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The fantastic deal is available on all room types and combines accommodation with a daily complimentary full buffet breakfast for two at threesixty restaurant and skiing for four-days at the world-class ski fields.

Snowsports enthusiasts keen to secure the exceptional early bird rates must book by March 30 2017. Prices start from NZ$385 per night.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown General Manager Anna Edie says the superb value package offers visitors all the skiing and riding they can handle in four days.

“There’s nothing like the feeling of zipping down a snow-covered mountain under gorgeous blue skies, especially in Queenstown where the views are absolutely breathtaking,” she says.

“As summer slides into autumn we know we have plenty of guests who are already looking forward to their value-packed and fun-filled winter holiday, so now there’s no need to wait.

“With up-to-the-minute snow reports, hearty breakfasts and take-away lunches, in-room massage options, in-hotel ski rental service, a ski shuttle stop outside the hotel, and secure and heated ski gear storage, we’re the perfect home-away-from home for that ski break.”

Widely known as Queenstown’s chic, friendly and cosmopolitan downtown hotel, Crowne Plaza Queenstown is the perfect ski base, enjoying the best in-town location overlooking stunning Lake Wakatipu and the spectacular Remarkables mountain range.

“After an adventurous day up the slopes, guests are invited to slip into après-ski mode, relax and unwind with a warming mulled wine, an ice-cold beer or sample a signature cocktail in our city-style Martini Bar,” says Ms Edie.

“Our restaurant threesixty has a mouthwatering winter menu that’s sure to please hungry skiers, or if guests wish to venture out for the evening we’re on the doorstep of Queenstown’s vibrant nightlife.”

Upgrade options are available subject to availability, and additional nights can be booked directly with the hotel. Bookings for the early bird deal must be made by March 30 2017.

For bookings or more information go to crowneplaza.nz/EarlyBirdSki

Photo caption (The Remarkables/NZSki):

1/ Crowne Plaza Queenstown guests can enjoy perfect snow conditions at The Remarkables

The announcement comes as Southern Discoveries celebrates impressive growth, with significant investment over the past eight years in its Milford Sound and Queenstown operations.

CEO Tim Hunter said the company prided itself on its exceptional customer service and was always looking for new ways to improve products and services to enhance the customer experience.

“With visitor numbers to Milford Sound continuing to rise, we’re expecting strong demand for our new coach and cruise day trips from Queenstown,” he said.

“The road to Milford Sound is a tourism experience in itself, and these new coaches will enable us to offer a seamless service from Queenstown, on vehicles and vessels that are purpose-built for sightseeing.

“We’ll provide multi-lingual commentary en route and ensure we have a number of day trip options to suit the needs of a wide range of visitors.”

Southern Discoveries is Milford Sound’s original cruise operator and has been owned by the Queenstown-based Skeggs family since 2008. The company now operates six cruising vessels and has 130 staff members in Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound.

The company’s range of new experiences introduced over recent years include kayaking in Milford Sound, scenic cruises on Lake Wakatipu and cycling and high country farm experiences in Queenstown.

Southern Discoveries will launch its new coach and cruise products from Queenstown to Milford Sound from August 2017.

Click here to visit Southern Discoveries’ website.

“I could not be more thrilled to lead a hotel and team of this calibre into the future,” she says.

“I am looking forward to connecting with Queenstown’s vibrant business community and being part of a large hotel that’s perfect for leisure, business and conference and incentive guests all year round.

“It’s certainly going to be a shock adapting to Queenstown’s cooler winter temperatures in particular, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the great outdoors, learning how to ski and spending time with the family.”

Anna’s extensive hotel career has seen her overseeing rooms division and food and beverage operations for new and established IHG hotels, including Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, pre-opening at Holiday Inn Gwangju in Korea, Crowne Plaza Darwin and Intercontinental Shenzhen in China.

Her international experience, keen eye for continuous improvement in guest experience and financial expertise is welcomed by IHG’s Area General Manager – New Zealand Tim Pollock.

“Anna is recognised as an articulate leader and has extensive experience with different cultures, brands and owners throughout luxury hotels and resorts,” he says.

“Diversity is hugely important at IHG and we’re pleased to welcome young talent like Anna, with her adaptable and resilient character, to lead the Queenstown team.

“We wish her every success in her role.”

IHG currently operates six properties in New Zealand including Crowne Plaza hotels in Auckland and Queenstown, three Holiday Inn properties in Queenstown, Rotorua and at Auckland Airport, and the InterContinental Wellington. It will also operate Crowne Plaza Christchurch which is due to open later this year.

Click here to visit Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ Anna Edie joins Crowne Plaza Queenstown this week as its new General Manager

“It’s a huge boost to the tournament to attract four players of this quality,” said New Zealand Open Tournament Director, Michael Glading.

“Song is now 78^th in the world so he is ranked ahead of the likes of our own Danny Lee and Major winners like Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley.

“Slocum has battled professional life with ulcerative colitis and still won some of the biggest events on the PGA Tour and amassed over $22 million in the process.

“Park has strong links to New Zealand, and is battling back from injury in his career on the PGA Tour while Marcus Fraser is a class player around the globe.

“With the level of players coming as a result of our partnerships with the Japan Tour and the Asian Tour, and strong representation from Australia and New Zealand, the Open this year will be eye-catching.”

Slocum, 43, who will also play in the LawnMaster Horizon Golf NZPGA Championship in Palmerston North, has won seven times on the PGA Tour including the McGladrey Classic in 2010, the Barclays in 2009 and the Chrysler Classic in 2004.

He qualified for the first six FEDEx Cup playoffs in a row, finished runner-up in the World Cup with Boo Weekley representing USA, and was a regular contender for many years.

Since contracting ulcerative colitis in 1997 he’s since become a national spokesperson for CCFA (Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation) as well as a significant financial contributor.

Park played in New Zealand as an amateur, earning a number of titles at North Harbour, where his coaches included well-known Kiwi professional Bob MacDonald.

He turned professional with a win on the Japan Challenge Tour in 2010 and after earning promotion to the Japan Tour, win the Vana H Cup KBC Augusta in 2013, finishing 5^th on the Japan Order of Merit that year. Park earned promotion to Web.com Tour and then on to the PGA Tour in 2015 where he finished runner-up to Bill Haas in the Humana Challenge in just his fifth start. His winnings that year totalled US$600,000. He represented South Korea at the 2011 World Cup.

He is returning to play after being sidelined with a shoulder injury, after earning a medical exemption from the PGA Tour for 2017.

At just 25, Song is a revelation since turning professional in 2011. He enjoyed three runner-ups to be 15^th on the moneylist on the Japan Tour in 2015 with his breakthrough coming with a stunning one shot victory over Jordan Speith in the CIMB Singapore Open in 2016. He finished 2016 in fourth place on the Japan money list, making him the highest-ranking JGTO player in the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open field.

Fraser is a class player with six wins to his credit on the European and Asian Tours, along with turn runners-up in playoffs tin the Australian Masters, BMW Open and Balantines. The 38-year-old, currently ranked 133^rd in the world, was the midway leader at the Rio Olympics after an opening round 63.

Prior to turning professional he was one of the world’s leading amateurs, winning the prestigious Asia Pacific Championship in 2001 before crossing the Tasman to win the New Zealand Amateur title in 2002.

The tournament has attracted 11 former New Zealand Open winners along with former Major winner YE Yang.

The field will be finalised next week, with the opening two rounds split between The Hills and Millbrook Resort, which will host the final two rounds.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Stage One of the project – consisting of the first 56 houses — will shortly be on the market and registrations of interest through Bayleys Real Estate have been enthusiastic. Construction is scheduled to start this year and the first stage will take about 18 months to complete. Further stages will be released during the year.

Pricing will be released shortly with a range of housing, sizes and layouts available. All properties feature rear garaging and some have additional studio or office spaces, making them flexible enough to suit a range of potential buyers.

Mr Mah described Queenstown as one of the premier tourism destinations in New Zealand, if not globally.

“We’re very excited to bring Remarkables Residences to Queenstown because we know the demand for good accommodation is there, and we’re creating a development with an Alpine feel to it in a very attractive location at the foothills of the mountains.

“It’s a great value-for-money project that we believe will add to the Queenstown environment in a very positive way, helping to grow the town and meet demand as well as being a commercial success. We hope you’ll be as proud of it as we are.”

Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult, speaking at the announcement, described Remarkables Residences as “a very welcome addition to our district”.

“This development marks a confidence ‘tick’ in the future of Queenstown and our economic development as a high-value tourism destination,” he said.

“We’re in a period of sustained development and extraordinary growth rates, with population growth increasing by 7.1% in the last year compared to national growth of just 2.1%, and visitor numbers of 66,000 on peak days.

“So your decision to create 225 townhouses that will be attractive to families as well as people looking for investments is something our council welcomes.”

The properties are being marketed by Bayleys and there is already strong interest from existing Bayleys clients.

Bayley’s Corporation Chairman John Bayley, also in Queenstown for the announcement, said they were “perfect” for a wide range of buyers.

“They’ll suit owner-occupiers, families, or businesses wanting to house key workers,” he said. “Their appeal will also reach holidaymakers who might know and love Queenstown, Kiwi investors and international buyers who want to invest in this dynamic, fast-growing location.”

Mr Bayley said Remarkables Residences brought “much-needed” supply to the Queenstown market, transforming a bare piece of land into a safe, social and diverse community.

Remarkables Residences is being marketed as well-built, stylish and low maintenance homes incorporating latest design techniques. Master-planned by DASL Consultants and designed by Auckland-based Ignite Architects, they are described as a very modern interpretation of popular developments of this kind.

Much work has gone into creating different building forms in each street using proven ‘neighbourhood architecture’, maximizing privacy and lifestyle living, as well as sunshine hours.

Green spaces incorporated in the development include a main public square and smaller open spaces (called Pocket Parks) dotted throughout the area. There are good links to surrounding biking and walking tracks and easy access to public transport, such as the planned park and ride facility.

Mr Bayley said Remarkables Residences is in the most accessible part of Queenstown, close to the airport and a very short walk to retail and hospitality outlets. It is just 10 minutes from central Queenstown, 15 minutes to Arrowtown and 30 minutes to the ski fields.

GYP Properties CEO Stanley Tan is no stranger to Queenstown — he co-developed the Heritage Hotel 20 years ago and is delighted to return to the district.

To register interest or request further information go to www.remarkablesresidences.co.nz

Photo credit:

1/ The Remarkables Residences development has been introduced to local business leaders in Queenstown

But this is star gazing with a difference – incorporating a 40-minute guided night sky tour with trained star guides followed by a 40-minute soak in the hot pools. Guides will continue to give information, answer questions and ‘story tell’ on request, and relaxing astro music will play to soothe the soul.

The outdoor pools at the complex will be lit with low red lighting to add to the mood, and guests on the tours will be supplied with floatation devices to help them relax in the water. The complex’s Tahr Bar and Café will be open for drinks and snacks throughout the tour.

Tekapo Springs owner Karl Burtscher said visitors didn’t have to know about astronomy to enjoy their experience.

“Our trained star guides will deliver a tour that includes information on some of the closest and brightest features in the night sky such as stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies,” he said.

“Guests will hear about the mythology and cultural aspects of the night sky including navigation for Maori and European cultures. Our tours have an emphasis on story telling mixed with some facts and entertainment.

“We’re thrilled to be opening after sourcing and putting our new telescopes in place as well as employing guides and training staff about our unique night skies. We’re always being asked about extending our nighttime operations so this is the perfect way to do it.”

Before enjoying the pools, guests are invited to get ‘closer to the stars and planets’ by looking through two Celestron reflector 9.25 aperture telescopes and a Sky Watcher refractor Esprit 120 Telescope, which Mr Burtscher described as “modern go-to’ telescopes”, sitting on the patio outside the complex’s Tahr Bar & Café.

Tours will go ahead no matter the weather and will operate year-round, with guests enjoying an exciting indoor guided tour with the use of a high definition projector if the sky is not visible at all. English and Mandarin-speaking tours are on offer and tour times will depend on the time of year and when it gets dark enough to see the night sky.

Mr Burtscher said Tekapo Springs had been considering adding the night sky products “for the past two or three years” and the timing was now right.

Just under a year ago, Tekapo Springs officially launched two new pools and an aqua play area new pools at the complex, bringing the total number of pools to five. The new pools proved hugely popular with visitors and locals and have resulted in a significant increase in visitor numbers.

“We just keep adding more and more reasons to visit Tekapo Springs including our winter ice skating rink, winter snow tubing and a huge inflatable summer waterslide,” said Mr Burtscher.

“Adding Tekapo Star Gazing will continue to broaden what we offer, and extend the range of ‘things to do’ in Tekapo at night. Many Asian visitors in particular are entranced by our night skies because they can’t see the stars at home due to excessive light pollution.

Star Gazing tours start at $89 per person and transport is available from the Tekapo Springs info centre. Bookings are highly recommended.

Tekapo Springs is a year-round attraction nestled on the shores of stunning Lake Tekapo, beloved by visitors from all around the globe. Last year it was a winner of the 2016 South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards and a finalist in the Champion Canterbury Business Awards 2016.

Click here to visit Tekapo Springs’s website.

Video credit (Mark Gee):

1/ A stunning time-lapse of the night sky at Tekapo

Fox is excited about having Williams on his bag.

“Steve is the best caddy in the world having worked with greats like Greg Norman, he was 10 years with Tiger Woods and then with Adam Scott and got him to world number one,” said Fox.

“My caddy is pretty excited about me working with Steve and hopefully I learn a bit from him and bring that to our relationship going down the line.”

Williams has supported Fox on his professional journey, giving him advice and sorting a practice round with Adam Scott at the 2015 British Open.

His professional life in Europe and his penchant for fishing when he is back home means Fox has not had much time to play golf with his father.

“It should be fun. I’m not sure how we will handle playing with a few people watching but I am sure he will enjoy the overall experience. Hopefully I can play well and we can both play the weekend.”

The tournament hosts 144 amateur players, each partnering with a professional in a two-person best-ball event, competing for the ISPS Handa NZ Pro-Am Championship which runs alongside the Open, with the leading 10 teams earning a spot amongst the professionals over the final 36 holes.

Fox, who has made the cut in his first four tournaments on the European Tour, competes in the ISPS Handa Super 6 in Perth next week and two tournaments in South Africa before a speedy return to Queenstown.

“Unfortunately I may have a bit of jet lag at the start of the week but hopefully we can combat that and be in contention come Sunday afternoon.”

Fox said after 14 years without a local triumph, that it was time for a Kiwi to win the New Zealand Open title and he would love nothing more than to have his name etched on the Brodie Breeze Trophy.

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour, to be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption (Photosport):

1/ Ryan Fox and father Grant Fox will pair up for the 93^rd ISPS Handa New Zealand Open in Queenstown

The four luxurious Ridgeline Suites on offer – two self-contained Cottage Suites and two Homestead Suites within the original homestead building – boast incredible mountain, lake or river views and supreme privacy.

Sleeping up to two people each, and named after the native birds that frequent Mahu Whenua, each Suite features a king or king-split bed and ensuite with bath.

Visitors staying in the Suites will have a host and chef available to them. They will also have access to all Homestead facilities including two open fireplaces, a large open living area with expansive views, a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen, two dining areas, a media and games room, library, pool table, plenty of storage and dry room.

Outside, guests can take their pick from several spots to unwind — two additional dining areas, a spa pool, sheltered swimming pool and a large deck looking out to Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring National Park.

Accommodation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas, pre-dinner canapés, refreshments and picnics, as well as premium local wine and beverages served with dinner.

Ms Stevens said the owners were incredibly excited to announce the new accommodation offering and meet this demand so soon after launching.

“We have a small but dedicated and extremely knowledgeable team on board to support our guests including an in-house chef, concierge and private guides,” she said.

The Suites and main Homestead rooms have been refurbished to ‘fit’ with the homestead buildings, their unbeatable setting and the environmental ethos of the high country land and its owner, globally-recognised record producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange.

“Guests can revel in this conservation hideaway and never see another soul on the property, apart from guides or staff,” said Fiona. “The beauty of Mahu Whenua is that, while it bears all the hallmarks of an extremely remote location, it’s only a 20-minute drive from Wanaka township.”

Guided onsite experiences include horse trekking, overnight stays at shepherds’ cottages around the station, heli-skiing, mountain biking, 4WD adventures, farm tours, picnics alongside pristine alpine rivers, backcountry touring and wellness experiences.

“Mahu Whenua is a truly unique lodge experience and we are thrilled to be able to open it up to single travelers and couples, while continuing to offer full buy-out, ‘exclusive-use’ bookings,” said Fiona.

*Opening rate is $1850 per Suite per night for up to two guests including all meals, in-house chef, concierge and staff. For further information go to: www.mahuwhenua.co.nz

Photo caption:

1/ Unsurpassed luxury and privacy with a picture-postcard view – a Homestead Suite at Mahu Whenua

Nathan Green triumphed in 2006 at Golf Harbour, while Peter O’Malley won in 1995 when he became the first person to win the New Zealand amateur, New Zealand PGA and New Zealand Open titles. New Zealand-based Aussie Peter Fowler, who won in 1993, is another of the successful players on the Seniors Tour to return to Queenstown.

For Long, it will be a return to his favourite golfing stop, as he eyes a return to fulltime life hopefully on the Seniors’ Tour in the next 18 months.

“I would speak for probably 100 per cent of the players, that Queenstown is the most beautiful, fun week we have on the Australasian Tour,” said Long.

He is looking forward to catching up with the US-based Waite, who is returning to the New Zealand Open after a six year hiatus on the back of his successful return to the game in the US Champions Tour, after turning 50.

Meanwhile Smail is competing early season before returning to the Japan Golf Tour where he has plied his trade with for two decades.

This outstanding Kiwi trio, with a collective 80 years experience on golfing tours in around the globe, have amassed more than NZ$20 million in prizemoney and 18 professional victories between them.

“We are delighted to welcome back our past champions, and most specially the three New Zealand former champions,” said ISPS Handa Tournament Director, Michael Glading. “Golf is a remarkable game and if players look after their health, then the advent of the successful Seniors Tours around the world has seen them continue to play at a high standard.

“Grant Waite had six years out of tournament golf and came back to nearly snatch the US Seniors Open title against a raft of household names in the game.

“Recently Australian Rod Pampling, a regular on this side of the Tasman, won on the PGA Tour at 47 years of age. So we expect this trio of former Kiwi champions to be very competitive.”

Long, who has been based in Western Australia for the last decade, enjoyed seven professional wins including two on the PGA’s Web.com Tour. He has continued to play on the Australasian Tour but now feels it is time to step back up to playing fulltime.

“After 2008 I took a step back and came back to support the Australasian Tour, and play part time,” said Long.

He has mixed life as a general manager of a golf facility with play mostly over the summer months with reasonable success, his last win coming just last year in the Victorian Open.

Three years ago he linked with coach Andy Mowatt who has sparked some positive change for Long.

“I feel I can start playing fulltime again with an eye to turning 50 and the Seniors Tour.  You only get one shot at this so why not.

“My time away from playing fulltime has given me a more balanced view to what I was doing. In doing so it freshened me up. Now I am looking forward to playing more golf again.”

He hopes to reunite with Waite, after playing together in the 1997 World Cup on the famed Kiawah Island Oceans course inUSA.

“I remember he missed one fairway in 72 holes on one of golf’s really tough courses. He is a hell of a player.

“If you keep yourself in good shape and are blessed with good health and still have the desire, then there’s no selector saying you are too old.”

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour, to be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption (Photosport):

1/ Michael Long, one of 11 former champions to return for the 93rd ISPS Handa New Zealand Open

Conveniently located in the heart of Queenstown’s visitor, retail and business district, Crowne Plaza Queenstown combines the convenience of its downtown location with a peaceful nights’ sleep in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

It’s also renowned as the hotel of choice for conference and events bookings, the home of inspiring meetings in an inspirational setting.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown Sales and Marketing Manager Kylie Walker said the upgrades would keep the property “front of mind” for guests across the board.

“The new carpets and furniture are some of the first things people notice when they walk into the property, and reactions have been very positive,” she said.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s threesixty restaurant and bar on the ground floor are the perfect places to sit back, relax and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a good coffee.

On the first floor, new-look meeting rooms and spaces ensure the hotel continues to lead the way as the hotel of choice for the MICE market, offering rooms to the conference, incentive and meetings markets boasting high-end meeting technology and connectivity.

The upgrades include new carpets fitted in all conference and meeting rooms – including Crowne I, Crowne II, Crowne III, and the boardroom – as well as versatile pre and post-function area The Atrium.

“From mid-sized conferences to incentive groups and intimate meetings in the boardroom, we host a diverse range of events each year,” said Ms Walker.

“As market leaders we’re always looking at ways of improving our services and the quality of conference and events rooms and public spaces.”

The hotel’s four meeting rooms look out over breathtaking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony access married with black-out capability when views threaten to become too distracting.

Last year a new High Tea experience was also launched for the meetings, conventions and business events markets. The High Tea includes a selection of top-quality finger sandwiches, a variety of homemade scones served with whipped cream, butter and raspberry jam, and sweets such as red fruit macarons, a chai cheesecake and an orange crème brulée, all served on a three-tiered cake stand.

Click here to visit Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ A smart new look and feel for award-winning threesixty restaurant at Crowne Plaza Queenstown

Arrowtown ‘local’ and Volunteers Manager Richard Hoskin said he’s had a great response so far with over 360 volunteers confirmed for the event.

“I’m thrilled with the army of volunteers and it’s down to the last handful of applicants to take on integral behind-the-scenes roles,” said Hoskin.

“It’s brilliant to see overseas volunteers being part of the mix, including a group of friends from Scotland, California, Australia and New Zealand who meet up annually to volunteer at the event.”

Some score receivers are required for recording and inputting ‘live’ results in the media room, seated amongst New Zealand’s top sports journalists, working closely with walker scorers on course.

“Attention to detail is imperative for the role, you really can’t miss a thing!”

Twenty volunteers are also needed as course marshals at The Hills on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 March to help manage the flow of the course. Roles include holding up the ‘quiet’ signs, green and cross walkers and directing spectators around the course.

A handful of shuttle drivers are required on Thursday and Friday to transport players and caddies to and from Millbrook Resort and The Hills, and between Queenstown and Arrowtown.

Volunteers only working the first two days of the tournament can use their complimentary passes to watch the final two days of golf at Millbrook Resort.

All volunteers will once again go into a draw to win a spot as an amateur player in the 2018 tournament (a prize worth over $10,000), and there are complimentary rounds of golf on offer too.

“A big thank you to those registered to volunteer, and we look forward to an enjoyable and fun tournament week,” said Hoskin.

More than 20 caddies are still needed for the tournament and Caddy Master Andrew Whiley is also keen to register 12 local golfers to be reserve caddies.

“Caddying for young professionals, the odd celebrity or amateur players is the perfect opportunity to get an insiders’ view of the New Zealand Open,” said Whiley.

“It’s also a great way to meet some interesting people from all around the world.

“Last year, seven out of 16 reserve caddies were used during the four-day tournament.”

Reserve caddies are required to be on hand during morning and afternoon starting times on Thursday and Friday to receive their complimentary tickets to the golf.

Unlike volunteers, caddies are paid for their work by their golfer, which can mean anything from $75 a day up to a nice bonus for good performance.

There is a $39 cost to register as a caddy, and all caddies will be given an ISPS Handa New Zealand Open golf shirt and hat to take home. There is no cost to register as a reserve caddy.

Prospective volunteers can register interest at http://www.nzopen.co.nz/volunteers.html or by contacting Richard Hoskin at [email protected].

Caddies should be social or serious golfers with a good level of fitness to carry a golf bag around both courses. Registration is easy by visiting http://www.nzopen.co.nz/caddies-signup.html

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour. The 2017 event will be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ Final call for volunteers and caddies to take part in next month’s ISPS Handa New Zealand Open in Queenstown

Rainbow Pages General Manager James Bennett believes the partnership with one of Queenstown’s biggest and best festivals of the year is a “fantastic step” in uniting the LGBTTQI+ community.

“Partnering with Gay Ski Week QT means we can help to bring communities together, which is what Rainbow Pages is all about,” says James.

“We want to showcase the rainbow community, have a good time and give back to our supportive communities. Sadly, we’ve noticed an increase in homophobia in New Zealand, so it’s more important than ever to provide a safe space where people can be themselves.”

Gay Ski Week QT has been celebrating diversity since 2002. Since then, thousands have poured into Queenstown to attend the week-long festival, jam-packed with parties, cabarets, foam days, karaoke and much more.

This year, as well as its new partner Rainbow Pages, Gay Ski Week QT will launch its rebrand and new website on February 19, where all the dates, early bird tickets and discounted packages will be released.

If you’re interested in becoming a partner, sponsor or volunteer for the event, contact: [email protected]

Photo caption:

1/ Attendees of last year’s Onesie Day event at Cardrona ski field