2016 - open up new opportunities for airlines to fly between New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges and New Caledonia President Philippe Germain today formalised new air services arrangements negotiated in November 2015. These included amendments to New Zealand's 1967 Air Transport Agreement with France, which pertain to New Caledonia.
President Germain is visiting New Zealand along with French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls.
“Under the new agreement, airlines from New Zealand and New Caledonia now have the opportunity to operate additional services to the other,” Mr Bridges says.
“The agreement will also make the process easier for New Zealand airlines to fly from New Caledonia to other international destinations in future.
“The two countries are close Pacific neighbours, with nearly 30,000 passengers travelling between them each year. Arrangements such as these, which assist the movement of people and goods, are an important part of the relationship.”
Mr Bridges says this another example of the Government’s success in negotiating air services agreements.
“With more than 50 new or amended air service agreements negotiated over the last four years, the Government’s International Air Transport Policy is bringing a number of benefits to New Zealand including tourism and trade.
“In the last year alone, 18 new air routes have been announced, making it easier for New Zealanders to travel and trade internationally.”
Press Release from Transport Minister Simon Bridges 2 May 2016
New Zealand’s new air services agreement with India strengthens ties with one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges signed the agreement with Sanjeev Balyan, India’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, in Auckland today - Sunday 1 May 2016.
The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister John Key and India’s President Pranab Mukherjee.
“New Zealand airlines now have the opportunity to code-share to seven cities in India - Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi,” Mr Bridges says.
“India is an emerging superpower, and its population of 1.25 billion people presents enormous opportunities for New Zealand.
“Our annual trade with India is worth more than $1 billion. In the year to 31 March 2016, almost 52,000 Kiwis travelled to India and close to 60,000 Indians visited New Zealand. In addition, more than 160,000 people of Indian descent live here.
“Today’s signing will boost tourism, trade and personal ties between our two countries.”
Mr Bridges says the Government’s liberal International Air Transport Policy is bringing many benefits to New Zealand.
“Since the policy was implemented in 2012 more than 50 new or amended air agreements have been negotiated, bringing the total to 78. Most of the major airlines in the world are now able to operate services to New Zealand without restriction, with 18 new air routes announced in the past year alone.
“Our success in negotiating Air Services Agreements is providing New Zealand access to a large wealth of benefits including tourism and trade. We’ll continue our efforts to grow and enhance these connections, making it easier for New Zealanders to travel and trade internationally.”
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242