2016 tourism nz

2016 is THE Year for New Zealand Travel

In our opinion, New Zealand is the best place in the world for independent travel.  It’s clean, safe, easy, English speaking, and spans the gamut from the temperate north to penguins and glaciers in the south. It’s the perfect mix of cosmopolitan cities, quaint small towns and truly backcountry wild adventure.

This year New Zealand represents a great value for European , and American travelers alike. The strength of their dollar creates opportunities in the land down under to have a fantastic adventure while stretching a buck. For Australians , New Zealand remains a no brainer. It’s close. Flights are easy and inexpensive, and it makes a great jumping off point for the beginning of a bigger ’round the world adventure.

Here are three reasons to visit New Zealand this year:

Outdoor Adventure

If you’re into outdoor adventures then you’re going to fall in love with the South Island. Start with the 7 Stunning Lakes of the South Island and branch out from there.

Renting a campervan and taking to the back roads and byways is, far and away, the best way to get off of the beaten path in New Zealand. You can rent, but you’ll be limited in your camping options. Buy, or arrange a private rental to maximize value and possibilities.

Learn about the Sex Lives of Glowworms in Waitomo. Yep. Really. Plus, it’s a really cool underwater cave-boat tour. Kinda spooky!

Explore the Franz Joseph Glacier on the South Island… and the Fox Glacier too!

On the south island you don’t want to miss Queenstown . This is the place to luge down the mountain, bungee jump off of the original bridge, jet boat, screaming fast, down the river, or take a slow chug across the lake in a steamboat to visit a working sheep farm. It’s touristy, but it’s great. Be sure to have a Ferg Burger.

Christchurch is a no brainer. While it’s true that it’s not what it was before the big quakes and reconstruction is taking longer than anyone anticipated, it’s still a fantastic place to spend a few days. Check out the phoenix rising from the downtown ashes in the form of the container mall and the weekly farmer’s market.

Wellington is the country’s capital, and my favourite city of them all. Be sure to visit Te Papa. It’s a serious contender for the best museum I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been to most of the world’s biggest. Tour the Parliament, it’s cooler than it sounds. Hang out in the botanical gardens and marvel at the ferns that exist nowhere else in the world.

Auckland is the place to be if you’re looking for cosmopolitan in New Zealand. It’s the big city on the North Island. The greatest concentration of population in the country, and the place you’ll find museums, tourist attractions, and the embassies of major countries. Spend some time checking out the yachts in the harbour and sampling seafood along the wharf.

New Zealand is becoming a major player in the wine world. Check out the 9 World Class Wine Regions of the island nation and sample some of their best.

The history of the first people of New Zealand, the Maori , is fascinating and an integral part of understanding the culture of the islands. Be sure to spend some time learning about the origins and traditions of the Maori, beyond Kia Ora.

Begin with the ABCs of Traveling in New Zealand and start planning for the adventure of a lifetime in 2016!

Credit: Chris Howard

Quarterly Tourism Report

March 07, 2019

This article was produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The content you find below is exclusive to the Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre.

Document overview

The commentary below presents the national context for tourism in the year ending December 2018 (and for the December 2018 quarter where available). The main tourism measures are showing positive growth across the New Zealand tourism industry, supported by the continued increase in holidaymakers, growth in visitors from the wider Asia region, as well as relatively favourable exchange rates. Key findings are below:

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International visitor spending continues to grow, other asia drives the spend growth.

• Exchange rates were likely to have boosted international spend

Seasonally adjusted spend was up over the quarter

Holidaymakers continue to be the main source of growth in visitors to new zealand, a weaker december for domestic tourism has affected the regions.

• Mixed signals for Chinese New Year 2019

Section 1 - National

Spending by international visitors in New Zealand grew six per cent to $11.2 billion for the year ending December 2018. This equated to an overall increase of $599 million over the year (although the growth was not statistically significant).

Over the same period, the number of international visitors increased by three per cent. Spend grew faster than visitor numbers, leading to an increase of three per cent for average spend per visitor. Average international visitor spend over the year was $3,300 per visitor.

Much of the growth in overall international visitor expenditure over the last year has been driven by “other” countries (i.e. not the largest six markets of Australia, China, US, UK, Japan and Germany). These countries are responsible for a large proportion of the increase in growth in expenditure, with visitor spending from these countries growing by 15.9 per cent over 2018.

While the International Visitor Survey cannot provide an accurate breakdown of “other” countries, visitor arrivals data suggests that much of that visitor growth is from “Other Asia” countries (Asia excluding China and Japan). The following graph shows visitor numbers for selected Asian markets over the last year.

As air capacity increases to places such as China, there is a flow-on effect on nearby countries. The Philippines increased 20.4 per cent over the year to 28,800 visitors; Thailand grew 13.9 per cent to 31,400 visitors; and Vietnam increased 22.4 per cent to 9,500 visitors.

Exchange rates continue to support international spend

The fall in exchange rates over 2018 is a main driver of the overall growth in international visitor spend. The New Zealand dollar fell against many of our major tourism markets over the year, which increased the purchasing power of visitors, allowing them to spend more in New Zealand dollars for the same amount of their home currency. Exchange rates have since risen, but overall remain relatively favourable.

The following graph shows that the Trade Weighted Index (TWI). The TWI is an index showing the value of the New Zealand dollar in relation to our major trading partners.

After adjusting for seasonal impacts, there was a rise in total international visitor spending of around six per cent for the December 2018 quarter, up from the drop off last quarter. This rise shows that spend in the December quarter was higher than might have been expected given usual seasonal patterns.

From the year ended December 2017 to the year ended December 2018, the number of visitors to New Zealand grew by 134,000. Of these visitors, half (or 68,000) were holidaymakers, while 17 per cent (or 33,600) were visiting friends or relatives. This implies that there was the growth in approximately 44,000 visitors for other travel purposes, such as education and working holiday visas.

Holidaymakers to New Zealand made up around 52 per cent of all international arrivals in the year ended December 2018, yet made up approximately 64 per cent of all spending. In contrast, people visiting friends and relatives made up 29 per cent of all arrivals, yet made up just 20 per cent of all spend.

Holidaymakers spent on average $3,900 per person in the year ended December 2018, while people visiting friends and relatives spent on average $2,400. Thus, we can see a notable gulf between visitor markets. People visiting friends and relatives tend to spend less when they visit, especially on accommodation, as they often have friends or family to stay with. They also tend to stay for shorter periods and are more likely to be Australians, or New Zealanders residing in Australia.

Regional tourism spend over the year remained solid, with all but two regions experiencing growth in the 2018 calendar year, according to the latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates.

Auckland, which makes up a very large proportion of overall tourism spend in New Zealand (29%) has shown no growth over the year, while West Coast, historically one of the big movers in tourism over the last year is showing very little over 2018.

These weaker growth patterns are driven by a much poorer-than-average December, and this is largely across the board with nine of 16 regions showing falls compared with the month of December in the previous year- with West Coast showing the largest fall.

Lower domestic tourism spending appears to be driving the fall in growth. Overall, 11 of 16 regions were down compared with the same month a year ago, and the West Coast was particularly affected with a 26 per cent fall in domestic expenditure for December.

You can explore expenditure in the regions using the MRTE insights viewer .

Chinese New Year 2019

There has been a lot of discussion about the impact of Chinese New Year this year, amid concerns around lower Chinese visitor numbers. While there were fewer Chinese arrivals over October, November and December 2018 when compared to 2017 these numbers were higher when compared to 2016.

Despite the falls in recent months, we are still seeing fairly solid growth in Chinese visitor spend over the year. The IVS showed Chinese spending rose 14 per cent in the year ended December 2018 (though not statistically significant), reaching $1.68b.

The latest provisional visitor arrival statistics show that visitor numbers are similar to previous years.

However, because the period of Chinese New Year shifts every year, it’s often difficult to understand whether the season is higher or lower than previous seasons. Chinese New Year fell in the week ending 10 February this year, compared with 18 February in 2018 and 29 January in 2017. So the expectation would be an earlier build-up of Chinese arrivals this year, by around a week – if we are to see similar patterns to previous years.

If we normalise the data, by expressing it in days to Chinese New Year, then a pattern can be identified. The graph below suggests that, given current data, Chinese New Year 2019 visitor numbers are behind what was seen last year, but could be considered similar or slightly better than two years ago.

Given the current anecdotal evidence of fewer Chinese visitors, it seems unlikely that we’ll meet the level of last year, but it’s certainly possible at this moment that we could do as well as the 2017 season.

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Budget 2016: Tourism sector gets further boost

The Government will invest an additional $20 million over four years to further support tourism across New Zealand, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced today.

“ This funding builds on the wide range of Government support already in place to assist the sector to provide high-quality experiences that attract high-value visitors all year round,” Mr Key says.

“The new funding, which is in addition to the over $130 million a year the Government currently spends, aims to help all regions realise their tourism potential and reap the economic benefits that it brings.”

The $20 million over four years will go towards:

• A new Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Fund to help communities with small infrastructure projects that enhance visitor experiences and help them cope with growing numbers of tourists and independent travellers, such as Freedom Campers. ($12 million over four years).
• Additional funding for Tourism New Zealand to target key growth markets ($8 million over four years).

“We recognise that some of our smaller communities need extra facilities to deal with the increase in tourist numbers, and in particular manage Freedom Campers,” says Mr Key.  “Budget 2016 will include a new $12 million fund to help them fund some of their smaller infrastructure needs.

“The Budget also includes an extra $8 million over four years for Tourism New Zealand to target key growth markets such as India and the eastern seaboard of the United States which have huge potential.

“Our tourism industry is in good heart. More visitors are coming, staying longer and spending more. These new initiatives will help grow our tourism industry even further and all ensure more regions and New Zealanders are benefiting.”

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• Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by country of origin

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Note: Stats NZ and licensed by Stats NZ for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. International visitors are defined by the source as overseas residents arriving in New Zealand for a stay of less than 12 months. Values have been rounded. Only the top 20 countries are represented.

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Tourism New Zealand is a Crown entity governed by a board. Our executive team works with our global whānau to deliver on our purpose and objectives.

Our Role & Purpose | Tourism New Zealand

By 100% Pure New Zealand

Board      Executive      Media

Paul Brock, Chair

Paul has a strong background in governance, management, growth business development, brand development and marketing. His extensive background in the financial services industry has also included Kiwibank Co-Founder and then Chief Executive along with senior management positions with Westpac and Trust Bank.

Paul is currently Chair of the New Zealand Story Group, Foley Wines and the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery Advisory Panel. He is also Chair of Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand, a director of Southern Sky Dairies and a Council Member of Massey University. He started as the Tourism New Zealand Board Chair on 1 July 2023.

Kauahi Ngapora, Deputy Chair

Ngāi Tahu (Ngāti Kurī of Kaikōura), Waikato-Tainui (Ngāti Hauā/Ngāti Māhanga)

Kauahi is Chief Operations Officer of Whale Watch Kaikōura Ltd has 31-years’ experience across a range of roles focused on business, customer experience, tourism & travel, operations, governance, Māori and maritime.

He is currently a Director of Whale Watch Australia Pty Ltd and member of the Kaikōura Marine Guardians. He was the founding Chair of Destination Kaikōura, a past Director of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, and panel member on the Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

In 2018 he was privileged to be awarded the Outstanding Māori Business Leader Award at the University of Auckland’s Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards. Kauahi was appointed to the board in September 2018 and deputy chair in October 2022.

Colleen Neville

Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui

Colleen is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in diverse sectors including tourism, forestry, Agribusiness, property, and health services. 

Recent roles have included Chief Executive Officer of Te Arawa Group Holdings Ltd which had complemented her expertise in Māori post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs), Māori incorporations and Māori land trusts.

Her governance experience includes Scion (NZ Forest Research Institute Limited), Poutama Trust (business development services to Māori), Te Ohu Kaimoana (independent audit and risk member and director of portfolio management services), Te Kakano Whakatipu Ltd (Forestry), Te Arawa Agribusiness Ltd, Te Arawa Tourism Ltd, Matai Pacific Iwi Collective (Kiwifruit) and Waikato Tainui (Audit & Risk member).

Jan was previously Chair of Skyline Enterprises and board member of the Jumping New Zealand, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Destination Queenstown.

She was also General Manager of Millbrook Resort, Sky City Hotel & Convention Centre, and Millennium Queenstown. Jan was appointed to the New Zealand Tourism Board in June 2017.

Steve Chadwick QSO

Steve is a former Member of Parliament for Rotorua and from 2013 to 2022, the Mayor of Rotorua. As Mayor of Rotorua Lakes Council, Steve was a strong influence on Rotorua Lakes Council’s new way of doing business through the Rotorua 2030 Vision.

Under her leadership the council established a meaningful and ground breaking partnership with Te Arawa and secured significant partnership investment to enable iconic place-making projects. Steve’s career in Central Government began in 1999 and spanned twelve years, including three years as a List MP.

During this time, she held the portfolios of Associate Minister of Health, Minister of Conservation and Minister of Women’s Affairs. As Minister of Conservation, Steve advocated for the opening up of the Conservation Estate – believing that access, without leaving a footprint should be the ultimate goal. Her proudest achievements include sponsoring the Smoke free Environments Act and securing funding ($72 million) for the clean-up of Rotorua lakes.

In recent years, in addition to her mayoral responsibilities, Steve has chaired the Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa since its inception in 2018, was Co-Chair of the New Zealand Tourism Futures Taskforce from June 2020 to early 2021, and since 2018 has been on the Board of the Responsible Camping Working Group.

Jacqui Walshe

Jacqui is a dual New Zealand and Australian citizen and the long-term leader of The Walshe Group. The Walshe Group has provided dedicated airline and destination representation services to some of the world’s leading travel brands for over 40 years in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, an MBA and is a qualified member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jacqui is a member of Chief Executive Women Australia and Global Women NZ. She has had over 20 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director in the travel and tourism, financial services and Not-For-Profit (aboriginal and youth services) sectors.

Jacqui is the former Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Audit & Finance committee, of the Australian Tourism Export Council; served as a member of the Tourism Restart Taskforce in Australia, commenced in response to Covid-19 and international border closures; and was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment in Australian Federal Parliament (2020-2022) as tourism industry representative.

In 2022, Jacqui was awarded the Captain Trevor Haworth Outstanding Contribution by an individual to the Australian Tourism Export Industry.

Amanda Butler

Amanda is a commercial executive who has extensive experience within the FMCG sector across Australia and New Zealand. These have included Director, Global CEO and General Manager roles within global bluechip multinationals, private enterprise and healthcare.

Amanda also holds governance positions in various sectors including Health and Conservation with sub-committee responsibilities in IT/Cyber and HR/Remuneration. Amanda is experienced across ANZ in governance and management, with a particular focus on organisation transformation, brand growth and marketing communications. Amanda is an active member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Company Directors. Amanda was appointed to the board in August 2022.

Leah McDonald

Leah is the board secretariat. Email [email protected] to get in touch with any Tourism New Zealand board member.

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René de Monchy, Chief Executive

René de Monchy joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2015 bringing 20 years' global experience in consumer-led businesses, including local and international marketing roles for Fonterra and Heineken and Asia Pacific Breweries in Singapore.

René was appointed Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand in April 2021.

Prior to this, he was Tourism New Zealand's Director Commercial. In this role, René led a team across 15 offices in 14 countries responsible for identifying key markets and audiences for travel to New Zealand. René also led the development of Tourism New Zealand's aviation strategy to guide partnerships with international airlines.

René is passionate about the tourism sector and active in tourism industry engagement, undertaking regular speaking engagements and panel discussions.

He is currently a member of five boards or panels:

• Tourism Industry Aotearoa
• New Zealand Screen Production Grant Significant Economic Benefits Verification Panel
• New Zealand Story Board
• New Zealand China Council
• Qualmark New Zealand Limited.

Bjoern Spreitzer, General Manager New Zealand & Business Events

Bjoern has been with Tourism New Zealand for the past 14 years, currently as recently as General Manager New Zealand & Business Events.

Prior to this he was General Manager Domestic, Global Manager Planning and Partnerships, and General Manager Americas & Western Europe.

In his current role, he's responsible for domestic marketing activity, Business Events, Qualmark and industry partnerships.

Angela Blair, General Manager International

Angela joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2022. Angela is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years’ global experience across business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing. 

Working for organisations such as Restaurant Brands, Vodafone and APN, where she developed creative marketing programmes with a commercial focus.

Prior to joining Tourism New Zealand, Angela was a member of Restaurants Brands New Zealand Executive team.

In her current role she is responsible for the delivery of marketing activity in offshore markets and aviation partnerships.

Brendan Downey-Parish, General Manager Insights, Performance & Technology

Brendan joined Tourism New Zealand in January 2016, and in 2022 was appointed to the role of General Manager Insights, Performance and Technology.

He has significant marketing and innovation expertise across the beverage, food, and consumer goods sectors in New Zealand and internationally, including seven years with Fonterra in the Middle East.

Brendan's currently responsible for insights, digital analytics, performance analytics, business planning, platform development and delivery.

Kathryn Cunningham, General Manager Marketing

Kathryn joined Tourism New Zealand in July 2023 and her responsibilities include global brand strategy, marketing content, trade, social and digital experience, marketing planning and global partnerships.

Kathryn comes from a background of brand strategy, identity and creative. She has worked as an agency partner across multiple Aotearoa New Zealand and global brands including Air New Zealand, EVT Group Rockit Global and Tiaki Care for New Zealand.

Natalie Haines, General Manager, People & Corporate Affairs

Natalie brings more than 16 years of people and culture experience to Tourism New Zealand, following senior HR roles at Oranga Tamariki and Contact Energy.

Responsible for leading our people, government relations and corporate communications functions, she has a strong background in organisational change, as well as capability and culture development.

Karl Burrows, General Manager – Pou Ārahi Māori 

Karl joined Tourism New Zealand in November 2022. Karl is a descendant of iwi of Taranaki and Whanganui. Karl founded and was the Managing Director of Haka Works, an international business sharing Māori knowledge on team culture and leadership, and Manaia, a London based kapa haka company. 

Prior to this, Karl worked as a lawyer in New Zealand and London.  The General Manager Pou Ārahi Māori role is responsible for leading Tourism New Zealand’s rautaki Māori and sustainability approach which includes guiding organisational cultural capability and confidence. 

Duane Trembath, Chief Financial Controller

Duane joined Tourism New Zealand in January 2023. Duane (Whakatōhea te iwi) is an experienced leader, having worked for TVNZ and marketing led international organisations such as Estée Lauder Companies and L’Oréal. 

The Chief Financial Officer role is responsible for ensuring best use of funds, financial stability and compliance.

Leah McDonald, Executive Assistant to Chief Executive

Leah joined Tourism New Zealand in 2008 and in 2012 was appointed to the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and Board Secretariat.

Before joining us, Leah lived in Florida, London and Sydney. She has supported senior executives across various sectors, including Australia’s leading medical defence organisation as well as the largest housing association in the United Kingdom.

If you're a New Zealand-based journalist with a media query, please contact:

• Candice Johanson, Communications Manager 021 220 8031 or email [email protected]
• Jess Harkins McCann, Senior Communications Advisor 021 631 845 or email [email protected]
• Chelsea Cormack-Wright, Senior Communications Advisor 021 221 4627 or email [email protected]

Got an Official Information Act request? Please email:

• [email protected]

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Essentially, game keepers and biologists saw New Zealand as a blank canvas on which to create a wild game masterpiece, so they did. Without natural predators nor severe winters to slow the population growth of the country’s new cast of horned and antlered creatures populations of many of the introduced species exploded. So prolific were the red deer, for instance, that a few decades ago game managers were forced to conduct extensive culling operations to bring the deer numbers back to levels the habitat could support.

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John Scurr poses with a pair of pukeko or swamphens, one of several indigenous game birds found in ... [+] New Zealand.

Today, these same red deer have become a popular draw for hunters from across the world—especially Americans. Thousands of U.S. hunters travel to New Zealand annually to partake in big game hunting.

“Most hunters know of New Zealand as the home of the world’s biggest stags,” says John Scurr , a Kiwi native and veteran hunting operator who specializes in arranging custom hunting and fishing experiences for all manner of the nation’s fish and game. “But we have many game species that are thriving here on both the North and South islands.”

Wine tours are just one of many diversions available to visiting sportsmen.

For Scurr, however, it’s about customizing diverse New Zealand tour packages that allow visiting hunters and anglers to immerse themselves in a wide range of attractions and activities that complement rod and gun adventures.

“New Zealand is a his and her (and family) destination, so if a hunter wants to bring a non-hunting spouse or friend here,” says Scurr, “we can arrange a wide assortment of activities from helicopter junkets to volcanos and glaciers, lake excursions, wine tours, glacier climbing, jet boating, hiking and biking, bungy jumping, parasailing, or drives through the countryside to explore any number of our inviting communities.”

New Zealand's wealth of breathtaking scenery is reason enough to visit.

Sportsmen’s dollars, then, are helping support the entire tourism economy, the nation’s second largest industry behind agriculture. In addition, hunting provides the financial incentive to keep lands wild, supporting myriad non-game species that depend on the same cover as deer and other game.

“Rather than sitting in a lodge for a week and then returning home,” says Scurr, “many of our sporting clients want to experience more of New Zealand before they go. And most of our hunting areas are conveniently located near other great attractions.”

The bustling and beautiful town of Wanaka with a population of some 12,000 is located on the shores of stunning Lake Wanaka, a 74-square-mile body of water, and is home base for Scurr’s South Island adventures.

Scurr poses with accomplished Oklahoma hunter Suzie Brewster and her giant stag.

“We put some of our hunters up in well-appointed lakeside condos,” he says, “and we dine in restaurants that are all within easy walking distance. And our hunting areas are located just a ten-minute drive from town. This has been a very popular package for us as non-hunting spouses can enjoy a wide range of amenities offered in Wanaka (spas, shops, restaurants, tours, art, and cultural opportunities) and then come together with their husbands after the hunt to share an evening on the town.”

Nearly as famous as its stag hunting, New Zealand is a celebrated fly-fishing destination for outsized rainbow and brown trout. The plethora of gin-clear rivers and lakes along with a handful of famous lodges, put the country high on most trout anglers’ must-visit list.

The inviting and bustling community of Wanaka is home base for Scurr's South Island offerings.

Adding some bird hunting to the menu is a simple proposition as well, for New Zealand has a mix of endemic and introduced game bird species including the highly prized (and striking) paradise duck.

For hunters who don’t want the hassle of flying with their own firearms, Scurr has a wide assortment of rifles and shotguns for rent. “We find that most hunters choose to use our guns because it saves a lot of headaches dealing with gun licensing and customs. But if a hunter would rather bring his favorite rifle, we’ll assist with the permit process as well.”

For Scurr, sharing the best of New Zealand is his life's passion.

For Scurr, it’s about sharing the wealth of sporting and recreational opportunities that his native New Zealand has to offer. “We have a unique landscape and with that comes special opportunities for visiting sportsmen and others,” he says. “And when someone books with us we want them to go home and share the experience with their friends as they plan their next adventure to New Zealand.”

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Queenstown Anzac ceremony disrupted by Shotover Jet, owners apologise

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Shotover Jet and owners Ngāi Tahu Tourism have apologised after their boats disrupted an Anzac service at Queenstown’s Edith Cavell bridge on Thursday.

As the Last Post played to locals gathered on the bridge on Anzac Day yesterday morning, tourist jet boats continued to scream along the Central Otago river below.

Several disgruntled residents who attended the ceremony took to social media to reprimand Shotover Jet for not ceasing operations.

It led to the internationally-renowned tourism company to issue an immediate apology.

“We apologise unreservedly for the disturbance our boats created during today’s Anzac ceremony on the Edith Cavell Bridge,” said Donald Boyer, business manager – Tumu Pākihi, Shotover Jet.

“We are investigating our processes as we believe we should have done better.

“We are deeply disappointed at what has occurred and will ensure we halt operations for future Anzac ceremonies.

“I can confirm our staff were approached about a collection box and said we were happy to have one on our premises.”

Queenstown RSA has been approached for comment.

Meanwhile, the Anzac spirit of co-operation and camaraderie was tapped into at Gallipoli this year to allow the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent to honour those who fought there during the ill-fated 1915 campaign.

The Chunuk Bair service on Thursday (Türkiye time) included all the usual ceremonial elements, thanks to a little bit of help from the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The bulk of the 40-strong New Zealand contingent arrived in Türkiye last week, but because of weather disruptions in Dubai it wasn’t until Tuesday that most of their checked luggage caught up with them.

Crucially, the missing luggage items contained many service dress uniforms and most of the band’s instruments .

Uniform items were shared around and resized to allow the five-personnel catafalque guard to have the appropriate uniform needed to perform their duties.

On Thursday morning, four members of the ADF band rushed from their Lone Pine service to play at Chunuk Bair.

Earlier, they loaned a cornet to Able Musician Orson Paine so he could play the Last Post at both the dawn service at the Anzac Commemorative Site and the Chunuk Bair service later that morning.

The commemoration services went off smoothly in ideal weather conditions despite the earlier uncertainty about whether the NZDF personnel would be able to take part at all, and the limited opportunity for a full dress rehearsal.

“I am immensely proud of the work-around the contingent came up with to ensure we could fully support the commemorations,” said contingent commander Major Peter Bowyer.

“We were always fully committed to making the commemorations as meaningful as possible for everyone attending. Gallipoli has such significance to generations of New Zealanders, and Chunuk Bair was a place where we as a young nation lost so grievously.”

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