One tourism package to pull them all

Te Puia has joined forces with Hobbiton Movie Set Tours and Waitomo Glowworm Caves as part of a joint tourism venture which will provide an insight into the wonders and movie magic of New Zealand's Central North Island.

Called Experience the Trilogy, the package is a new reason to experience three of New Zealand's most iconic visitor attractions.

Te Puia general manager sales and marketing, Kiri Atkinson-Crean, said Experience the Trilogy was likely to appeal to international and domestic visitors and marked an innovative partnership among three of New Zealand's leading tourism companies. She said such partnerships would help encourage visitors to extend their stay in the Central North Island.

"We are always looking for innovative ways to draw visitors here and have them stay longer and Experience the Trilogy will appeal to all ages," Ms Atkinson-Crean said.

Visitors could start their trilogy at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, the location of The Shire set that featured in The Lord of the Rings, as well as the soon to be released Hobbit movie. Hobbiton Movie Set has been meticulously maintained on its 4ha site.

Next could be Te Puia in Rotorua, the historic home of tourism in New Zealand. At Te Puia, visitors would experience the living earth - the bubbling, steaming geothermal wonders of Te Whakarewarewa Valley and including the Pohutu Geyser. At dusk, they would enjoy an evening of Maori story-telling, entertainment and food.

And finally, to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Ruakuri Cave. At Waitomo, guests head to the glowworm caves by boat via a subterranean river. Ruakuri Cave is a descent deeper underground to see crystal limestone formations that are millions of years old.

"Today's visitors expect more, want to learn more, experience more and discover more. Experience the Trilogy will take them beyond the obvious, giving them a very special experience both below and above the earth." Ms Atkinson-Crean said.