AUSAE has the great pleasure to announce Exhibition Hire Services as their new annual partner in New Zealand. When you host a conference, they are your one stop Nationwide New Zealand Exhibition Supplier.

From Roadshows, Conferences, Product Launches to Large Exhibitions they have the expertise & knowledge to offer solutions to all aspects of your event.

They offer a diverse range of products nationwide & have built a reputation on providing display solutions to all aspects of the event industry. Products include floor plan / stand design, partitions, carpet, furniture, signage, marquees and general event hire. We are delighted to have Matt and his team on board. 

Contact Matt Reilly matt@exhibitionhire.co.nz  09 579 9884 or 021 843 178

NZVA CEO Julie Hood was invited to speak at a recent networking lunch organised by the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE). The event focused on strategic planning for membership growth.

AuSAE is a professional society whose purpose is to equip leaders working in not-for-profit organisations with the information, tools and networks they need to better achieve the vision of their organisations; essentially it is the association for associations.

A total of 55 organisations attended collectively representing a broad range of not-for-profits (small to large).

The focus of Julie’s speech was on the future of the NZVA – our strategic goals, how we measure our success, what is important to our members as gleamed from surveys, and how we transform these findings into actions.

Julie outlined the results of NZVA’s participation in an Australasian membership satisfaction survey which highlighted that the top priorities for our members are to be kept informed on the latest developments impacting the profession, accessing quality (affordable) professional development, and networking opportunities. NZVA rated most highly for its delivery of up to date information to members and did better than many other associations in its communications and delivery of events. Julie emphasised however that associations need to continually adapt to meet the changing expectations of their members – including how information is delivered – and that they need to be able to respond and change quickly.

Julie said the NZVA is in a strong position following an internal review of its systems to make it more streamlined and efficient, and that there is support from staff and members for the NZVA to deliver on its 2020 strategy. She said the NZVA’s Marketing the Profession project was focusing on the profession’s competitive advantages to achieve a viable and sustainable profession into the future.

Julie’s speech was so well received by attendees that a coffee morning has been organised for Julie to answer more in-depth questions from AuSAE members about the detail of NZVA’s work to boost membership.

Julie did note this may mean that at least one of the NZVA’s Strategic Key Performance Indicators is on the way to being achieved – to be the envy of all other Associations (in the world!). “Veterinarians don’t do things by halves”, Julie said, and this is a very good example! 

You can read Julie’s speech here…

Sourced from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141031062222-59457390-red-cross-wins-ahri-indigenous-employment-award

By Robert Tickner
CEO at Australian Red Cross

Last night Australian Red Cross was announced joint winner of the Indigenous Employment Award in the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) Inclusion and Diversity Awards.

Our commitment to Indigenous employment has produced a highly diverse workforce of around 140 talented and professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, who know and understand their communities. This currently represents around 5.2 per cent of our total staff.

Our Targeted Approach strategy, which was awarded last night, aims to recruit more Indigenous people to reach 6 per cent by 2015.

“I’m extremely proud that we have been recognised for our innovative approaches to recruiting, engaging and retaining a strong team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff,” said Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner.

“A deep commitment to Indigenous employment exists at every level of our organisation, from the national board and leadership team through to human resources, our service teams and the broader staff and membership.

“Red Cross is uniquely positioned to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build community-led solutions, and our Indigenous staff play a key role in our community development approach.

“It’s a win-win for all involved. I congratulate everyone involved with Red Cross who contributes to our successful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” said Robert Tickner.



Chris Steinfort (pictured left) is Red Cross’ Director, Human Resources. He believes that one of the best ways to build long-term partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is to have a large number of Indigenous people working at Red Cross, to build organisational capabilities that will better position Red Cross to support Indigenous people in their communities.

“It’s about making an inclusive workplace. If there aren’t many Aboriginal people working here, it doesn’t seem like such a culturally safe space for other Aboriginal people.

“To be recognised for the work Red Cross has collectively implemented regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment is a credit to everyone involved. It’s a great achievement to win the award in such a competitive field of finalists,” said Chris Steinfort.

Visit our website to learn more about how Red Cross is working together as partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), the professional association of social workers is celebrating 50 years of representing Social Workers in Aotearoa by hosting an Anniversary Event in Christchurch on November 28th and 29th 2014.

This two day event will provide the opportunity to showcase contemporary innovative practice as well as celebrate ANZASW history, contributions and achievements. It will also allow ANZASW the opportunity to look back, reflect and celebrate achievements, a time to pause and consider where we have been, where we are now and to look ahead to the future.

Since its formation the Association has worked to achieve improvement of social work practice standards and advancement of education qualifications to ensure protection of the public and the recipients of social work services. When Social Workers intervene in people’s lives, those people have the right to know they will be working with skilled and respectful professionals. Social Work professionalism is underpinned by a Code of Ethics, Competency Standards and Standards of Practice which include the Associations Bi-Cultural Code of Practice.

Fifty years ago social work moved from directing its efforts to aiding the sick, hungry, orphaned and poor to dealing with more complicated problems of our society. Social Workers have taken on a wider and more demanding range of activities and, linked as it is to the International Federation of Social Workers the ANZASW is able to assist social workers to cope with the many demands placed on the profession. Together with the people they work with, social workers see and experience how policies meet (or fail to meet) their needs. We see the people in their social environment and we advocate for social change as well as working with people who want to make personal changes.

If you would like more information about ANZASW or the Anniversary Event in November please email c50@anzasw.org.nz or visit our website http://anzasw.org.nz/about/topics/show/455-c50-anniversary

ENDS

Sourced from: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1410/S00163/50-years-of-aotearoa-nz-association-of-social-workers.htm

Over the past year New Zealand has played host to everyone from geophysists to private detectives, doctors to journalists, thanks to the support of Tourism New Zealand’s (TNZ) business events programme.

With the launch of a new Business Events advocates programme New Zealand is set to see even more of these valuable delegations visiting our shores.

The programme was announced last night at the inaugural New Zealand Business Events Awards dinner, held by TNZ and partners Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) and Air New Zealand.

The dinner celebrated the success New Zealand has had in the Business Events sector and acknowledged the contribution of key industry and sector leaders.

Event attendees have won a combined 29 international events representing an estimated 13,500 delegates and injecting approximately NZD$41 million into the New Zealand economy.

TNZ’s International Business Events Manager, Bjoern Spreitzer says, “It’s great to see New Zealand successfully bidding for and winning international association conventions.

“Much of this comes down to the influential sector leaders who are putting their hands up to champion their field of expertise to attract key conventions to our shores.

“The advocate programme is about creating lasting relationships with these individuals so that they can continue to bid for international conferences and encourage their colleagues to do so as well,” says Bjoern.

TNZ, in partnership with ACB, has developed an advocate programme that will identify and engage thought leaders in their field, as champions for business events.

Advocate programmes are employed broadly by many countries and large cities in the international business events sector.

The programme will see regional programmes being developed throughout the country, with the ACB the first out of the gate, while Tourism New Zealand will manage the overarching national strategy.

ACB Manager Anna Hayward says the Auckland Advocate Programme - which will be launched in March 2015 - is critical for Auckland and forms part of ACB’s overall strategy to encourage more business events to the region.

“The ACB team has worked with some incredibly passionate individuals over the years and is excited to harness their enthusiasm and work with them to lift Auckland’s profile on the world stage of international conferencing.

“The Auckland Advocate Programme will use the expertise and support of the ACB and TNZ team to assist sector leaders to attract and deliver world class conferences,” says Anna.

Air New Zealand Chief Commercial and Sales Officer Cam Wallace also welcomes the announcement of the advocate programme.

“The business events market is an important means of driving visitor arrivals to New Zealand over the shoulder season.”

“This initiative is a great addition to work already being done by the tourism industry. Earlier this year, Air New Zealand launched a Conference Support Programme which aims to grow the number of conference bids won for New Zealand by working in partnership with conference organisers,” says Cam.

TNZ has significantly increased its efforts in the Business Events sector and in the last financial year has bid for 39 international events and has secured seven. The total economic value of these wins to New Zealand is NZD$15.6 million.

Read more about Tourism New Zealand’s work to grow the value of Business Events to New Zealand here.

ENDS
Contact Georgina Maguire, Communications Advisor, Tourism New Zealand
georgina.maguire@tnz.govt.nz; phone +64 21 478 659

Contact Mark Wardle, Destination Communications Executive, ATEED
mark.wardle@aucklandnz.com; phone +64 21 534 494

WHO’S SPONSORING WHO
‘Who’s Sponsoring Who’ is a fast-paced, interactive presentation on sponsorship and the first event in a series of breakfasts for business professionals presented by ICE Australia in association with Strategic Membership Solutions (SMS) and the Sofitel.

Julian Moore is our guest speaker, Australasia’s foremost not for profit sponsorship practitioner focusing on associations and charities. He specialises in training, motivating and up-skilling boards and staff to improve sponsorship performance, with twitter address @SponsorshipGuru he has plenty to say and many followers.

Get a head start on your sponsorship planning for 2015 by learning who’s sponsoring, who’s not and where the opportunities are for you to generate additional sponsorship dollars. The breakfast series is open to association professionals. Each attendee will have the chance to develop business connections and engage in discussions sharing tips and knowledge on ways to grow your sponsorship income.

• Where: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, 25 Collins Street Melbourne
• When: Tuesday 18 November 2014
• Time: 7.15am-8.45am
• Cost: 1 x Complimentary Ticket per Association
• Additional Tickets: $89.00

https://www2.iceaustralia.com/ei/getdemo.ei?id=260&s=_KAW0U721U

Future events will be held quarterly focusing on issues such as education, marketing and branding, increasing delegate numbers, saving money, enhancing credibility, creating alliances and increasing visibility to assist in taking your conference to the next level.

For more information
ICE Australia
Sarah Langley
T: (08) 8423 4481
E: sarah@iceaustralia.com
www.iceaustralia.com

ICE AUSTRALIA
We are a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) specialising in total conference management
with staffed offices in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. With a national
presence and employing some of the most experienced and dedicated conference management
staff ICE is large enough to manage the most complex conference while still priding ourselves
on providing boutique tailored services.

Here’s a taste of what we will offer your next conference or event;
• Creativity & Innovation
• Collaborative Network
• Rewarding Partnership
• Demonstrated Experience
• Robust Infrastructure
• Operational Excellence

Head Office
183 Albion Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
Ph: 02 9368 1200
Email: info@iceaustralia.com
www.iceaustralia.com


SMS
Strategic Membership Solutions (SMS) is an Australian owned and operated company providing
high quality, practical and comprehensive advice, support and training on topics relating to
turnarounds, sponsorship and membership.
The client base of SMS is predominately service clients from Australia and New Zealand,
although from time to time SMS undertakes activities in North America and the United
Kingdom.

SMS is run by Belinda Moore (formerly Belinda Busoli) and Julian Moore who each have wealth
of experience in the Australasian and European nonprofit sectors.
Office: Suite 2.01, 433 Logan Road, Stones Corner QLD 4120
Ph: 1300 852 303 (inside Australia)
Email: info@smsonline.net.au
www.smsonline.net.au

NFP Professionals to unite in Rotorua for 2014 AuSAE Leaders Symposium

 

The complex world of not-for-profit leadership will be the key topic of discussion at the premier event for Australian sector leaders in Rotorua next month. Will you be there?

Rotorua is soon to welcome leaders working in associations, charities and other not-for-profits for the 3rd annual Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) Leadership Symposium on October 29-30.

Under the 2014 theme “Game On: Leadership in Motion”, the Symposium will bring together the nation’s most  knowledgeable executives and practitioners who will share insights, tools and motivation to inspire delegates to achieve their goals and advance New Zealand not-for-profit organisations.

“The NFP sector is continually in motion. The complexity of the environment means there is a constant need for up-to-date information and strong peer to peer networks. The Annual AuSAE Leadership Symposium offers senior executives the opportunity to discover and grow both”. Tony Steven, AuSAE President.

The Symposium will include over 10 educational sessions on topics such as Advocacy, Leadership practices, Board performance, Membership and organisational sustainability.

The unique event format, that includes a strong focus on networking, provides a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with new colleagues from across the country who share your interests, concerns, and on-the-job challenges.

“The annual AuSAE Leadership Symposium is a great event where you can update yourself on current business trends. It is also a tremendous opportunity to network with like-minded association executives”. Steve Williams, Manager, Business Services, New Zealand School Trustees Association

 

The Australasian Society of Association Executives is the peak professional society representing a community of over 10,000 individual leaders working for not-for-profit organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand. AuSAE’s purpose is to equip those dedicated and passionate leaders with the information and networks they need to better achieve the vision of their organisation. Incorporated in Australia as a company limited by guarantee, AuSAE is the sole member-owned professional body of its kind. As such, it is uniquely placed to speak on behalf of the association sector in Australasia.  

Register today to join other not-for-profit executives looking forward to attending the 2014 AuSAE Leadership Symposium in Rotorua, October 29-30.

To find out more call AuSAE’s New Zealand General Manager on 027 249 8677 or email brett@ausae.org.au today.

To view the full Symposium program and register online, please visit http://www.ausae.org.au/leadershipsymposiumnz

After reading the article ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ in INsite, it is evident that those outside the sector are not conversant with the enormity of the situation that the aged care sector has been battling for decades – this is the chronic underfunding that was identified in the Grant Thornton report, Aged Residential Care Service Review, 2010. A much earlier report by Price Waterhouse Cooper identified the level of underfunding at 32 per cent.

Despite continued underfunding, the Ministry of Health and the DHBs continue to amend the contract and more expenses are expected to be absorbed by the sector at a time when delayed entry means that the level of acuity is rising steadily. The cost is to the provider who must continue to expend more income to provide more incontinence products, greater levels of transportation, more ambulance costs, more dressings – many of which are extremely expensive for complex wounds – more doctors’ visits, a new and compulsory assessment system (interRAI), more costs for KiwiSaver, higher costs for certification and other compliance requirements. Costs have escalated so much without a consequent, proper increase to funding that many of the smaller stand-alone aged care facilities are forced either to close down, or if they are able, to convert to hospital or dementia facilities. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some facilities do not always accept residents who are deemed to be high-cost as it is not viable for a facility to continue to pay for such costs in view of the low level of funding.

All this flies in the face of the Grant Thornton report that found that there is a need for more, not fewer, facilities with the over-65 population increasing by 84 per cent by 2016. The number of facilities need to increase in this period by between 78 and 110 per cent to accommodate this increasing number of aged people. The return on investment is, however, too low to support an increase in building more capacity. Most of the recent growth in investment has been targeted at those who have the financial capacity to make private contributions.

The workforce is predicted to increase by at least 50 per cent by 2026. Many highly qualified RNs continue to leave through stress and to seek better wages elsewhere. All providers desire to pay staff more and would definitely do so if the sector received the same funding that the DHBs receive – there is currently a $3 per hour differential. Apart from religious and welfare homes and retirement villages, the majority of facilities have no other additional or alternative funding or income stream to provide better wages. Providers and the aged in their care would benefit immensely from increased pay rates through improved staff morale and reduced staff turnover – but this can only happen with better funding.

In addition to an already stressed sector, interRAI, whilst in theory a great system, is in practice crippling the sector by increasing the RN’s workload and taking the RN away from the ‘hands on’ approach. Though some costs have been met by the funders, the real cost of interRAI implementation is far greater than the funding allocated to date. With the interRAI funding currently inadequate, the sector has yet again been pushed in a corner and expected to come up with the goods and take on board a system that the Government wants for the data it can generate.

We hear time and time again from families who are denied access to long-term aged residential care and are seriously concerned about the longer delays to entry to care. Families express anxiety at having aged parents at home alone, where they are lonely or fearful at night, or parents not drinking enough fluid for fear of going to the toilet too often, or not mobilising and losing muscle strength, or not eating nutritious and regular meals – the list is endless.

To protest is the sector’s only way of bringing their desperate plight to the fore so that those in a position of power are aware of just how inequitable it has become to expect the aged care sector to provide quality care with so little funding year on year. This is not a recent problem but one that has been compounding through never having been addressed, and it is now taking its toll on a much undervalued sector. The sector initially united and decided that they needed to bring their desperate plight to the attention of the Ministry by not signing the increase for one per cent.

However, it was a catch-22 situation, hence the change of direction. If an aged care facility didn’t sign, they would not get any increase for a whole year and would have to sign to the changes in any subsequent increase in the following year. Many facilities also wanted to take advantage of the ‘premium charging’ clause that was part of the Variation. Though this problem has been partially alleviated by the announcement of the 5 per cent increase for rest homes from 1 October, it is almost too little too late. Last year, rest homes received a 0.89 per cent increase.

Pleas for better funding have unfortunately fallen mostly on deaf ears. With successive governments ignoring the dire financial situation, the sector is left to find alternative ways of surviving despite increasing compliancy, operational costs and rising inflation. Every increase thereafter has been way below what is acceptable for the sector to be expected to provide the very best for our elderly. The premium charging clause will assist some of the sector to charge more to incoming residents but not all are in this happy position.

Many providers do this job because they are passionate about the elderly, not because it is financially rewarding. We wonder how much more the aged care sector has to do before its pleas are heard. The evidence is very real and the Ministry does not need interRAI to determine the level of funding required when evidential reports have been submitted in the past and totally ignored by successive governments. Many of New Zealand’s longest serving residential aged care providers are not retirement villages. This group includes privately owned and operated facilities along with charitable trusts whose focus is on providing care to the most frail in our communities. As they are not retirement villages, they have no alternate revenue stream, so any expectation of cross-subsidisation by the Ministry is inappropriate and erroneous. These providers are left to fund a service that cannot break even from resources that do not exist. What does this mean in terms of impact on capacity to deliver service to the community?

In the greater Auckland region alone, there are 211 residential aged care providers. Of that total, 71 are also retirement villages but 140 are not. So 66 per cent of the Auckland residential aged care providers are unable to tap into alternate revenue streams to cross-subsidise what is already seriously underfunded. Why then is the Ministry listening to the ‘Big 10’ when 66 per cent of the market providers aren’t being listened to?

What does this mean in terms of impact on capacity to deliver service to the community?

The 71 providers who are also retirement villages hold 2488 of the total 9046 aged care beds (27 per cent). The Ministry interpretation that residential aged care providers are able to cross-subsidise service costs from their retirement village activities is placing 72 per cent of the total care capacity significantly at risk.

The public need to be aware of this. The Ministry’s perception is flawed, and because of it, more than 70 per cent of the service capacity in the community is being placed at risk due to underfunding.

We all know the sector as a whole goes way beyond the call of duty to provide premium care to our elderly, and there can be times when it is a thankless job, yet we all soldier on with a smile on our face and grin and bear any unjustified negatives. Stand-alone facilities, as much as the corporate, provide a standard of care that can be exceptional. Clients should still be given a choice of going to either a small or larger facility as one size does not fit all. Therefore, dealing with the corporates to advocate for the good of the entire sector is not the answer as we need representation from both sides.

Although there is now no real ‘quick fix’ for the sector, someone must take responsibility for ensuring that the sector does not go backwards any further. Enough is enough!

CANZ is the Care Association New Zealand. This article was written by the CANZ Executive with input from members.

Firefighter Scott Shadbolt was supposed to finish painting his bedroom on February 22, 2011.

Instead, his heroic actions during Christchurch's devastating earthquake have led to him becoming the fourth person to receive the rare Valour Medal by the United Fire Brigades' Association.

Shadbolt, Australian urologist Lydia Johns-Putra, police sergeant Danny Johanson, and anaesthetist Bryce Curran together worked to save the life of Brian Coker in the collapsed PGC building.

Coker's legs were pinned under rubble and had to be amputated by the group with a hacksaw and a Leatherman knife to save his life.

The New Zealand Valour Medal has been presented three times since its inception in 1880.

It is awarded to those who show "exceptional personal courage while saving, or attempting to save, human life and in doing so they may have placed their own life in danger".

Eighty-three firefighters have received valour certificates.

Shadbolt said he was painting his bedroom in Rangiora when the quake struck. He raced to pick up his children from school and kindergarten and rang his wife, Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, who was making her way out of the central city.

"She told me all hell had broken loose and I best get myself to work. I went to the station grabbed some equipment and met up with some of the others there and we headed to the central city.

"I was assigned the task of going to the PGC building - it could've been anyone."

There he met up with the group who would save Coker's life.

"All they knew about me was the patches on my shoulder - that was enough for them."

Other events that day also played on his mind, he said.

"There were other tragedies which weighed heavy on the heart that day.

"I remember when we were in the dark breaking the cathedral apart trying to find people - the quietness and the darkness of the city - it felt like a war zone. There was just the birds and us," he said.

He remembers the sound of the car and burglar alarms screeching and the smell of hand sanitiser takes him back to that day.

"Our training as firefighters got us through. Getting to a situation problem solving it," Shadbolt said.

For immediate release
Wednesday 22 October

 

New Zealand Fans Middle-earth bound for The Hobbit Trilogy dream journey

Gearing up for the 11 December release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), four of New Zealand’s most passionate and dedicated Hobbit fans are about to set off on an adventure, for a real life Middle-earth experience they would once have only dreamed possible.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet Sir Peter Jackson and watch a preview screening of the highly anticipated third and final film in the filmmaker’s epic The Hobbit Trilogy at his private studios in Wellington. 

Watching the massive battles of the Trilogy’s epic conclusion unfold on screen will have added impact for fans who will have just visited some of the actual filming locations where Sir Peter and his filmmaking team captured the character and sweeping beauty of Middle-earth in adapting the timeless masterpiece for the screen. 

The lucky four New Zealanders are among up to 75 global winners of The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contestundefineda collaboration of Warner Bros. Pictures and its filmmaking partners New Line and MGM, as well as Air New Zealand - the official airline of Middle-earth - and Tourism New Zealand, the government tourism body responsible for hosting the fans in New Zealand.

The New Zealand winners are Ash Meredith and Hazel Childs-Coulson from Wellington, Tess McGregor from Auckland and Floris Van Gaalen from Hamilton.

Asked about his first thoughts when told he had won a place on The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Trip, Ash Meredith said it was one of those once in a lifetime wish list journeys which he is both proud and humble to have been selected for.

“It is going to be amazing to meet fellow Hobbit fanatics from all over the globe right in my own back yard.”

“We’re thrilled to engage with Hobbit fans around the world on this grassroots level,” said Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution.  “These are fans with passion and a sense of adventure, and we’re thrilled to invite them to experience the wonder of this last trip to Middle-earth with Peter Jackson himself in New Zealand.”

More than 140,000 thousand people from approximately 30 countries registered for The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest, to find the most ardent fans of The Hobbit Trilogy. The contest invited fans to complete a series of Hobbit film-related challenges, including sending a postcard to Sir Peter Jackson explaining why they belonged in the Fan Fellowship, answering a Hobbit-themed quiz and a supplying a video message sharing their passion for all things Hobbit-related.

Each of the winners was invited to choose a fellow fan, friend or family member with whom to share this once-in-a-lifetime journey, which begins when they step aboard an Air New Zealand aircraft bound for Middle-earth. The fans will arrive in Auckland on November 2 and embark on a five-day expedition.

As well as meeting Sir Peter, the group will also visit locations and see landscapes made famous by both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies throughout New Zealand’s North and South Islands. The journey will show fans that the backdrops they’ve seen on the big screen are real locations they can experience as part of their holiday.

About the journey

 

The multi-national Fan Fellowship will fly in to Auckland, rated the third most liveable city in the world, and travel on to Rotorua, New Zealand’s famous, long-standing tourist destination,  where they will be welcomed with a Maori cultural performance and traditional hangi banquet (cooked in an authentic underground oven).

Their next stop will be the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata in the Waikato region for a private tour of the picturesque shire which is the big-screen home of Bilbo Baggins.

Fans will be treated to feast fit for any Dwarf before continuing their journey to Queenstown in the South Island the following day.

Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital and the scene of countless battle scenes from The Hobbit Trilogy. The Fan Fellowship will not only have the chance to walk in the footsteps of their heroes through Paradise but also visit the site of the Pillar of Kings, home of the Kawerau Bungy and zipline.

The journey will end in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city and Sir Peter’s home town, for the private screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Better known as “Wellywood,” Wellington is the home of Sir Peter’s filmmaking operations, which has become a must-stop for film fans visiting New Zealand.

The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Journey will be recorded by a group of 40 - 50 high-profile international and New Zealand media who will capture the highlights for global television, print and online outlets.

 

Supporting the fans’ journey are New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, which will handle the worldwide theatrical distribution of The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies later this year, along with MGM in select territories.

 

ENDS

For more information:

Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Public Affairs
public.affairs@airnz.co.nz; +64 21 747 320

Tourism New Zealand
Emma Carter, Senior Communications Advisor, Tourism New Zealand
emma.carter@tnz.govt.nz; +64 21 243 0386

Roadshow Film Distributors
Leanda Borrett, Publicist, Roadshow Films
Leanda_Borrett@Roadshow.co.nz; +64 21 277 7587

About The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

Directed by Peter Jackson, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies features a screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.  Production took place at Jackson’s own facilities in Miramar, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.  Post production took place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

 

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.  As with the first two films in the Trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the final film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production.  Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.