Media Information November 30, 2007
Mike Pero Invests In Rarotonga Hilton
New Zealand Businessman Mike Pero is one of the first investors in the new Hilton Rarotonga Resort & Spa - scheduled to open in 2009. The new resort is set to become Rarotonga’s most deluxe resort offering, comprising
160 guest rooms and 50 apartments.
A Cook Islander himself, Pero has been visiting Rarotonga for close to 35 years. He was quick to see both the investment
opportunity and the potential benefits for the local economy.
“Rarotonga is one of the few untouched parts of the world. The natural beauty of the Island and its lagoon is truly
stunning,” says Pero. “The Hilton Resort & Spa will be a world class complex and will complement the surroundings and fit very sympathetically into the natural
environment.
“The development will also be great for the local economy, as this will be the single biggest asset for Rarotonga and
its people. The development will open up a whole new market for 5-6 star tourists on the island.
“I am very proud of my Cook Island heritage and I have my own family land on the island, but the Hilton proposition was
too good. It’s absolutely beautiful! It is a unique opportunity for non Cook Islanders to own their own piece of
Rarotonga.
“Rarotonga is only about 3 or 4 hours from New Zealand depending on where you are flying from. I can leave Christchurch
at 7.00 pm after work on a Friday, mid winter, and be up there by 1.00 am in the morning, looking forward to a week of
30-35 degrees on the beach. I can chill out for a week and be back on Saturday the following week. So its easy to get a
good 6 nights away (daily
Pero points out that Rarotonga is in the same time zone, has the same currency, same language, similar cultures and
understanding. NZ Law is predominant and they have no armed forces and are definitely not politically motivated.
“The investment proposition works for me – no hassles and a very reasonable return on investment. I can use the
facilities for 4 weeks a year for my own use. The rest of the time it’s paying its way.”
The Hilton-managed resort is offering a number of investment opportunities ranging from one to three bedrooms units, all
of which are fully furnished. With a strong Rarotongan community living in New Zealand, and the fact that 58% of
visitors to Rarotonga are from New Zealand the new Resort is expected to be a popular investment choice and holiday
accommodation facility for Kiwis.
A replica of one of the 48 sq m hotel suites built and furnished to Hilton’s exacting standards has been opened in
Auckland to give potential investors a taste of what they can expect at the new development.
The Resort will be located in the south of the island, along an immaculate white sand beach and near to a lagoon popular
among tourists for boating and snorkelling. The property will feature fresh water pools and an inland salt water lagoon.
The hotel will be surrounded by 25 acres of private park grounds and natural streams, with breath-taking vistas of the
South Pacific Ocean as well as picturesque farmlands and pawpaw plantations.
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