Social & Tours

SOCIAL EVENTS

WELCOME RECEPTION

Oceania, Te Papa, Sunday 16 November 2008

An informal Welcome Reception will take place on Sunday evening, allowing delegates to relax and socialise, renewing old friendships and making new ones. Drinks and canapés will be served.

Attendance is included in the registration fee, guest tickets $40.00 (inc GST)

SYMPOSIUM BANQUET

WellingtonFoyer, Te Papa, Tuesday 18 November 2008

The Symposium Banquet is the highlight of the social programme. The evening will begin with a pre dinner drinks reception followed by dinner. Delegates will dine in Te Papa’s spectacular Wellington Foyer while enjoying stunning views of Wellington City and harbour. To offer delegates a flavour of New Zealand, the menu will be selected using the finest local ingredients. After dinner entertainment is planned and further details will be available shortly.

Attendance is included in the registration fee, guest tickets $100.00 (inc GST)

The three tours below are planned as part of the Symposium Programme on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 November 2008. You can book and pay for any of these tours when you register for the Symposium.

OPTION 1: KARORI SANCTUARY

Karori Sanctuary is a safe haven for endangered native birds and other wildlife, located minutes from downtown Wellington. A predator-proof fence surrounds the Sanctuary, protecting the wildlife and ensuring the forest regenerates to its former glory. This world-first conservation attraction is an inspiring place to visit and learn about New Zealand's unique wildlife. Discover New Zealand as it was—today. For further information on the sanctuary please visit www.sanctuary.org.nz

The tour begins with a cruise on the lake in their electric boat (weather dependent), hear the fascinating story of the establishment and restoration of some of the Sanctuary’s most exciting residential birds, such as tuatara, kaka, hihi, saddleback and weta. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off at Te Papa.

Duration: 3 hrs
Start time: 1.30pm
Cost: $40 (includes return transport from Te Papa, entry fee and GST)

Discover Wellington’s extraordinary natural features and contrasts. Guests will stroll along Wellington’s beautiful waterfront, hearing Maori legends of the sea monsters, or Taniwha, who once inhabited the harbour’s mysterious depths, and of the legendary warrior who landed his canoe on the Wellington shore.

Take a four-wheel drive journey to the Seal Coast, across a live tectonic fault line and around craggy headlands to visit a colony of fur seals living on the spectacular rocky coast and enjoy a delicious outdoor picnic with spectacular views.

Duration: 4 hours
Start Time: 1.30pm
Cost: $118 (includes return transport from Te Papa, afternoon tea, entry fees, GST)
Capacity: Maximum capacity of 18. Tickets will be issued on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

We start off the tour with fantastic views from a landmark peak right in the city. Hear the legend of how the harbour was formed.

Take a private, hosted tour of the Museum of Wellington City and Sea. The Museum showcases Wellington’s rich artisctic, cultural and natural history, providing guests with a fascinating and interactive insight into our city.

Take a guided tour though New Zealand bush on the fringes of the city where endangered birds including the kaka, kiwi, saddleback and bellbird are regenerating in the native forest. Walk along safe bush trails among the giants of the forest, while learning traditional bush lore.

Duration: 4 hours
Start Time: 1.30pm
Cost: $118 (includes return transport from Te Papa, afternoon tea, entry fees, GST)

The following options are suggestions of available tours which you may wish to book independently. Please note that prices quoted may be subject to change.

Somes/Matiu Island Reserve in Wellington Harbour

Contact: Office/ Bookings: Ph: +64 (0) 4 499 1282, Fax: +64 (0) 4 499 1288
Email: info@eastbywest.co.nz

Visit this island nature reserve, which was formerly a quarantine and prisoner of war station located in the middle of Wellington’s harbour (approximately 15 mins from the city by ferry). Visitors can wander through native plant and bird life while tracing the island’s extraordinary history. Walks on Matiu/Somes offer excellent bird-watching opportunities as well as the chance to study plants and animals enjoying the pest-free environment.

Duration: 3 hrs
Start time: 1.30pm
Cost: Adult $18.50, Child $10.00, Family $55.50 (for ferry crossing - paid at the ferry)

Contact: Ferg’s Kayaking, Ph: +64 (0) 4499 8898, Fax: +64 (0) 4499 8896 wn@fergskayaks.co.nz

Independent Paddling

Paddle around the picturesque bays of Wellington harbour.

Note: Kayaking is weather dependent

Duration: various
Start time: 1.30pm
Cost: $35pp – ½ day

The Scorcher Tour

Tour the wonders of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour) from Queens Wharf around the southern shoreline, past Te Papa, Oriental Bay Beach and across the mouth of Evans Bay, around to the channel and Scorching Bay Beach. You'll enjoy the scenic paddle which mixes city scapes with wild and rugged coastlines. Our guides will keep you entertained with stories of maritime history of the area and Maori legends, including the legend of how the harbour was formed. End your paddle by pulling your kayak up on to Scorching Bay Beach where you will find another friendly Fergs Kayaks staff member ready to hand over your warm and cosy change of clothes. We will pack up your kayaks while you enjoy a tasty picnic on one of Wellington's best beaches. Once you're fed and watered our van will bring you back to Queens Wharf.

Duration: 5-6 hrs
Start time 1.30pm
Cost: $175pp

Contact:Robin Corbett, Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Ph: NZ 0800 471 227 or +64 6 377 1227, Fax: +64 6 377 2061, Email: tours@tranzit.co.nz

Jump on board for a scenic train ride to Featherston in the Wairarapa where you’ll be met by a luxury coach and whisked off for some wine tastings at 3 vineyards, tour and taste at Murdoch James Estate along with a 2 course dinner and return coach to Wellington.

Duration: 5 hrs
Start time: 12.55pm (sharp as the train is in general service)
Cost: $187pp

Contact: Rover Ring Tours, Ph: +64 (0) 2142 6211, Fax: + 64 (0)4 973 3998 Email: info@wellingtonrover.co.nz

The Half day Lord of the Rings location tour brings the best 7 locations in both the North and South of Wellington. This is the best way to see Wellington's Lord of the Rings locations in half a day with the experience of knowledgeable guides. Visit and spend time in these movie locations.

• Outskirts of the Shire (get off the road)
• Race to the Ferry
• Rivendell
• Fords of Isen
• Gardens of Isengard
• River Anduin
• Minas Tirith
• Helms Deep

The first location is exploring Mount Victoria and the 'recreation greenbelt' where the Hobbits hid and were chased by Ringwraiths. From Mount Victoria you are driven north to explore the Hutt Valley. Stops include the Hutt River (Anduin) and Harcourt Park (Isengard). In Kaitoke Regional Park you are served with afternoon tea under the Elevish trees of the Rivendell location. We also spend time at Minas Tirith and Helms Deep at an old quarry closed to general visitors.

Duration: 4 hrs
Start time: 1.30pm
Costs: $90.00pp

City Walking Tour

Contact: Kerry McCarty, Walk Wellington, Ph: +64 (0)4 498 0340, Email: walkwellington@xtra.co.nz

For those who enjoy walking this is the tour for you. Walk the central city with friendly and knowledgeable guides showing some of Wellington’s wonderful sights - city tour includes:

Parliament Buildings: regular tours provided free of charge give an insight into New Zealand’s political heritage. Museum of Wellington City and Sea: visitors are told stories of Wellington in an interactive and entertaining way. Old St Paul’s Cathedral: this gothic-style church was built from New Zealand native timbers in 1866. The Cable Car: ride from downtown Wellington up to the Botanic Garden for sweeping views of the city and harbour

The Botanical Gardens: wander through 26 hectares of specialist gardens, native bush and lawn areas, down to historic Thorndon, New Zealand’s oldest suburb.

Duration: 2 hrs
Start time: 2pm
Cost: $30pp

Contact: Armchair Tours, Ph: +64 (0)4 232 1038 Fax: +64 (0)4 232 7407, Email: jones@paradise.net.nz

Tour includes visits to: Parliament Buildings: regular tours provided free of charge give an insight into New Zealand’s political heritage; Old St Paul’s Cathedral: this gothic-style church was built from New Zealand native timbers in 1866. The Cable Car: ride from downtown Wellington up to the Botanic Garden for sweeping views of the city and harbour; Mt Victoria Lookout: Wonderful views of Wellington region; Coastal : 4 wheel drive to Red Rocks and Sinclair Head seal colony; Brooklyn wind turbines – fabulous views of the Wellington Harbour and the Cook Strait.

Duration: 3 1/2 hrs
Start time: 1.30pm
Cost $65.00

Contact: Sally.Jennings@maf.govt.nz

The tour will start with a short train ride to Petone to begin the walk. The park covers 3691 hectares and separates Wellington and the Hutt Valley from Porirua Habour. The walking tracks weave there way through mature and regenerating bush to the historic Korokoro Dam and up to spectacular all round views of the Wellington region. At the end of the walk you will be met by a coach to drive you back to Te Papa.

Duration: 4 1/2 hrs
Start time: 1.00pm
Cost: $40.00pp

Contact: Sally.Jennings@maf.govt.nz

Tour starts with a quiet amble along the harbour to the Central Railway Station and train ride through to Khandallah where you will alight with your guide to begin the lovely walk to Mt Kaukau summit. The climb is only 264 m but over roughly 1.5 km. The first part of the walk is mainly done in the forest. As you get closer to the top, the density of the trees decrease which allows you to have some views on your way up. At the summit, you have nice view of the Wellington harbour, the Rimutaka ranges, the hills around Wellington and the south island. At the end of the walk there’s a café to relax and enjoy the lovely bush setting.

Duration: 3 hrs
Start time: 1.30pm
Cost: $10 pp (includes return train trip from Te Papa to Khandallah)