Northland Resorts Showcase Unique Ambience, Warmth

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay Of Islands To Showcase Northland’s Unique Ambience & Warmth

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Limited (NZX: MCK) is pleased to announce that work has commenced on a $6 million extension of Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands. The hotel, operated as a joint venture operation with the Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board would be expanded by thirty-five rooms to a total to 180 rooms and suites.

MCK Managing Director, Mr. B K Chiu said that the extension reflected increased demand from the company's customers. "Our customers recognise that Northland is an increasingly attractive and vibrant destination. The last few years have seen positive growth in tourist numbers as well as increased conference and incentive business as more people discover the hidden secrets in the region and we believe that this is a trend that will continue", he said.

He also noted that the expansion represented an additional commitment by the hotel joint venture partners MCK and Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board to the tourism infrastructure in the region.

The architecture of the additions reflect the uniquely sub-tropical Northland ambience and warmth. The majority of the new rooms will have views over the water to Russell whilst those facing west will enjoy sunsets over the pohutukawa trees and gardens of the hotel. The entrance to the hotel is also being redesigned and will have an all weather coach facility as well as improved wheelchair access.

Prior to commencing work, local and regional groups were consulted and Hotel General Manager David Perks said that the feedback received had been very positive to date. The new additions will be completed before Christmas 2007.

Mr. Chiu also said that MCK had negotiated an extension of the management agreement for the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands with the hotel joint venture until the end of the current term of its lease. "I am very pleased that a productive and co-operative working relationship with the Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board is able to continue", he said.

Sir Graham Latimer, Chairman of the Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board, was also enthusiastic about the continuation of the hotel’s management by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Limited.

“Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board have benefited from working with Millennium Hotels and Resorts through the joint venture over many years. Our investment in the joint venture was not without initial criticism but the resulting dividends have allowed us to make substantial educational grants to our people and given the trust board a very satisfactory financial position. In my view, it has been a wholly worthwhile investment and we are therefore very much looking forward to strengthening that relationship still further and continuing to develop and promote tourism for the benefit of both Tai Tokerau and Northland”, he said.

ENDS

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