A look at the work in progress
at THL’s newest attraction
One of the most challenging
constructions ever to take place in
New Zealand is moving full steam
ahead at Tourism Holdings Limited’s
Ruakuri project at Waitomo.
Work on establishing a new spiral
entranceway to the legendary cave
system and new walkways began
during the winter months this year
and the ‘spiritual journey’ that will be
the Ruakuri experience is scheduled to
be opened in the first half of 2005.
The massive underground
construction project is being overseen
by THL’s Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Operations Manager Robert Tahi and
consultant John Ash, who is also
directing the ‘spiritual journey’ theme
that will be created in the cave. John
has a comprehensive knowledge of
the cave systems at Waitomo and was
one of the owners of The Legendary
Blackwater Rafting Co., which THL
acquired last year at the same time
it purchased the licence to re-open
Ruakuri from the landowners, the
Holden family.
Local Iwi are heavily involved in
assisting THL to craft the Ruakuri
experience. As Pinnacle was going
to press, John was able to share
the schematic (pictured right)w as
an indication of the theme being
developed.
He explains: “The centre image is an
architectural concept sketch of the
entrance shaft, which will be the scene-
setter for the spiritual journey that
will be the Ruakuri expereince. The
left hand graphic is a representation
of the scientific karst-cave process
showing the inter-relationship between
water, forest and limestone. The right
hand column contains the three Maori
elements from myth and legend that
can be married to this karst-cave
process, Rangi the Sky Father, Tane
God of the Forest and Papatuanuku the
Earth Mother”.
Some parts of the development have
gone faster than expected while
other facets have seen nature at its
unpredictable best and, all the way
through the project, work must
observe the understandably rigid
requirements of the Department
of Conservation concessions and
Environment Waikato resource
consents (the most complex the
organisation has ever issued).
Work at Ruakuri is being carried out
by a number of national and local
contractors, with input from half a
dozen or more of THL’s operations
and guiding staff, including personnel
from The Legendary Black Water
Rafting Co.
Ruakuri – the crafting of a ‘spiritual journey’
Richard Wilson, General Manager of THL’s multi-faceted Experiences division, was bid a fond farewell at a function attended by many
staff at the end of November. Richard, who commuted from his home in Christchurch to Auckland during his time as GM, has made
the decision to take up a position in the Garden City, which will allow him to spend more time there with his young family. He spent
a total of 13 years with Mount Cook Line and THL and was highly valued for his energy, diligence and thought provoking approach.
THL wishes him well in his new job with Gough, Gough & Hammer in Christchurch.
Avalon Industrial Services workers installing suspended walkways in the cave.
A bird’s eye view of construction in the entrance way to Ruakuri.
Adrenalin could well be retiring
Tourism Holdings Limited Director
Don Spary’s middle name.
A Founding Director of The Helicopter
Line – one of the three companies that
became THL – Don has a life-long
reputation for seeking adventure.
Soon after he arrived in New Zealand
in the 1970s from his native England,
Don was at the controls of helicopters
carrying out deer recovery work on
the rugged Fiordland and West Coast
areas of the South Island. This led to
him being one of the first to develop
scenic helicopter operations and
heli-skiing in the region. In THL’s
early years, as the local Director, he
was involved in the Treble Cone Ski
Area, jet boating and rafting and the
adventure tourism combinations that
thrill seeking visitors relish today. He
also instigated the production of the
perennially popular Kiwi Magic movie
and the construction of the Showscan
Theatre complex.
As a fan of historic aircraft, Don
is Chairman of Trustees for the
celebrated New Zealand Fighter Pilots
Museum Charitable Foundation at
Wanaka and an avid supporter of the
biennial Warbirds Over Wanaka. The
air show is, among other enterprises,
operated by the Alpine Deer Group, a
company that he Chairs and is owned
by Sir Tim Wallis, his long-time friend
and business associate from The
Helicopter Line days.
Over the years Mr Spary’s extensive
knowledge of aviation and tourism has
contributed significantly to the growth
and success of THL. The Board and
Management wish him and his wife
Jan the very best for the future.
Don Spary retires
Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises has
given a $1 million facelift to one of its
vessels in time for the peak summer
season visitors to Milford Sound. The
26 metre steel catamaran, Lady Stirling
has been significantly modernised and
is now known as the Spirit of Milford.
Operations Manager John Robson said
every aspect of the refurbishment had
the customer top of mind.
“We are dedicated to providing
customers with the best experience
every time and this refit, which
incorporates recommendations made
by our staff who work on the boat,
is very much part of delivering that
promise,” he said.
The refurbishment includes larger
windows to capitalise on the unique
features of the spectacular natural
scenery of Milford Sound. Passenger
cabins now feature a modern décor, and
all service areas have been upgraded.
$1M facelift brings new Spirit to Milford Sound Red Boats
www.discovernewzealand.com offers company-wide product range
Tourism Holdings Limited (THL) has
established a website that brings the
company’s full New Zealand travel
product range under a single URL
– www.discovernewzealand.com
The website is part of THL’s company-
wide commitment to providing a
better experience every time for
industry clients and for the consumers
who prefer direct contact.
Previously the travel industry
and consumers wanting to access
information online about THL’s
products had to visit a variety of
individual websites for each brand.
The new URL makes it a lot easier to
find information about what there is
to see and do in New Zealand and to
more efficiently plan an itinerary.
The existing brand websites continue
and, as they do, the new URL also
permits visitors to the site to make
bookings via an email based system
that is handled by THL’s Contact
Centre reservations staff.
Kelly Tarlton’s stars in hit OceanZoo TV series
Five Tourism Holdings Limited
employees more accustomed to
swimming with sharks, feeding
stingrays and caring for penguins
are television stars in the new reality
series that screens on TV 2 (Sundays
at 7pm) in New Zealand and will
shortly screen in Australia.
The series is OceanZoo and the
“stars” are the marine biologists,
animal husbandry experts and
marine educators at Kelly Tarlton’s
Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World.
Kelly Tarlton’s shares the limelight on the show
with Melbourne Aquarium and Underwater World
in Mooloolaba, Queensland.
Picture: Kelly Tarlton’s OceanZoo stars (from left)
Vicki Lorenzen, James Thomas, Rochelle Deane,
Andrew Christie and
Dan Godoy.
Fond farewell to Richard Wilson
The adventure travel network,
Kiwi Experience, is the latest in the
Tourism Holdings Limited stable of
companies to be given the thumbs
up by the Qualmark™ quality
assurance programme that identifies
New Zealand’s professional and
trustworthy tourism operations.
The company’s Group General
Manager, Michael Whybro, said Kiwi
Experience was delighted to get the
Qualmark say-so.
“This endorsement is a rave review
for all the
people here
who go the
extra mile to
ensure our
passengers have
a memorable
visit for all the right reasons. In
particular, it’s a great accolade
our driver/guides who are real
characters and go through a
rigorous training programme.”
Kiwi Experience is celebrating
its 15th birthday this year.
Kiwi Experience Gets Thumbs Up
Tourism Holdings Limited (THL)
has re-branded its group travel
operation as Discover New Zealand
Groups, specialising in group travel
arrangements for corporates seeking
THE place to reward personnel,
stage special meetings, attend fun
events or simply get out of town for
a round of golf or a spot of fishing.
As part of THL, Discover New
Zealand has unsurpassed buying
power nationwide and strong
alliances with other tourism
operators around the country.
It is a ‘one stop shop’ for an
enormous range of travel options,
and can tailor just about any
travel programme, ensuring a great
experience every time, no matter the
group’s interests or budget.
THL re-brands Groups Division
Celebrate! A successful market
brand for THL in overseas markets
is Newmans and to celebrate its
125th anniversary a dinner was
held in London in association
with APT. Pictured are (from left)
Leanne Lengton, Regional Manager
UK, with APT’s Regional Director
Gary Bartelings, plus Rachel Wood
and Frances Blair, of Travel 2.
THL’s fun alternative backpacker
transport operation, Kiwi Experience,
has launched its own campervan
brand – My Pod, short for ‘my
platform of discovery’!
There are three types of fully equipped
campervans available, priced from $95
per day in the peak season and $39 in
winter. They come with a God Pod
travel guide written by driver/guides
Andy Parker and Jim the Eagle to
ensure customers the best possible
travel experience during their precious
time in Godszone. Accompanying
the God Pod is the Pod Discount
Card travellers use to earn Pod Points
to obtain discounts and Pod Prizes.
www.mypod.co.nz
Kiwi Experience launches MyPod campervans
Boy racers step aside, there’s a new and
seriously modified vehicle claiming
attention on Auckland’s streets. It’s a
Ford Transit van that is literally shrink
wrapped to depict a swirling undersea
scene and topped off with life-like
penguins and a bronze whaler shark
with a mouthful of sharp teeth.
The van is the free shuttle bus
that transfers visitors from the
central business district out along
Tamaki Drive to the popular Kelly
Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and
Underwater World.
Kelly Tarlton’s takes to the streets
Forget the two front teeth wished
for in the childhood Christmas
chant. All Andrew Baker wants for
Christmas is Stingray Bay!
Andrew is Operations Manager at
Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter
and Underwater World, and, as
Pinnacle was going to press, his wish
– and that of Kelly Tarlton’s dedicated
staff – was about to be granted.
Stingray Bay, which shows off Kelly
Tarlton’s stingrays to best advantage
in a giant 350,000 litre open topped
acrylic tank, will open two days
before Christmas and in plenty
of time for the iconic Auckland
attraction’s 20th anniversary in
January 2005.
As well as allowing visitors to view
these remarkable winged marine
creatures at close quarters, there will
be opportunities to learn more about
the stingrays from Kelly Tarlton’s
personnel as they hand feed them.
The Stingray Bay development also
includes an interactive area for
children, plus seating in front of large
picture windows offering views over
Okahu Bay. Added to this, there
is a coffee kiosk and new restroom
facilities.
Stingray Bay is stage two of the
$12 million redevelopment at Kelly
Tarlton’s which earlier this year saw
the commissioning of a state-of-the-
art filtration system. The next two
stages will feature further interaction
opportunities for visitors, including a
new shark tank which will show off
these denizens of the deep to greater
effect and allow for better viewing of
their feeding time. A reconfiguration
of the Antarctic Encounter will also
allow better viewing of the King and
Gentoo penguins and their chicks.
Added to this, the smaller aquarium
displays will be converted into full
height tanks and there will be zones
where functions, such as cocktail
receptions and seminars can be held.
Andrew outlines some of the facts of
the redevelopment thus far…
• 800 cubic meters of material has
been taken out – old sewage tank
walls, silt and sand, etc – and 350
cubic meters of concrete put back
in to reshape the attraction
• All work to date has been carried
out while Tamaki Drive traffic
passes overhead, with no closures
of the busy road required
• The superior filtration provided by
the new plant has generated such
a change to water quality that the
aquarium’s water is now a blue
shade, making it look more like
tropical water
• At high tide the bottom of the sea
windows in the Stingray Bay area
will be awash with sea water; the
acrylic used for the windows is left
over from Kelly Tarlton’s original
build in 1985 .
Stingray Bay – a Christmas gift for Auckland city!
Of course Auckland’s weather was wild the day the Stingray Bay tank was trial filled with sea water from Okahu Bay! Our picture shows Myles Farmer (left) and Andrew (AJ) Christie man-handling the suction pump at the foot of the sea wall running along the perimeter of Kelly Tarlton’s. Following the trial fill, the water was drained out and the tank refilled prior to filtration starting and the stingrays being introduced.
Times – and experiences
– they are a-changing for
independent travellers/
backpackers and doesn’t
Tourism Holdings
Limited’s Oz Experience
operation know it!
These days backpackers
want a challenging
experience they can brag
about. They want to push
the boundaries and get
up close with the REAL
Australia.
Oz Experience is in the
process of ‘re-birth’ so that
it offers challenging and
inspiring experiences,
as the Kiwi and Feejee
Experience operations do.
From April, Oz
Experience will offer
independent travellers:
• More high impact,
uniquely Australian
experiences
• Increased number of overnight
stops between Melbourne, Sydney
and Cairns so that driving time
is reduced and there are more
opportunities to hop off the bus
and experience the real Australia
• Minimum day itineraries so
they can make their trip more
of a tour experience should they
prefer this.
The adventures that passengers can
now expect from Oz Experience
range from the adrenalin pumped
and demanding through to unique
cultural activities. Possibilities
include sand-boarding down giant
dunes, surf lessons, mountain
biking, trekking up Mt Warning,
making digeridoos and even
jumping on some scooters to
search for kangaroos in the Outback.
And that’s just to name a few!
To give passengers and the industry
a taste of what’s to come, Oz
Experience will launch its new
flagship Blue Mountains day trip just
before Christmas. Quite simply, it will
be unmatched by competitors!
Also in the New Year the Oz, Kiwi
and Feejee Experiences operations
will have a new branding look and
feel designed to appeal to savvy
independent travellers.
It’s a whole new experience for Oz
Get off the Oz Experience bus and into the real Australia – passengers take a close up look at Katoomba Falls in the Blue Mountains.
D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 E D I T I O N
Multi award winning tourism operation joins THL group
Warm Welcome for Fullers Bay of Islands
Tourism Holdings Limited
(THL) has acquired the highly
successful tourism business
of Fullers Bay of Islands from
Marine Tourism Holdings
group, which is owned by three
entrepreneurs who have been
a major force in shaping the
tourism sector in the Northland
region of New Zealand – Chris
Jacobs, Roger Dold and Peter
Murphy.
Fullers, based in Paihia, is one of
New Zealand’s foremost tourism
companies and shares the same
superior levels of service THL prides
itself in offering international visitors
and domestic travellers.
Fullers operates two top-flight brands
– Fullers Bay of Islands and Awesome
Adventures – and won the Supreme
and Distinction awards in the New
Zealand Tourism Awards 2000/2001
and the ITOC Operator of the Year
2003.
In announcing the Fullers acquisition
at the THL annual meeting, Managing
Director Dennis Pickup said that
Fullers was a great fit with THL’s
existing brands and operations.
“THL and Fullers have the benefit
of a long standing and rewarding
business association through the
Leading Attractions alliance and the
close partnership that has seen THL
operations of Johnston’s Coachlines,
Great Sights coach touring, Kiwi
Experience, Maui motorhome
and Britz campervan and rental
car operations feed into Fullers’
products.”
The acquisition sees all existing
Fullers staff (above right) retained
under the current Chief Executive
Kit Nixon. Kit will report directly to
Dennis Pickup.
Chris, Roger and Peter will continue
to operate the Marine Tourism
Holdings Fiji and Whitsundays cruise
businesses.
About Fullers Bay of Islands
Fullers began welcoming visitors to
the Bay of Islands and Northland
regions of New Zealand way back
in 1886 and today continues the
tradition of fine service aboard a
modern fleet of vessels and coaches.
Fullers Cruises at a glance • The Cape Brett-Hole in the
Rock Cruise
• The Cream Trip Supercruise
• Dolphin Adventures
• Nautlis Subsea Adventure
• The Excitor Hole in the Rock Adventure.
Fullers Tours at a glance• Cape Reinga Wanderer via 90
Mile Beach
• Russell Mini Tour
• Kerikeri & Craft Tour
• Bay Belle passenger ferry linking Paihia with Russell and the vehicle ferry services between Opua and Okiato Point.
As we step forward into a year
that looks wonderfully positive,
all of us at Tourism Holdings
Limited can look back on
12 months of high achievement and
excellent growth for tourism in the
South Pacific region.
Whilst our businesses in New
Zealand, Australia and Fiji confront
unique challenges, generally, for
the past two years the tourism
environment has been relatively free
of the negative impacts of world
events. The reality is that terrorism,
Middle-East wars and SARS have
made “Down Under” even more
appealing. We are a long way from
most of the world’s trouble spots and
our isolation is, in fact, a positive for
most of our international visitors.
Increasingly, the world is appreciating
what our region has to offer and
the social qualities that make our
countries a great place to live and
work in and to visit
In New Zealand, Australia and Fiji
tourism is #1 in economic growth,
employment and export earnings.
THL is capitalising on this positive
growth in acquiring three new
businesses in the past four months.
The acquisitions of Hertz Australia
(September), Cruise New Zealand
(October) motorhome rental fleets
has been followed by the acquisition
on December 1, 2004 of Fullers Bay
of Islands. A special welcome to Kit
Nixon, CEO, and the staff of Fullers.
Fullers Bay of Islands, incorporating
Awesome Adventures, has grown
in recent years to become one
of New Zealand’s outstanding
tourism successes. The businesses,
management and staff are well known
to us, particularly through our
Sales & Marketing teams with New
Zealand Leading Attractions and our
Coaching operations of Johnston’s,
Great Sights and Kiwi Experience.
THL will continue to grow, both by
increasing investment in our existing
businesses, as well as by acquisition.
This will enable our people greater
employment and career opportunities.
Whilst we will always seek to
recruit and employ the best people,
I firmly believe that just as Our Best
Customer is Our Existing Customer,
The Best Employees are Our Existing
Employees.
At this hectic time of the year, as we
enjoy the high summer season and
associated increased patronage, whilst
balancing our family and social lives,
I am reminded of Confucius (or was
it Tiger Woods) when he said “Life is
like a game of golf. Play one hole at
a time”.
Whilst ensuring our customers have a
Great Experience Every Time, please
also ensure that you take time out to
enjoy the company of your family,
friends and R&R pursuits over the
summer months.
Best Wishes and Cheers
for a BONANZA 2005.
Dennis Pickup
Message from the MD
Picture courtesy of The Independent
THL Rentals is proud to launch its very own e-newsletter – aptly called
MotorMouth. The bi-monthly emailed newsletter reaches out to our key
business partners and tells motorhome, campervan and car rentals news.
Each issue will feature branches of the month and staff spotlights so that our
business partners get to know the faces and the personalities behind our highly
successful Maui, Britz and Backpacker brands in New Zealand and Australia.
The spacious Pioneer is the most
recent vehicle to join the Britz
Australia family and is
expected to bring the
campervan experience to
a whole new audience.
Pioneers are being
marketed to smaller
family groups of up
to five. In the driving
configuration, the vehicles can comfortably seat five passengers. In the sleeping
configuration, they sleep two adults plus one child with tents available at a small
extra hire fee to accommodate the additional passengers.
The campervan is child friendly with seating for little ones up in the front area
near mum and dad that includes two anchor points for baby seats.
Chief Operating Officer of THL Rentals, Chris Rusden, says the Pioneer is a
welcome addition to the Britz fleet that will fill a niche for those who may
previously have been unable to enjoy the experiences of a campervan holiday.
We expect that the Pioneer will become one of our most popular vehicles in
Australia,” he said.
One of the most popular and colourful
personalities at this year’s Writers’ Festival in
Melbourne “cooked for y’all each and every
lunchtime” in a Britz campervan.
American culinary legend, cult figure and
international drag queen, the larger than life
Ruby Ann Boxcar, attracted huge crowds with
her off-the-wall “cooking demonstrations”
utilising a Britz campervan parked in the
courtyard of
Melbourne’s
Malthouse Theatre
during the week
long festival.
Additional
exposure for the
Britz brand was
generated through
TV coverage of the
festival event.
Britz campervans are proving to be the ideal answer for
fans of the highly successful A Day on the Green series of
outdoor concerts staged in wineries around Australia.
Known as ‘the big day out for adults” A Day on the Green
events combine great music with fine wine and food
– all in a picturesque outdoor setting. The events are
increasingly popular but most often held in areas where
accommodation might be difficult to obtain, especially for
those leaving bookings to the last minute.
Britz has designed attractive packages across its 2, 4 and
6 berth vehicles and teamed with BIG4 Holiday Parks,
which offer event goers a 10% discount off site fees.
Coming up, the A Day on the Green artists include Pete
Murray and the Waifs, Bryan Adams, Jamie Cullum and
Norah Jones. Participating wineries are located in New
South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania
where THL Rentals offers customers a range of branch
locations.
THL Rentals is leading the market as the first to offer a virtual tour guide option
in Maui motorhomes, Britz campervans and the rental car fleet in New Zealand.
The innovative virtual tour guide, called KRUSE® and developed by the
Auckland based Kruse-IT company, utilises GPS (global positioning system)
technology to recognise the vehicle’s location and play the relevant audio
commentary through its sound system.
“Some 1,500 points of interest throughout New Zealand are included in the
Kruse commentary. As well as being an interesting tour guide, Kruse also
provides practical information about how to get from one point to another”.
Lights, Camera, Action
Interactive travellers love the Kruse virtual tour guide
Sturdy but compact safes are now available in many of Maui motorhomes
and Britz campervans in Australia. The move will give our customers
peace of mind that their valuables are safe when they are out on the
road. This added service is free to customers hiring our premium Maui
motorhomes and is a $20 option for Britz customers.
Safe-ty on the road
Getting EdgyBritz has ‘A Day on the Green’ – lots of them actually!
Pioneer joins the Britz ranks
Freedom’s just another word for…
Maui Direct, the Tourism Holdings
Limited Rentals operation that sells ex-
rentals motorhomes and is a valuable
revenue stream for the company.
Increasingly, New Zealanders are
taking to the road in their own
motorhomes and, understandably,
many favour ex-Maui vehicles due to
their tip-top condition and the regular
maintenance they receive while in
active rental service.
www.mauidirect.co.nz
Maui is increasingly playing
an important role in New
Zealand and Australian
movie productions providing
movie crews and stars with
comfortable, well-equipped
motorhomes. The vehicles are
especially popular with crews
working in remote locations
where accommodation is often
difficult to find.
Recent New Zealand movies
Maui has “starred” in include
The Lion, The Witch and the
Wardrobe, Perfect Creature
and River Queen, The Lord of
the Rings trilogy, The Matrix,
The Last Samurai and Mission
Impossible 2.
Maui motorhomes are also
popular with documentary
makers and photographers
doing shorter shoots but
still looking for comfort,
convenience and flexibility.
As part of its support for
the movie industries in
New Zealand and Australia
Maui offers preferential
rates on motorhome and
rental car hire.
On yer bike!Coming up in the New Year
is the bonus of free rental
bicycles for Maui and Britz
hirers staying at any of the
50-plus Top Ten Holiday Parks
that are scattered around New
Zealand from Ninety Mile
Beach and Doubtless Bay in
the Far North to Invercargill in
the deep south.
Ex-Rentals motorhomes popular seller
Low cost campervans, priceless adventuresKeep it simple – and creative – was
the design brief for the fresh look for
Tourism Holdings Limited’s low-cost
campervan operation, Backpacker.
The result is a new logo featuring
green and blue Australia and New
Zealand map icons with the routes
a freedom loving, self-sufficient
traveller might take traced out.
“The clean and simple design and
inspirational imagery is very enticing
to the independent traveller,” says
Chris Rusden, THL Rentals’ Chief
Operating Officer.
Backpacker campervans are a popular
choice for cost-conscious travellers
touring Australia and New Zealand.
THL offers the largest range of quality
vehicles at the best prices. The New
Zealand fleet also includes a range of
rental cars.
www.backpackercampervans.com
Backpacker goes for a new look
www.britz.com
Making the moment!Tourism Holdings Limited’s
aspirational Vision and Values
programme is all about providing
‘power to its people’ so they can
confidently and proudly deliver
customers ‘the best experience
every time’.
Many are clocking up long
service with the company (see
right). Added to this, THL
has a strong focus on career
development opportunities for
personnel. Recent promotions
from within the company include
the appointment of Charles
Parker, formerly Rentals’ New
Zealand Fleet Manager, to the
position of General Manager of
Feejee Experience, and that of
Todd Parkin, formerly Rentals’
Auckland Branch Manager, to the
role of New Zealand Operations
Manager.
In this issue of Pinnacle, we take
a look at some of the people
who make the moment at in the
Auckland Rentals operation.
Long Service Rentals personnel include:19 yearsJosie Kennedy, Detailer, Christchurch
18 yearsWarren Meredith, Mechanic, Christchurch
16 yearsRoss Telgenkamp Melbourne Factory
15 years Kevin Guptill, Paint and Panel Manager, Auckland
Shirley Maquigan, Christchurch Branch Operations Manager
Lise Richmond, Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator, Auckland
Philip Sharma, Stores Manager, Auckland
Issac Sharma (Philip’s brother), Paint and Panel, Auckland
Nathan Sivipragasam, Mechanic, Auckland
14 years Steve Fisher, Paint and Panel, Auckland
Lynne Garde Branch Manager, Sydney
13 years Sue Sullivan, General Manager New Zealand
The Detailing Crew – (standing, from left) Vito Fakavai, Abby Samuel, Allen Nand, James Whittaker, Gerard Henry, Aaron Mahina, Emily Dean, Norman Tongotea and Tina Taufahema; (front, from left) Joe Lao, Leslie Teinangaro and Valeti Akauola.
Tourism Holdings Limited has
refurbished and expanded its
Auckland Rentals branch to deliver
a more efficient service to customers
and, with an intrinsically New Zealand
décor, to give them a taste of the sights
they will see as they drive around New
Zealand.
General Manager of New Zealand
operations, Sue Sullivan, says the
half-million dollar refurbishment is
part of THL’s commitment to providing
customers with a memorable vacation
experience and superior service.
“Many of our customers are from
overseas and, as well as incorporating
practical service features that make for
greater efficiency, we were keen that
the facelift should create an inviting
environment and give customers a taste
of the New Zealand they encounter
when they get out on the road.”
New-look Auckland Rentals branch offers taste of what’s to come out on the road – and speedier service!
Responding to the call of the wild
Among the year’s highlights for Britz in Australia
was being the official motorhome sponsor of
the 2004 Australian Safari, an internationally
renowned cross-country event that is the country’s
toughest off road contest covering a distance of
over 5,000 kilometres.
With limited accommodation in the regional
overnight stop towns, Britz is becoming a clear
choice for the Australian Safari teams and
supporters who want the winning combination of
transport and accommodation all in one.
As part of the sponsor package, Britz provided six
Explorer vehicles that were put to a range of uses
by the organisers – as accommodation for rally
officials, office space for administrative personnel
and the results team, the official media centre and
the broadcast station for Channel 7 Sunrise.
Many competitors and supporters took advantage
of the 28% discount Britz offered over regular
market rates.
THL Rentals refurbishes Australian branches
Over the past 12 months, Tourism Holdings Limited Rentals has made
a significant investment in refurbishing each of its branch locations in
Australia.
Sales and Marketing Manager of THL Rentals in Australia, Simone
MacDonald, explains the purpose of the refurbishment was to provide
a welcoming environment for customers and to improve efficiencies in
the vehicle pick up and return process.
“We are leisure specialists and the holiday experience for customers
starts right here in the branches. The changes we have made make for
speedier service for our customers and the Australian themed décor
gives them a taste of what they will see as they drive their motorhome,
campervan or rental car around the country.”
Facilities in the refurbished branches include comfortable seating, TV
screens showing informational and entertaining DVDs, internet access,
refreshments and play areas for children.
Australia Sales and Marketing team
From left, front row: Damian Sever (Senior Account Manager),
William Lewis (Market Analyst), Scott Wallace (Account Manager),
Scott Fahey (Sales Planning
Manger), Andrew Wilson (Account
Manager) and Adam Wright
(Senior Account Manager);
back row: Jackie Costello (Sales &
Marketing Coordinator), Samantha
Catlow (Brand Manager), Simone
MacDonald (National Sales &
Marketing Manager) and Johanna
Penny (Brand Manager).
Big, bold & beautiful – the experience starts here!
The new-look Auckland Rentals branch was officially opened by the Mayor of Manukau City, Sir Barry Curtis, flanked by THL Managing Director Dennis Pickup, THL Rentals’ General Manager New Zealand Sue Sullivan and the division’s Chief Operating Officer Chris Rusden.
Len Hatton has been appointed
General Manager Human Resources for
Tourism Holdings Limited. Based at
the Auckland Rentals branch.
He is responsible for the New Zealand
Rentals operation, plus covers
C.I. Munro and corporate. He joined
THL from 14 years in Sydney where
he was with Procter & Gamble, most
recently as head of human resources
for the company’s Australia and New
Zealand business. Len has a generalist
HR background with strengths in
organisational design and development
and acquisitions. He holds a Masters
Degree in Social Sciences from the
University of Waikato.
New HR Manager
t
Direct Sales – (front left) Sebastien Bouvier; (from left) Grant Ward, Tueila Field, Sarah Webster, Mark Cordery. A further team member, Jocelyn Jacobs, was busy promoting THL at the Ellerslie Flower Show at the time this picture was taken.
The Customer Services Team (from left) Ken Murray, Zalina Kozlova, Diane Smith, Storm Howes, Estelle Stringer, Tammy Healey, Andrew Thompson, Waireka Morris, Todd Parkin, Berengere Courmont, Marc Herbulot, Ashlynne Prakash, Brent Mitchell and Casey Brown.
One of the French speaking Customer Services personnel, Phillipe Serre.
Accounts – (from left) Judith Bell, Sharie Kiripa, Michael Lim Chong, Karen Tran, Jennie Carter and Sharon Tangianau.
Steve Fisher applies the sign of quality assurance – the Qualmark logo.
Ashlynne Prakash and Casey Brown.
Reservations personnel (from left) Michael Smith, Aileen Toh, Elliot Butcher and Margaret Mati.
The Operations Team – (from left) Sridevi Vetcha, Olivia Kowol, Charles Parker, Rozeena Kumari and Raj Lalhall.
Sales and Marketing – (from left) Marina Wong, Lise Richmond, Kate Meldrum, Ryan Posa and Angela Taylor.
Panel and Paint Manager Kevin Guptill (left) with Steve Fisher, Issac Sharma and Ewen Mills.
Nathan Sivipragasam runs a diagnostic test on one of the new VW motorhomes
Maui Direct’s Vincci Chan (left) and Judith Greer, a Waitomo Glowworm Caves guide, in promotional mode at the recent Ellerslie Flower Show in Auckland where THL’s Rentals and Experiences divisions combined forces in a creative exhibit.
Leslie Teinangaro takes care of the details.
An impromptu haka from the Mechanics Team – (from left) Bryce Nicholson, Mark Patmore, Tom Tamasi and Simione Mamaloga, with help from Monty Pratt and Murray Wilkinson.
Philip Sharma and Bill Moore in Stores.
Todd Parkin (left) congratulates Simione Mamaloga, who has embarked on a mechanic apprenticeship with THL support.
Murray Wilkinson, Auckland Branch Operations Manager, with Monty Pratt, Customer Care.
Kirsty Higgins, Executive Assistant.
Richie and Lucas Koroheke in the THL pool at Ellerslie Flower Show
Making the moment!
The Detailing Crew – (standing, from left) Vito Fakavai, Abby Samuel, Allen Nand, James Whittaker, Gerard Henry, Aaron Mahina, Emily Dean, Norman Tongotea and Tina Taufahema; (front, from left) Joe Lao, Leslie Teinangaro and Valeti Akauola.
Big, bold & beautiful – the experience starts here!
Sue Sullivan, General Manager New Zealand,
THL Rentals.