16 April 2019
Qualmark has announced 41 finalists for the inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards. Over 100 entries were
received for this year’s awards, which Qualmark General Manager, Gregg Anderson says is a credit to the high standard of
experiences on offer by Qualmark Gold accredited operators.
The 2019 winners will be announced by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Kelvin Davis at parliament on 1 May 2019, forming part
of Qualmark’s annual programme of events.
“Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official mark of quality and through the 100% Experience Awards our members have
highlighted the wide range of exceptional New Zealand experiences on offer,” says Mr Anderson.
“The finalists have demonstrated how tourism businesses can support not only a positive visitor experience, but also a
positive host community experience of tourism through the principles manaakitanga, tiaki and whānau.”
The Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award finalists: Abel Tasman Kayaks and Freedom Rentals: 3 Day Classic
Auckland Sea Kayaks: Sunset Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island Auckland Seaplanes: Rangitoto and Islands Scenic Flight
Active Adventures: Ultimate South Island Adventure 'Rimu' trip Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari: Whale & Dolphin Conservation Cruise Brancott Estate Cellar Door and Restaurant: Brancott Estate Vineyard Cycle Tour Bush & Beach 2013 Ltd: Wilderness Experience Black Cat Cruises: Swimming with Dolphins Camp Glenorchy: Camp Glenorchy – Eco
Retreat Craggy Range Vineyards: Craggy Range Accommodation Discover Waitomo: Ruakuri Cave Dive! Tutukaka Limited: Full
gear hire certified diver, 2 dives Franz Josef Glacier Guides: Glacier Heli Hike Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands: The
Cream Trip GCH Aviation: Kaikoura Whales Haka Tours Ltd: 16 Day Amplified New Zealand Tour GO Rentals: Car Rental Hanmer
Springs Thermal Pools & Spa: Adult Entry Hobbiton Movie Set Tours: The Evening Banquet Tour Kaitiaki Adventures: White Water Rafting Okere
Falls Kiwi Experience: The Whole Kit & Caboodle Lakestone Lodge: Lakestone Lodge Accommodation Marlborough Tour Company: Seafood Odyssea Cruise Millbrook
Resort: Millbrook Resort Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by INFLITE: Ultimate Alpine Experience - Helicopter & Ski Plane Combo Owen River Lodge: Luxury fly fishing lodge experience Rainbow Springs Nature Park: Day Pass Real
Journeys: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Real Journeys: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch Redcliffe Homestead: Bed and
Breakfast Accommodation Redwoods Treewalk: Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights Experience Rotorua Canopy Tours: The
Ultimate Canopy Tour SkyScape: SkyScape - Accommodation experience of sleeping in nature Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort:
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences: The Rees Hotel TIME Unlimited Tours: Auckland Maori Luxury Tour Ultimate Hikes: Milford Track
Guided Walk Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd: Whale Watch® Tour Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park: Wilsons Abel Tasman 3-Day
Kayak & Walk YHA New Zealand: YHA Aoraki Mt Cook Ziptrek Ecotours: Kea tour The judging panel is made up of tourism experts
from Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand: Former Chair of Tourism New Zealand, Dame Kerry Prendergast; Tourism New
Zealand Chief Executive, Stephen England-Hall; Tourism New Zealand Chief Financial Officer, Sue Parcell; Air New Zealand
Head of Sustainability, Lisa Daniell, and; Air New Zealand Sustainability Advisory Panel and Director of the Griffith
Institute for Tourism, Dr. Susanne Becken.
Judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate excellence in visitor hosting and a commitment to Tiaki - Care for
New Zealand, a tourism industry initiative to encourage travellers to care for people, place and culture while in New
Zealand.
For more information visit www.qualmark.co.nz
ends