» Ariari Lodge Taranaki

Unique New Zealand Culture Creating World Class Experiences

Admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:19:30 +0000

According to John Leuthart and Tim Walker of Tourism New Zealand, our unique New Zealand cultures have the power to create the kind of world-class experiences our visitors are increasingly looking for. “Our country and each region is distinct. So as well as focusing on identifying existing world class products, by enhancing, growing and developing the cultural products and experiences that reveal a region’s distinctiveness—while ensuring regional differentiation—we add greater value, attract more visitors, increase spend and generate greater experiences for visitors—including our people, New Zealanders.”

Ariari Lodge – Great Way to Experience Taranaki

Admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:52:50 +0000

Taranaki, on the North Island’s west coast, juts into the Tasman Sea and is half way between Auckland and Wellington.

Mount Taranaki is ever-present in this region—a huge, dramatic volcanic cone with a snowy top. The mount is a spiritual and physical force in this region. It is the source of over 50 rivers and streams, the home of many botanically unique plants, and the subject of many stories and legends. On sighting the mountain in 1642, explorer Abel Tasman said it was “the noblest hill I’ve ever seen”.

In the Maori language, Taranaki means ‘Gliding Peak’, a name that ties to the legend of how the mountain came to its location. As the story goes, Taranaki once lived with the North Island’s other great volcanoes (Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe) but was banished for falling in love with Tongariro’s wife, a smaller volcano called Pihanga. Taranaki went west towards the setting sun and carved out the Whanganui River as he went.

The Egmont National Park encompasses the mountain and the land around it. Hiking is the thing to do here. Lush rainforest covers the foothills of the mountain, but the landscape changes the higher you go—from tall rimu and kamahi trees at lower altitudes through dense subalpine shrubs to an alpine herb field with some plants unique to the park.

The forest on Mount Taranaki’s middle slopes is sometimes known as ‘Goblin Forest’ because of the gnarled shape of the trees and the thick swathes of trailing moss. In winter, Mount Taranaki becomes a place to ski.

The area around the sunny city of New Plymouth is well-known for its black sand surfing beaches and glorious parks and gardens, particularly the dazzling array of rhododendrons and azaleas on display in spring. Many magnificent private gardens are open for public viewing year round.

In contrast with its outdoorsy lifestyle, New Plymouth has an artsy side—it’s home to the acclaimed Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Zealand’s only contemporary art museum with a permanent collection.

Ariari Lodge Corporate Events: Benefits of Team Building

Admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:51:51 +0000

Ariari Lodge in Taranaki is the perfect location for corporate and team building activities. The term “team building” has become a buzzword in recent years, and has many connotations. In terms of corporate development, team-building exercises are important not for the immediate experience of the activities performed by the team, but also for the group skills, communication and bonding that result. The activity be it an obstacle course or nature based activities is merely the means to the end: a high-impact learning experience. Team-building programmes provide realistic experiences that empower individuals to contribute to common goals. The success of most organisations depends on the ability of individuals to build effective teams.

The main goals of team-building are to improve productivity and motivation. Taking employees out of the office helps groups break down political and personal barriers, eliminate distractions, and have fun. The benefits of team-building programs are so significant that many corporations have incorporated team building strategies into their standard training curriculum.

Some of these benefits include:

Improves morale and leadership skills
Finds the barriers that thwart creativity
Clearly defines objectives and goals
Improves processes and procedures
Improves organisational productivity
Identifies a team’s strengths and weaknesses
Improves the ability to problem solve