Category: New Zealand

When it comes to flying, Air New Zealand is renowned for bringing the essence of Kiwi hospitality to the skies. From October 2024, the airline is taking inflight dining to the next level with the launch of its all-new premium menu, ‘A Taste of Aotearoa’. Available in Business Premier and Premium Economy cabins on long-haul flights departing from New Zealand, this menu showcases the finest local ingredients, bringing the flavours of New Zealand to passengers at 30,000 feet.

Authentic Kiwi Flavours in the Sky

Curated by Air New Zealand’s culinary team, the new menu highlights the best of the country’s produce, from the coastal kahawai fish to the renowned tāmure snapper from the Hauraki Gulf. Each dish is carefully crafted to provide an authentic taste of New Zealand, whether you’re indulging in a creamy crayfish bisque or savouring a slow-cooked beef short rib with black truffle jus.

But it’s not just the food that’s making waves. Air New Zealand has also handpicked a selection of its best wines, having blind-tasted over 500 local varieties to ensure only the finest selections make it onboard. Whether you’re a fan of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Rosé, the premium wines have been selected to complement the exquisite dishes served.

A Menu That Celebrates Manaakitanga

Inspired by manaakitanga – the Māori tradition of hospitality – the new menu is designed to reflect New Zealand’s rich culture and dedication to excellent service. Air New Zealand Head of Culinary Justin Koen explains that the goal is to create a dining experience that feels less like you’re in the skies and more like you’re at a top-tier restaurant. “We source the finest New Zealand meats, seafood, and produce to deliver an unmatched taste of Aotearoa in every meal,” Koen shares.

For those flying from Auckland to Singapore, the variety of menu options includes everything from smoked kahawai mousse to grilled zucchini with rewarewa honey herb dressing. And for dessert? A chocolate panna cotta with hazelnut praline awaits.

Menu Highlights

The new menu promises an impressive lineup of culinary delights, including:

• Smoked kahawai mousse with confit potato, chives, and cornichon
• Crayfish bisque with chive crème and sourdough croutons
• Slow-cooked beef short rib with black truffle jus, potato purée, kūmara chips, and fresh rocket
• Seared Hauraki Gulf snapper with nori butter, green pea purée, and crispy batter bits
• Peach and raspberry warm melba pudding with vanilla crème anglaise

More Than Just Premium Cabins

Air New Zealand hasn’t forgotten about those travelling in Economy class either. Special menu items like potato rēwana sourdough roll – a traditional Māori bread – and creamy garlic chicken with roasted kūmara are on offer, ensuring that every passenger enjoys a taste of Aotearoa no matter where they’re seated.

Final Thoughts

With ‘A Taste of Aotearoa’, Air New Zealand has crafted an inflight dining experience that embodies the spirit of New Zealand’s unique culinary heritage. From the freshest seafood to seasonal produce and local wines, this menu is a testament to the airline’s commitment to delivering a world-class experience with every flight. Whether you’re flying for business or leisure, the new premium menu will make your journey a memorable one.

Auckland’s most luxurious boutique hotel, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour officially reopened in late 2020 after an extensive makeover that reaffirms its French luxury and art-de-vivre heritage with contemporary elegance. The hotel will offer striking designed spaces, bespoke experiences, privacy and a sense of discovery.

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour – A History Of High Profile Guests

Overlooking Waitemata Harbour, the hotel has been the preferred choice of high profile celebrities, dignitaries and guests since 2012.  From arrival, guests will be enveloped in timeless French flair, modern execution and stylish ambiance with elaborate ceiling art, rich Louis XVI inspired furnishings and bold modernist sculptures. These design elements are the unmistakable hallmarks of the new re-imagined Sofitel Auckland.

“Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour epitomises sophisticated charm for locals and well-travelled connoisseurs seeking an urban oasis with luxury boutique spaces and a discreet personalised experience,” says Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, General Manager Stephen Gould.“Like the ateliers of Paris, every space is a treasure house of artisanship. We’re proud to welcome locals and visitors to Auckland to journey through the hotel to experience its beautiful, elegant and stylish new-look.”

The hotel’s new features also include the addition of Club Millésime, an elevated range of privileges, services and rituals for guests reserving the hotel’s luxury rooms and suites. Club Millésime features a lounge retreat embellished in decorative art and is the setting for exclusive breakfasts, afternoon tea, evening drinks and canapés.

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour – Dine & Wine Options

Restaurant La Marée, helmed by Michelin starred Chef Marc de Passorio, will bring to the Auckland foodie landscape the best of New Zealand seafood and local produce with French culinary techniques. With an elite waterside location in the Viaduct, the restaurant has outdoor seating as well as a refined indoor atmosphere to suit occasions of note; be it a celebration, engagement or rendezvous.

French Press, influenced by traditional Parisian sidewalk cafés, is the perfect waterside place to sit and people watch with coffee in hand. The signature is a wide variety of sweet and savory crepes.

Sabrage celebrates the re-emergence of the classic Champagne bar, with a touch of effervescent to suit all palates, accompanied by dramatic sabrage experiences. Embracing its waterfront locale, the bar also offers bespoke seasonal cocktails, local wine list and sharing platters.

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour – Health & Wellness

The new-look Sofitel Spa offers clients a place of wellbeing with cutting edge accoutrements and the exclusive offering of French skincare line Biologique Recherche. Sofitel Spa is a luxurious escape for discerning individuals.

Accor NZ Senior Vice President Operations Gillian Millar said, “We’re delighted to reopen the refreshed, reimagined and revitalised Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour. There are few other hotels so synonymous with luxury in the city and no others which bring the essence of French flair to life.”

Want to spend the night under the stars without leaving the comforts of home? To commemorate the start of the Māori New Year, or Matariki, New Zealand is inviting the world to join them virtually to kick off the festivities with an inaugural stargazing livestream direct from one of the country’s most incredible stargazing locations – the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Matariki is a special occasion in the Māori calendar where New Zealanders celebrate the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in the night sky, it is a time of celebration and reflection.

This year on July 21, 2020 (NZT), New Zealand will share this unique and special cultural moment with the rest of the world via livestream. Viewers will be transported to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, where host and former All Black Israel Dagg will shed light on the story, myths, and legends of Matariki, as well as the significance of this moment in the year, all under the magic of the Matariki stars and the New Zealand night sky.

Aoraki Mackenzie is a gold-rated dark sky reserve and comprises of Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin of New Zealand’s South Island. In 2012, the area was formally recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve, formalising restrictions on light pollution that had been in place since the 1980s.

Steven Dixon, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Asia, Tourism New Zealand, said that for Singaporeans who might not get the chance to truly enjoy stargazing here given Singapore’s bright lights and skyscrapers, this is an opportunity for them to feel like they are right there in New Zealand, sharing this unique experience with New Zealanders and people from all around the world.

Dixon added, “It will be a chance for us all to join together around the world and look to the sky, acknowledging the year that has been, in a moment of reflection and hope and turn our thoughts to our wishes for the year ahead.”

To join the livestream, follow Tourism New Zealand’s Facebook page and tune in on Tuesday 21 July, 5.30AM New Zealand time (1.30AM Singapore time), for the stargazing experience. Photos credit: Jack Austin and Mark Russell.