Media releases
25 June 2015
Masterton holiday park tops in hospitality
It was countless examples of sacrifices made for guests that won Mawley Holiday Park in Masterton the AA Traveller Spirit of Hospitality Award last night at the Holiday Parks Conference in Auckland.
18 June 2015
Small kindnesses lead to national hospitality recognition
When it comes to creating the ultimate holiday experience, five holiday parks from across New Zealand know just what it takes to turn an average vacation into the ultimate holiday experience.Mawley Holiday Park in Masterton, Beachaven Kiwi Holiday Park in Waihi, Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park, Waikanae Beach Top 10 near Gisborne and Whangateau Holiday Park north of Auckland have been selected as finalists for the AA Traveller Spirit of Hospitality Award.The award recognises and celebrates the effort put in by the people who provide the experiences at New Zealand holiday parks.AA Tourism Publishing General Manager Moira Penman says it’s often small acts of kindness, along with hosts consistently doing that little bit extra for their guests, that makes these finalists stand out.“The finalists this year have shown outstanding examples of hospitality from specially catering Christmas breakfast to make international guests feel at home, to providing lifejackets and fixing the wheel on a trailer to ensure two young boys got to enjoy their first ever fishing trip with their dad,” says Ms Penman.“Each of our five finalists has gone above and beyond to make hospitality in the holiday park sector truly shine,” she says.
8 June 2015
PetrolWatch – May 2015: Price war ceasefire
Fuel prices in many parts of the country rose a total of 2 cents per litre during May, but in other areas the price rise was much higher as the long-running price discount war suddenly came to an end.The price of 91 octane petrol at most outlets began the month on $2.03 per litre – the first time it had been over $2 since early December – and rose to $2.10 per litre before falling to end the month on $2.05 per litre. Diesel prices in many of the main centres initially rose 7 cents to $1.36 per litre, before dropping to $1.31 per litre.But in parts of Auckland, Whangarei, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hastings, Manawatu, Whanganui, Levin and Masterton – where there had previously been heavy price discounting – prices at many service stations suddenly rose from below $1.90 a litre to over $2 per litre.“Many lucky motorists had not seen petrol prices over $2 a litre for over a year thanks to intense local price competition which was sometimes more than 30 cents below the price being charged in much of the South Island and lower North Island,” says AA PetrolWatch spokesperson Mark Stockdale.“The price war came to...
28 May 2015
AA urges drivers to do the safety basics this weekend
Don’t let your brain go on holiday when you are driving this long weekend, says the Automobile Association.
28 May 2015
AA welcomes progress on Puhoi-Warkworth highway
The AA has welcomed today’s decision by the Government to allow the Puhoi-Warkworth Road of National Significance (RoNS) to be delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP).
1 May 2015
Auckland Council getting ahead of itself with targeted transport rate – AA
Auckland Council needs to come up with a better plan to solve Auckland’s transport problems before asking residents to pay more, the Automobile Association (AA) says.
1 May 2015
PetrolWatch - April 2015: Petrol prices over $2 for the first time since December
Rising commodity prices mean the price of 91 octane petrol has risen over $2 per litre for the first time since early December, says AA PetrolWatch.
8 April 2015
Chinese visitors special focus for new AA Traveller guide
Assisting travel for Chinese visitors to New Zealand will be a special focus for the AA this year.AA Traveller will publish a unique New Zealand travel guide designed to cater to the needs of the 260,000 inbound Chinese to this country every year alongside the 170,000 who have made it home.The book will be written in Chinese and will complement the existing production of almost three million guides, directories and maps already published by AA Traveller with a focus on New Zealand’s major tourist destinations and the areas around them.AA Traveller General Manager Moira Penman says while there is travel information available to Chinese visitors, there is no comprehensive printed material available in their own language to assist them in deciding what to do while in New Zealand.“Combined with ethnic Chinese residents, there are more than half a million people who can benefit from targeted travel information. While the industry is well catered for in terms of available travel information, most of it’s in English which is less than helpful for visitors if they can’t read it,” Ms Penman says.However, Tourism New Zealand research on inbound Chinese visitors shows that 45% look to guides and books about the country for...
7 April 2015
PetrolWatch - Mar 2015: Fuel prices ebb and flow
After climbing 16 cents per litre during February, petrol prices continued to rise during March before falling later in the month. They initially rose 4 cents per litre before falling 4 cents to end the month on $1.92 per litre for 91 octane at most outlets. Diesel prices fell 2 cents in March to $1.20 per litre in the main centres.
27 March 2015
West Coasters spend up large on travel
Aucklanders travel throughout New Zealand the most, but their cousins in the West Coast are the biggest spenders according to recent AA Traveller research.