How to combine Auckland city chic with Waiheke Island spirits

Fancy sampling a two-day experience that showcases some of the best of Auckland?

voco Auckland City Centre, an urban hotel in the heart of New Zealand's biggest city, recently launched its 'Sip, Stay & Sail' Package, a two-night experience that combines city style with the artisan flavours of lovely Waiheke Island.

The package includes ferry and bus transfers, world-class distillery dining, and gin tastings including the new and exclusive Bar Albert Gin, crafted in partnership with Waiheke Distilling Co.

Voco Auckland City Centre’s Sip, Stay & Sail package includes: 

# Two nights of contemporary comfort at voco Auckland City Centre.
# Return reserve ferry transfers with Fullers360 to Waiheke Island.
# Eastern Explorer Lunch Package for two at Waiheke Distilling Co., including coach/bus transport and culinary experience featuring a signature gin tasting board, choice of G&T or vodka soda welcome drink, starter, shared Napoli-style pizza, seasonal salad, and a signature cocktail.
# $50 Bar Albert voucher to enjoy two Bar Albert x Waiheke Distilling signature cocktails at the hotel's vaunted rooftop destination.
# Breakfast for two at the hotel’s Mozzarella & Co. trattoria both mornings.

The package is available Wednesday through Sunday until March 31 with a minimum two-night stay required.

The experience is priced from $599. Rooms are subject to availability and blackout dates apply.

For bookings and more information, visit auckland.vocohotels.com.

New luxury experience on Waiheke Island

New Zealand is renowned for ultra luxurious experiences and Delamore Lodge, Waiheke’s Island’s exclusive boutique luxury hideaway, has just unveiled a new one. 

The Ataahua Owners Villa, a refurbished two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, offers "complete privacy and self-contained luxury".

Ataahua (meaning ‘beautiful’) is the newest addition to Delamore Lodge’s accommodation offerings. it is located in a tranquil corner of the property’s sub-tropical grounds, away from the main lodge, with views of the Hauraki Gulf.

The villa’s two master bedrooms have super-king beds, en suites with rainforest showers, and walk-in wardrobes. 

Private decks at the front and rear of The Ataahua Owners Villa allow guests to relax in Mediterranean-influenced gardens. 

Guests can choose between self-catering in the fully equipped kitchen or putting their feet up and letting Delamore Lodge’s executive chef take care of meals. 

The chef can individually tailor the dinner to what is home grown, in season, and harvested locally. 

In addition to The Ataahua Owners Villa, an interiors and soft furnishings refurbishment has been completed across Delamore Lodge’s main lodge common areas including the guest reception, library, restaurant dining, outdoor seating, and infinity pool areas.

“It is wonderful to see our refurbished Ataahua Owners Villa come to life and offer guests more space for conviviality in the secluded privacy of their two-bedroom luxury apartment," says Adam Fleming, the manger of  Delamore Lodge. 

"Our interior design partners, Furnz Group, have done an outstanding job of not only handsomely dressing the villa but also upgrading our main lodge reception, dining, and outdoor areas with designer touches and new soft furnishings.”

The Ataahua Owners Villa is, wait for it, priced from $3,579 per night for four guests and includes amenities, including complimentary transfers to and from Matiatia Ferry Terminal on arrival and departure to Waiheke Island, welcome drinks, pre-dinner drinks and canapes, gourmet breakfast, complimentary mini-bar, pantry items, and full use of the lodge facilities.

Villa guests have full access to Delamore Lodge’s heated infinity pool, jacuzzi, sauna, spa, library, lush gardens, and olive grove. For those arriving in style, a helipad is onsite.

All-inclusive packages are available including the Waiheke Exclusive Escape, which includes an individually tailored five-course dinner in the privacy of the villa. 

For more info visit delamorelodge.com.

New Zealand wine industry pioneer dies in tractor accident

New Zealand wine industry pioneer Kim Goldwater has died after a tractor accident on his Waiheke Island property.

Goldwater, 85, died after the tractor he was driving crashed down a bank, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Goldwater Estate is one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand, established by the Goldwater family on Waiheke Island, near Auckland, in 1978. It produces mainly Bordeaux-style red wines.

Kim Goldwater and his late wife Jeanette (pictured above), developed what was the island's first commercial vineyard. It is now a winemaking hotspot and popular tourist destination. The business is now owned by Foley Wines.

Goldwater's son, Michael Goldwater, told the Herald that the tragedy was a mystery.

"It is not the steepest hill in the world but you wouldn't want to be 85 years old, going down there on a tractor, backwards, with a mower connected to it," he said.

Police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were called to the site of the accident. A police spokesperson confirmed the tragedy had been referred to the coroner.

The couple bought the Waiheke land for $30,000 in 1978 and it went on to become Goldwater Estate. Jeanette Goldwater died 2020.

Goldwater Estate wines were exported to 27 countries around the world.

Image: Waiheke Gulf News