The story beginsTihei Mauri Ora

International Conferenceon InterpretationInternational Conferenceon Interpretation

2

The story beginsTihei Mauri Ora

April 3–7, 2016Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

The story beginsTihei Mauri Ora

International Conferenceon InterpretationInternational Conferenceon Interpretation

premier sponsor

230 Cherry StreetFort Collins, CO 80521888-900-8283 toll-free970-484-8283970-484-8179 faxwww.interpnet.com

board of directors

executive committeeAmy Lethbridge, PresidentCem Basman, VP for AdministrationJohn C.F. Luzader, VP for ProgramsTheresa Coble, TreasurerTom Mullin, Secretary

director—emeritusJim Covel

board MembersBradley BlockTodd BridgewaterJose ChavezKevin DamstraBrenda Lackey

staffMargo Carlock, Executive DirectorPaul Caputo, Deputy DirectorJamie King, Membership ManagerDeborah Tewell, Events Manager Emily Jacobs, Certification &

Training Program ManagerCarrie Miller, Certification & Training

CoordinatorRichard Smith, Shipping ClerkMarla Morine, Admin Assistant

PO Box 7025NewtownWellington 6242Aotearoa New Zealand admin@innz.net.nzwww.innz.net.nz

committeeStephen Espiner, ChairSarah Mankelow, Deputy ChairSue Hill, TreasurerAlison Mulford, Secretary Janet Bathgate, NewsletterSandra Jack, WebsiteKatrina HendersonTrevor Creagh Talei Langley

conference VolunteersLynda BurnsMichelle EdgeShelly Biswell

Conference logo supplied by Snapper Graphicswww.snappergraphics.co.nz+ 64 9 372 8992

Tom MedemaJay MillerJeff MillerJohn MillerJessica Moore

Thursday, april 7

World Café General Session: Summary of thoughts, ideas, and best practices presented in the tracks throughout the conference.8:30am

Poroporoaki: Farewell Ceremony 10:30am

Check-out and Departure11:00am

Optional Post-conference Trip to the South Island

Friday, april 1 & saTurday, april 2

Optional Pre-Conference Trips

Auckland and the Waitakere Ranges 8:30am start

Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island 8:30am start

Train from Auckland to Wellington Saturday only. Arrive at 7:00am for a 7:45am departure. Arrival in Wellington is 6:25pm.

sunday, april 3

Registration open8:00am–5:00pm

Indigenous Forum at the National Museum of New Zealand–Te Papa10:00am–3:00pm

Welcome CeremonyPowhiri and Reception, Te Papa 4:00–6:30pm

monday, april 4

Keynote Speaker (To Be Announced) 8:30am

Concurrent Sessions 10:00am–12:00pm

Lunch12:00–1:00pm

Concurrent Sessions 1:00–5:00pm

Trade Show Reception 5:00–6:00pm

Dinner on Your Own in Wellington Organized “Dine-Around” 6:00pm

Tuesday, april 5

Off-site Study Sessions 8:00am–5:00pm

Dinner on Your Own

Wednesday, april 6

Keynote Speaker (To Be Announced) 8:30am

Concurrent Sessions10:00am–12:00pm

Lunch 12:00–1:00pm

Concurrent Sessions 1:00–5:00pm

Closing Banquet & Scholarship Auction 6:00pm

Schedule at a Glance

ConFerenCe raTes*

Full Conference Registration

Early Bird (by January 8, 2016)$385 US ($575 NZ)

Regular Registration$475 US ($710 NZ)

Full individual registration incudes all conference sessions; meals to include morning and afternoon teas, lunch, receptions, and closing banquet dinner; and an off-site study session including transportation and lunch. (Some off-site sessions may require an additional fee.)

regisTraTion desk hours

Sunday, April 38:00am–6:00pm

Monday, April 47:00am–5:00pm

Wednesday, April 67:00am–5:00pm

*Costs listed in US dollars. Rates in New Zealand dollars are dependent upon conversion rates.

Visas

When you arrive in Aotearoa New Zealand, you’ll need to be carrying a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date. Many people will qualify for visa-free entry, but depending on your country of origin, some will need to apply for a visa before they travel.

You do not need a visa or permit to visit Aotearoa New Zealand if you are:

• AnAotearoaNewZealand/AustraliacitizenorResidentPermitholder• AnAustraliancitizentravelingonanAustralianpassport• ABritishcitizenandorBritishpassportholderwhocanproduceevidence

of the right to reside permanently in the UK (you can stay up to six months)• AcitizenofacountrythathasavisawaiveragreementwithAotearoa

New Zealand (you can stay up to three months).

If you come from a visa-waiver country, you don’t need a visa to enter Aotearoa New Zealand, but you are still required to provide:

• Travelticketsorevidenceofonwardtravelarrangements• EvidencethatyoucansupportyourselfinAotearoaNewZealand

(approximately $1,000 NZ per month per person).

For more information about travel to and within Aotearoa New Zealand, visit the Aotearoa New Zealand tourism website (www.newzealand.com).

Be sure to check the travel requirements from your home country before making plans!

oFFiCial language

The official languages of Aotearoa New Zealand are English and Māori. Conference sessions and offerings will be conducted in English.

Important Information

hosT hoTel and oTher lodging

The conference will take place at the Amora Hotel, a hotel located in the heart of Wellington at 170 Wakefield Street. The Amora faces Wellington’s waterfront, with magnificent views of Wellington’s central business district and harbor. The National Museum of New Zealand–Te Papa Tongarewa, where we will hold some sessions, is a short walk away.

The conference room rate is $170 NZ per night for a king or twin deluxe room ($113 US at the time of this publication). Club suites are also available at $330 NZ ($220 US).

To make a reservation, please email the group coordinator at Amora at confadmin@wellington.amorahotels.com. You may also call to reserve a room: +64 4 473 3900. You will need to provide:

• Nameofguests• Datesofstay• Conferenceblockcode:NAIAPR16• Validcreditcarddetails(cardtype,number,andexpirydate)

You must make your reservation prior to March 1, 2016, but we encourage you to make your reservation as soon as you can as our room block may sell out. If our block fills, rooms will be subject to availability and may not be at the conference rate.

For those on a budget, we have several dormitory-style spaces reserved at the Nomads Capital backpackers hotel in downtown Wellington at $35 NZ ($23 US). Contact the NAI office for more information and to reserve a bed. There is also a YMCA located not far from Te Papa.

Parking There is limited availability for parking at the hotel. Please let the hotel know that you will need a space when booking your reservation. It is a valet serviceandthechargeis$35/night($23US).

WellingTon WeaTher

April in Aotearoa New Zealand can be beautiful and quite warm (in the range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, 18 Celsius), but it can also be cold and windy, especially if there is a southerly wind blowing! Wellington is known as “Windy Wellington,” so bring lots of layers and be prepared for wind and rain.

WhaT is aoTearoa?

Aotearoa, Māori for “land of the long white cloud,” was originally used in reference to the North Island of New Zealand, and is now widely known and accepted as the Māori name for the entire country. When referencing the country in this document, we use Aotearoa New Zealand.

Getting To Aotearoa New Zealand

air TraVel To aoTearoa neW Zealand

Several major carriers serve Wellington International Airport, located in the suburb of Rongotai in Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the majority of flights arrive in Auckland (AKL), Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city located towards the north end of the North Island. Domestic flights connect Auckland with Wellington. There is also train service from Auckland to Wellington.

From the United States, nonstop flights to Auckland are available from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. Nonstop flights are also available fromVancouver,BritishColumbia,Canada.StartinginDecember2015,AirNew Zealand will launch non-stop service from Houston. The average flight time is 12 hours.

Flights from Asia average about 12 hours, and flights from Europe are roughly 24 hours via Asia or the United States.

Getting from Wellington Airport to the Amora Hotel Several taxi and shuttle companies service the airport, with a fare to the city centre typically costing $25–$35 NZ ($17–$23 US) for a taxi and $14–$16 NZ ($9–$11 US) for a shuttle. Two Metlink bus routes service the airport. The major route is route 91 “Airport Flyer,” which connects the terminal with central Wellington and Wellington Railway Station.

WellingTon

Evening Events

sunday, april 3

Welcome Ceremony (Powhiri) and Reception Start the conference with a late-afternoon, traditional Māori ceremony of welcome at the National Museum of New Zealand–Te Papa Tongarewa. Meet fellow delegates from countries throughout the world and get an orientation on the conference schedule and events. The event ends at 6:30pm, in time to head out for dinner with new and old friends!

monday, april 4

Dine-Around Wellington Finish the first day of the conference and explore the city of Wellington on your choice of a

“Dine-Around.” We will coordinate groups of conference participants going to various restaurants downtown and by the harbor. This is your chance to see what Lonely Planet dubbed “the coolest little capital in the world!”

Tuesday, april 5

Explore Wellington As participants return from the various off-site sessions, you’ll have the evening free to explore Wellington, meet up with colleagues, and relax!

Wednesday, april 6

Closing Banquet and Scholarship Auction Eat, drink, and buy souvenirs! This event allows delegates to share representative items from their countries, while generating funds to bring delegates from around the world to next year’s event. Past auctions have included art objects, handcrafted jewelry, handwoven baskets, traditional clothing, books, and a wide variety of other items. Please bring an item from your country, region, or site.

Wellington at night

Pre-Conference Tours Looking for a break from your long flight before the conference? Join us on one of our two guided pre-conference trips. One is focused on exploring the land north of Auckland and highlighting its cultural, natural, and historical heritage. The other is focused on food tourism, while exploring an island close to the heart of Auckland. The fee for these tours includes one night lodging based on double occupancy (single supplement available), transportation and entrance fees for the guided tours, some meals, and the train to Wellington. If you plan to arrive before April 1, we can extend your hotelstayfor$60US/night($90NZ)per person.

Train-Only Option If you don’t have time to join us for day one of the itineraries, you are welcome to join us for the train portion on day two as we head for Wellington. The 11-hour journey from Auckland to Wellington on the Northern Explorer takes us through the heart of the North Island and some spectacular scenery. The train departs from Britomart in downtown Auckland at 7:45am arriving into Wellington at 6:25pm. Book through NAI for the group rate.

Auckland’s waterfront

esCape ouT WesT Day 1: Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and Piha We are escaping the city and heading west—to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The park is a vast, rugged, forested area with wild beaches, bays, gullies, sheer cliffs, caves, and wetlands. It’s punctuated by small communities (where they love good food, wine, coffee, and art), the Arataki VisitorCentre,andhistoricsiteslikethePihaRadarStation.Thistripaffords you astounding views, beach and bush walks, and some supping of good local fare. So come rub shoulders with the cool, hip, and arty in Titirangi, lick a fabulous Tip Top hokey pokey ice-cream, frolic on a black sand beach, wander in the lush rainforest and dine in a old winery.

Day 2: Train to Wellington On Saturday morning we will depart by train for Wellington in plenty of time for the conference start. Enjoy watching the North Island landscapes as we pass by small towns, lakes, mountains, volcanoes, and the farmlands that Aotearoa New Zealand is known for. We will arrive in Wellington early evening on Saturday in time for dinner or an early night if you are still catching up with the time zone changes!

Accessibility: Participants should be able to walk on a path for up to an hour, with some steep areas.

Suggested Gear: Weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, rain gear, camera, watch, swimsuit, and towel if you want to swim.

Start: 8:30am, Quest Hotel, Auckland, Friday, April 1

Finish: 6:25pm, Wellington Train Station, Saturday, April 2

Cost: $240 US ($360 NZ) including hotel in Auckland, guided tour, morning tea, and lunch on day one, train to Wellington on day two. Does not include airport transfers, breakfast or dinner on day one, dinner on day two, or personal purchases.

Pre-Conference Tour 1

Mercer Bay

island liFe Day 1: Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf Leaving from downtown Auckland, we will travel by ferry to the island where we will be met by a guide who will share with us the history and ecology of the island while we explore. Enjoy succulent fresh oysters, award-winning olive oil, and other locally produced specialty foods, accompanied by wines from some of the island’s top boutique vineyards. Your guide will provide an entertaining and informative commentary along the way.

You will visit an award-winning olive oil mill, followed by two vineyards, each offering a range of gourmet tastes to accompany their wines. Treats may include oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, the famous local green herb spread, and artisan cheeses.

Afterwards, enjoy a platter lunch at one of our top vineyard restaurants. Returning back to Auckland, you will have the evening free to wander around Auckland’s waterfront including the Basin Reserve where you can enjoy a dinner while enjoying views of the city.

Day 2: Train to Wellington On Saturday morning we will depart by train for Wellington in plenty of time for the conference start. Enjoy watching the North Island landscapes as we pass by small towns, lakes, mountains, volcanoes, and the farmlands that Aotearoa New Zealand is known for. We will arrive in Wellington early evening on Saturday (6:25pm) in time for dinner or an early night if you are still catching up with the time zone changes!

Start: 8:30am, Quest Hotel, Auckland, Friday, April 1

Finish: 6:25pm, Wellington Train Station, Saturday, April 2

Cost: $320 US ($480 NZ), including hotel in Auckland, ferry, train, Waiheke Island tour, and some meals. Does not include airport transfers, breakfast, or dinner on day one, dinner on day two, or personal purchases.

Pre-Conference Tour 2

Waiheke Island

Post-Conference Tour

Tour oF The souTh island: Wine, Whales, and WoW!Have some spare time after the conference is over and you aren’t ready to leave Aotearoa New Zealand yet? We cordially invite you on a guided trip through some South Island highlights. Explore some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best wine country. Take a boat trip from Kaikoura out to look for whales,orca,dolphinsandseabirdsincludingalbatross.VisittheMacKenziecountry to explore Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, home to Aoraki Mt. Cook—Aotearoa New Zealand’s highest peak and part of Wāhiponamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hike in the beech forest, a unique ecosystem to the southern hemisphere, while looking for hobbits! Well, we may not be lucky enough to see any hobbits on this trip, but we will be passing through a number of sites where Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. This will also be your chance to see penguins! We finish our trip in Dunedin exploring the Otago Peninsula, home to many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine mammals, the only mainland royal albatross colony in the world, and the iconic yellow-eyed penguin (pictured at right).

In addition to learning more about Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture and way of life, we will stop at a number of premier interpretive sites on our journey, and seek to understand some of the challenges it has faced in developing tourism experiences and interpretation.

Meeting Point Amora Hotel, Wellington April 7, 1:00pm

Ending Point Dunedin Hotel April 12, 9:00pm

Cost $1,400 US ($2,100 NZ) per person based on shared room (single supplement will apply if requested)

Includes All transportation from Wellington to end point in Dunedin, all accommodation, most meals, activities, and entrance fees.

Does Not Include Transfer to airport or flight from Dunedin to point of departure, personal expenses, and alcohol (other than wine tastings when part of the program)

Participants Minimum 10, Maximum 20

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

Special Sessions

indigenous ForumSunday, April 3 As interpretation gains new audiences around the world, so too does it seek to embrace a wider range of sources for stories and storytellers.

Storytelling is important to indigenous peoples and increasingly visitors want tohearourstories.Visitorsaredemandingauthenticityintheirexperiences.Their curiosity about the history and people of places they visit includes a desire to learn about the people who may have, or still do call that place home.

How can we ensure that indigenous interpretation is done in a culturally appropriate manner? How is the integrity of the source retained? What is the best type of training for indigenous interpreters and communities wanting to share their stories? What challenges do we face as indigenous interpreters and how have we, or might we overcome them? Is there an opportunity for us to create a global group to continue the conversation and sharing after this conference is over? These are just a few of the questions we hope to discuss during the forum.

We invite you to join New Zealand Māori Joe Harawira of Ngati Maniapoto, Ngai te Rangi, and Ngati Awa descent, and Choctaw American Indian Nancy Stimson who will be facilitating a day of conversation and the sharing of ideas for advancing indigenous interpretation. We invite all indigenous interpreters from around the globe to join this important and ongoing conversation.

This forum will be interactive and an opportunity for every voice to be heard. It is a great opportunity to meet, network, and be inspired by fellow interpreters work with indigenous interpretation. The forum and conversations can be continued throughout the week with specific sessions in the “Embracing Culture” track.

Cost: $65 US ($100 NZ)

Time: 10:00am–3:00pm

Where: National Museum of New Zealand–Te Papa Tongarewa, Rangimarie Room

Meals included: Brunch

Off-Site Study Sessions

Tuesday, april 5Choose from one of six field trips designed to feature interpretive sites or experiences. Check out what our colleagues in Aotearoa New Zealand are doing in the interpretive field.

Tongue Point

rimuTaka rail TrailFeatured Attractions: Kaitoke Regional Park, Fell Museum Take a mountain bike ride on Aotearoa New Zealand’s steepest rail trail. Join Department of Conservation (DOC) Historic Technical Advisor Richard Nester for a trip down the Rimutaka Rail Trail. The trail, which is jointly managed by DOC and the Greater Wellington Council, follows the trainrouteestablishedin1878betweentheHuttValleyandFeatherston.The third-rail Fell Mountain Railway System was used on the line as the Rimutaka Incline was too steep for the standard two-rail system. The train line was discontinued in 1955 when the Rimutaka Tunnel opened.

The rail trail features restored railway bridges and historic tunnels, along with a series of interpretation panels that tell some of the stories of the Rimutaka Incline during its heyday. We will be stopping at a number of key locations along the rail trail, including a viewing platform located between the Summit and Siberia tunnels. We will eat our lunch at the site of where the Cross Creek Railway Station and railway settlement existed until the line was closed.

After the ride, participants will do a bit of train spotting and take a tour of the Fell Museum in Featherston, where they will be able to see the world’s only surviving Fell locomotive (NZ Railways H 199) and enjoy afternoon tea.

We will wrap up the day by catching the train from Featherston Train Station to go back into Wellington. The train goes through the Rimutaka Tunnel, Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest tunnel.

Off-Site 1 Notes for Participants The rail trail is a gently graded 18-km mountain bike ride, but we recommend that participants are experienced mountain bicyclists. Bicycles, helmets, and torches (for the tunnels) will be provided. Participants are expected to provide any other riding gear, including rain gear, they require. We ask participants to bring their own water and a snack for morning tea. Lunch will be provided at Cross Creek and afternoon tea will be provided at the Fell Museum.

Cost $60 US ($90 NZ)

Time 8:30am

Meals Included Morning tea (snack not included), lunch, afternoon tea

Accessibility & Suggested Gear See “Notes for Participants” above.

Websites Department of Conservation Greater Wellington Fell Museum

maori CulTureFeatured Attractions: Te Ati Awa Community, Waiwhetu Marae, Te Papa Museum, Te Wharewaka Tapaere Join us as we meet with local iwi (tribes) to learn about their history and current activities. We will begin at the Whaiwetu marae (meeting house), which was established in the Lower Hutt in 1960 to provide a sense of community for Māori who were leaving their tribal lands and coming to the Wellington region to work. The marae was the lifelong dream of Ihaia Porutu Puketapu, who was a leader of Te Āti-Awa-No Runga-I-Te-Rangi. As a young man he envisioned building a marae for all people, Māori and pakeha (European New Zealanders), at “Te Upoko o Te Ika a Maui” (head of the fish of Maui—Wellington Harbour, North Island).

We will then take a guided walking tour of the Te Āti Awa community surrounding the marae, which includes homes built for the iwi, a Māori radio station, a community and health centre, a school, and shops. We’ll learn about the iwi’s effort to foster Māori culture and identity. We will share in a traditional hāngi, a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven, before getting on the bus to return to Wellington.

Our next stop will be Te Papa, where we will first explore the Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) exhibit. The treaty is the founding document of modern day Aotearoa New Zealand. A Te Papa host will discuss how this important document continues to shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity. While at Te Papa we will also meet with representatives of Ngāti Toa Rangatira to go through their current exhibit. Originally from the west coast of the North Island, in the 1820s the iwi were led by Te Rauparaha to the Wellington region. Ngāti Toa became the dominant iwi on the Kapiti coast and also had a presence on the top of the South Island, but in the 1840s the colonial government kidnapped Te Rauparaha and over time Ngāti Toa were forced to sell most of their land.

We will end our trip by walking over to Te Wharewaka Tapaere for afternoon tea (participants to pay for their own) and a brief tour of Te Raukura–Te Wharewaka o Pōneke (the waka house). Built in 2011, the Te Raukura houses Wellington’s two waka (canoes) and restores a Māori presence on Wellington’s waterfront.

Off-Site 2

Notes for Participants Morning tea and lunch to be provided on this field-trip. Afternoon tea can be purchased at Te Wharewaka Tapaere. At the Waiwhetu marae we ask that protocols be observed, including removal of shoes before entering. While vegetables are an important part of a hāngi and can be eaten as a vegetarian or vegan option, all food is cooked together in a pit.

Cost $60 US ($90 NZ)

Time 8:30am–4:30pm

Meals Included Morning tea, lunch

Accessibility All facilities are accessible

Suggested Gear Weather-appropriate clothing, walking shoes, camera

Waiwhetu MaraeTe Papa Museum

Fishy Tales WellingTon’s marine enVironmenT

Featured Attractions: Victoria University of Wellington Coastal Ecology Lab, Island Bay Marine Centre, Taputeranga Marine Reserve WewillstartourdayatVictoriaUniversityofWellingtonCoastalEcologyLabwhich sits across the road from Taputeranga Marine Reserve. We will take a guided tour with the facility’s director and hear from some of the students who are involved in various research projects at the lab. Participants will then have time to grab a cup of coffee from the waterfront café next door or walk across the road to get a closer look at the marine reserve.

We will then get on the bus to go the short distance to Wellington’s beloved Island Bay Marine Centre. Guides will take us on a tour of this small centre which is operated by the not-for-profit Wellington Marine Conservation Trust. For the past 18 years the centre has offered hands-on marine educational experiences to people of all ages.

After lunch we will gather on the beach and hear from DOC scientists and others about the Taputeranga Marine Reserve. Established in 2008, 854-hectare reserve offers an excellent opportunity for people to study and learn about the region’s marine environment. The reserve lies in the confluence of three oceanic water bodies and supports a diverse mix of plants and animals.

Field-trip participants will then have two options:

• Option1(weatherandtidedependent):GoonaguidedsnorkeltripledbyExperiencing Marine Reserves and the Island Bay Marine Centre. Snorkel equipment and wetsuits can be rented through the centre during lunch.

• Option2:WewillloadthebustogotothetheTeKopahouReserveentranceway and visitor centre (which won the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects’ George Malcolm Supreme Award for its outstanding design and execution in 2015), before walking to two scientific reserves: Red Rocks (Pari-whero) and Sinclair Head (Te Rimurapa). Red Rocks are the result of undersea volcanic eruptions over 200 million years ago and Sinclair Head is a winter haul-out for Aotearoa New Zealand fur seals (May to November). Along the way to the scientific reserve we will also get a glimpse of four privately owned baches (beach houses) that were built at the turn of the last century and are registered in the Aotearoa New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The walk is along a wide, gentle multi-use track. Round-trip walking time: 1.5 hours.

All participants will then be picked up by the bus and taken back to the Amora Hotel.

Off-Site 3

Notes for Participants Since we will spend much of the day outside, we encourage participants to bring rain gear. Participants who would like to take option 1 will be able to hire equipment on the day of the field-trip (to be paid for by participant). Participants who would like to take option 2 are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes and to carry water.

Cost Included in registration fee

Optional snorkeling = $65 NZ ($43 US)

Time 8:30am – 5:00pm

Meals Included Morning tea, lunch

Suggested Gear Comfortable walking shoes, rain gear, water, camera

Websites Island Bay Marine Education Centre

VictoriaUniversityofWellingtonCoastal Ecology Lab

Taputeranga Marine Reserve

Friends of Taputeranga Marine Reserve

Island Bay Snorkel Trail

Red Rocks

Coastal Ecology Lab

Island Bay Marine Centre

Island Bay Beach

WellingTon naTure TourFeatured Attractions: Wellington Botanic Gardens, Zealandia, Wellington Zoo On this tour, we will get the opportunity to learn about some of Wellington’s best nature-based attractions.

The tour will start Otari-Wilton’s Bush. Otari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve is the only public botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants. The garden is a unique plant sanctuary and forest reserve and includes 100 hectares of native forest and five hectares of plant collections. Some of Wellington’s oldest trees are here, including an 800-year-old rimu. It is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.

Next we will head to Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary for a tour of the valley and learn about the history of this stunning wildlife sanctuary and their ongoing conservation work. Listen for native bird calls and keep your eyes peeled to meet some of these natives up close.

After the tour of Zealandia, we will have lunch at Rata Café. Located at Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary, the café looks out over the beautiful lake and forest. A curious kākā or two might even join the lunch.

The final stop of the day will be Wellington Zoo. On this part of the tour we will see the new “Meet the Locals: He Tuku Aroha” area of Wellington Zoo and get an up-close look at native wildlife rehabilitation at “The Nest: Te Kōhanga.” We will also have the rare opportunity to meet a tuatara and learn about these prehistoric reptiles.

Off-Site 4

Cost Included in registration fee

Time 8:30am–5:00pm

Meals Included Lunch

Accessibility All facilities are accessible.

Suggested Gear Weather-appropriate clothing, walking shoes, camera

Websites Wellington Botanic Gardens Zealandia Wellington Zoo

Zealandia

kapiTi island naTure TourFeatured Attractions: Kapiti Nature Reserve, Kapiti Marine Reserve VisitKapitiIslandforauniqueopportunitytoviewarangeofAotearoaNewZealand’s most endangered and rare birds in a completely natural setting.

Visitorsareabletoexperienceuncontrollednaturalforestregenerationwithits accompanying wildlife. The Kapiti Marine Reserve adjoins the Kapiti Nature Reserve to provide a unique mix of protected marine and land environments.

Kapiti Island Nature Tours is owned and operated by a local Māori family, the Barretts, who have been living on Kapiti Island since the 1820s. They have been hosting visitors since their grandmother welcomed trampers and whalers into her home in the 1920s and 1930s. We will be greeted by an experienced nature guide for an introductory briefing to the island and a guided nature walk. You will have time to explore on your own and have the opportunity to engage with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most beautiful and endangered birds like takahe, kākā, weka, tīeke (saddleback), kereru, kokako, hihi, and toutouwai (robin).

Make the most of the richness and wonder of Kapiti Island with this day tour and experience a unique balance of conservation, ecology, and local human history. Sit down with the Barrett family and enjoy a delicious cooked lunch at the lodge, surrounded by one of the most rich and diverse nature reserves in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Off-Site 5

Cost $110 US ($165 NZ)

Time 8:00am–4:00pm

Meals Included Lunch

Suggested Gear Weather-appropriate clothing, walking shoes, camera

Websites Kapiti Island Nature Reserve Kapiti Island Nature Tours

Kereru

Kaka– –

CreaTiVe CapiTal TourFeatured Attractions: Sculpture Trail, Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop Experience, Dowse Art Museum, Writers Walk Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand, is famous for two things, the wind and its creative people. We’ll sample a bit of both and squeeze in some great food and some literary gems as well.

On a lick of land between the city proper and some southern suburbs is a sculpture trail with a difference. These are all kinetic wind-powered sculptures that tip, spin, swivel, sway, keen, and “sigh” (and light up at night). Among others we’ll visit the Zephyrometer, actually a wind

“measurer,” and Pacific Grass at the final roundabout.

We’ll then venture forth to the birthplace of hobbits, orcs, and elves; for Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop Experience. The creative process and innovative techniques used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit will berevealedbyaguide/crewmemberandyou’llseeandhandlepropsandmodels used in the movies. We will also visit the Weta Cave and shop.

Next stop is the splendid Dowse Art Museum, a 15-minute harbourside drive out of Wellington. We’ll have a luscious lunch at Café Reka (in Māori, it means sweet and tasty).

Courtney Johnston, director at The Dowse, will then welcome you and offeralittleinsightintohowthisgallery/museumkeepspacewithculturalebbs and flows. Courtney is a longtime blogger and arts commentator with Radio New Zealand, and is avid about art, science, design, and the web.

The Dowse is known for its cutting-edge exhibitions and it swerves between arts and craft. You’ll have 45 minutes to explore the exhibitions.

On our return to Wellington we’ll wander along the Writers Walk, where you’ll get a taste of the work of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s finest wordsmiths. Quotes and excerpts come in a sculptural form along the picturesque waterfront. These are interpretive tributes to the city and sea.

Off-Site 6

Notes for Participants Cobham Drive, site of the wind sculptures, is very windy. Delegates will need a wind jacket. Weta Workshop and The Dowse both have gift shops for buying souvenirs. (A miniature Hobbit, perhaps?)

The Cobham Drive walk and Writers Walk are both very short easy walks on flat terrain—unusual for Wellington. All other transport for the day is by bus.

Cost Included in the registration fee

Time 9:00am–4:00pm

Meals Included Lunch

Accessibility & Suggested Gear See “Notes for Participants” above.

Websites Dowse Art Museum Wellington Writers Walk Wellington Sculpture Trust

Sculpture Trail

Weta Workshop Experience