$40 million wave of tourism investment in Northland

28 November, 2005

DESTINATION NORTHLAND : MEDIA RELEASES 2005

Northland's tourism industry is experiencing an unparalleled period of investment, with more than $40 million spent on new and expanded facilities in the past two years.

And according to regional tourism agency Destination Northland, a number of further projects are planned, with some already working through the resource consent process.

Destination Northland manager Robyn Bolton said the benefits are being shared throughout the region, with major developments in the Hokianga, at Tutukaka and at Doubtless Bay joining those in the Bay of Islands .

“Northland's economic development and tourism strategies have provided a platform for strong regional development, and have also helped to secure Government involvement, which in turn has given investors confidence in the region.

“This sort of investment paves the way for an increase in visitor numbers and length of stay, which translates into higher earnings for Northland,” said Ms Bolton.

The largest of Northland's new tourism projects over the past two years was the construction of Oceans Resort Tutukaka, at close to $30 million. The complex contains 28 hotel rooms and 35 apartments, along with conference facilities and retail shops.

General manager Stephan Rudich says Oceans has created 30 new full-time positions, along with indirect employment in the shops. “We have been well-received by the Auckland leisure market and we're starting to really get ahead in the conference market.” Oceans has already hosted product launches and conferences for major corporates, including some household names.

Also on the Tutukaka Coast , the Tutukaka Wild Adventure Company has added a new café, reception, gallery and conference room, a pair of luge tracks, a rock-climbing wall and paintball tag, and is working on a mini-putt golf course.

On the Hokianga, the former Omapere Tourist Hotel became the Copthorne Hokianga in April. The existing units were upgraded, 12 new beachfront rooms were added and a health spa built, at a total cost of almost $1.5 million.

General Manager Shane Lloydd said the arrival of the international Copthorne brand has been a big plus for the Hokianga. “Having the Copthorne name has brought a lot of confidence to inbound tour operators and coach tour companies. We are really rapt to have made it into some major brochures overseas, which is going to be huge for us in terms of our 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.”

In the Far North, last year saw the opening of Carrington Resort's multi-million dollar Karikari Estate winery, which includes tasting facilities and café/function areas overlooking Great Exhibition Bay . Karikari Estate has won 14 medals in its first two vintages and now exports to China , the United States and Japan .

Together, Carrington Resort and Karikari Estate employ a core staff of about 60 people, with extra staff taken on during vintage (harvesting) and pruning.

Another new Northland facility is the $7 million theatre and convention complex The Centre at Kerikeri.