12 minute read
Under FUNstruction
Skyline’s Luge Makeover Advertorial
For the ultimate thrill, few attractions beat the thrill of luging down a mountain. And, if you’re a fan of Skyline Rotorua’s, you’re one step closer to a new adrenaline fix, with three new and improved luge track options coming this summer. As part of the ongoing evolution of the Luge experience, the worldfamous advanced track is ‘under FUNstruction’ while Skyline Rotorua have been hard at work, reenvisioning the park’s classic luge adventure into a more exhilarating ride – making the fun last longer. The existing 550 metre track will trade its thrilling ride for 1500 metres of three new tracks, with more corners, tunnels, 360-degree corkscrews, and multiple pathways
to the bottom. It will be a first-ofits-kind immersive luge experience in New Zealand. In addition, all tracks will be decked with new lighting,
which means night luge options will be available on every path. Details of the project were unveiled earlier this year in celebration of 35 years since Rotorua’s luge track opened as the first commercial luge operation in the world, and the development of luge carts for the rest of the world. “Since 1985 when Skyline Rotorua became the first luge site in the world to operate commercially, visitors both young and old have grown to love this must-do iconic kiwi adventure – the luge,” says Skyline Rotorua’s general manager, Andrew Jensen. “I’m thrilled that this exciting project will refresh and improve the experience for our customers over the many years to come,” he adds. The upgrade comes in the midst of a challenging period for wider tourism, however it will provide much additional value to an already strong domestic customer base. “It goes without saying that due to the impacts of COVID-19, the past 12 months have been extremely difficult to navigate, but we’re incredibly optimistic about the future due to the resilience shown by not only the people of Rotorua but all New Zealanders as recognised internationally. We’ve been humbled by the support of domestic visitors during this time and see these developments as a way for Kiwis to do something new here on site.” The project blessing took place last year in partnership with local Ngati Whakaue kaumatua and other iwi representatives throughout the planning and consenting processes, while archaeologists have overseen the initial earthworks stage of the build. Skyline is very grateful for their support and continued guardianship of the land Skyline Rotorua occupies on the side of Mt Ngongotahā. The scenic and intermediate tracks will continue to operate throughout the construction period, so you can still get your fix while you wait.
Digital Marketing For Your eCommerce
Website
So, you have yourself a welldesigned, conversion hungry, lead-generating eCommerce website… so where are all the customers? No matter what you’ve been told, just because you’ve built it does not mean they will come. Getting traffic to your website and maximising sales requires some work. While sales revenue is an obvious goal, conversion rate, brand awareness and customer engagement are all measures of success you may want to track. Setting these goals and then using analytics to assign a value to them is what will allow you to test and measure your campaign ROI (return on investment). If you don’t set realistic goals and track them throughout, it will be increasingly difficult to know how successful your marketing efforts really are. Here are some channels with the most proven track records when it comes to ROI and ROAS (return on ad spend):
Email marketing
Email is still an effective way to connect with customers. It allows you to build a subscriber list, personalise content and follow up – think, birthday vouchers, abandoned cart reminders, and deals to loyal customers.
“Email is the killer mobile experience everyone seems to be forgetting about, and many marketers stopped putting content in the inbox in favour of blogging, so there’s a massive opportunity to “zig” when everyone is zagging.” – Ryan Deiss, Founder and CEO of DigitalMarketer.com and Founder of RivalBrands.com.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Aka Paying For Google Ads
With over 75% of all desktop search taking place on Google search, it’s really the only search engine in town worth worrying about. SEM is the pay-per–click version of search and returns consistently high ROI. If you need results for your new website NOW, this is it. If done wrong, you’ll burn quickly through click budget and get poor results. The surest road to successful ROI is to partner with an agency that is an official Google Partner, so it’s done right and you realise results faster.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) – being liked by Google
Google is #1 because it delivers the most relevant content to its users – so your goal is simple – have the right (relevant) content that people are searching for on your site. The top 10 (first page) search results on Google account for 92% of all traffic.
go to the first ranked search result. Traffic drops off by 95% on page two. So, it’s pretty clear the money’s on page one. SEO is a medium to long term strategy that yields great results with a solid content strategy, frequently posting relevant content, good metadata practice, proper use of alt tags and backlinks – all factors to achieving a good search rank.
Google display ads
This is a network of over two million sites that serve Google Display Ads. These are different than Google Ads displayed based on keyword searches. Display Ads appear on any number of websites like news, video streaming sights, in–apps and countless other places. They’re great for remarketing and brand awareness.
Instagram shopping
Designed for mobile experience and an image-oriented approach, Instagram is the social media channel of choice for the millennial with a massive 64% of its userbase comprised of the 18–34 age range. Instagram now has a marketplace which caters right through to
purchase. If you make or sell a physical product, this should be a channel that you are using. Your existing website can be set up to push a content feed, meaning you only must maintain one platform while enjoying the benefits of an extra channel.
For digital marketing strategy and advice contact us: P: 0800 90 2522 W: ninetyblack.com Facebook
Facebook is the preferred social media platform of pretty much everyone else online, from Baby Boomers and Generation X to Xennial; and with 2.23 billion monthly active users, it is still the number one social media platform. Facebook is a treasure trove for
eCommerce and allows probably THE most tailored paid advertising. You can use Facebook Ads at any stage of the sales funnel. From brand awareness to remarketing with Facebook pixel, you can’t afford not to be there. Another perk, targeting audiences by hobbies and interests – a ridiculously powerful tool not available with most digital marketing.
ninetyblack have been a breath of fresh air. Innovation, creativity, and analysis are their ‘bread and butter’ fundamentals. What sets them apart? Natural listeners and genuine care for the client journey
FULL-SERVICE BRAND, WEB AND MARKETING AGENCY
Lamb with Honey and Pistachios The best of field & farm
Spring has lamb written all over it. And, when paired with honey, it’s a sure-fire flavoursome combo to satisfy a crowd and kickstart warmer, lighter evenings to come.
What you’ll need . . .
Serves four-to-six
• 2-3 kilo lamb shoulder or leg (bone in) • Five cloves of garlic, diced • Half a cup of firmly packed brown sugar • Half a cup of red wine vinegar • Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon • Rind of an orange (or the like) • Salt and pepper • Drizzle of olive oil For the dressing . . .
• Half a cup of honey
• 1 tablespoon red wine
vinegar • Half a cup of pistachios (toasted and halved) • 2 cups of chopped, fresh parsley (or a mix of parsley and flat-leaf parsley)
How to . . .
First up, turn your oven to 180°C – or 160°C fan-forced. Mix together the garlic, sugar, vinegar, rind and cinnamon in a bowl. Place the lamb in a baking tray and rub the mix all over – pressing it into every nook and cranny – season with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Cover the tray with foil – tightly – and roast for two-and-half hours. Then, remove the foil and roast for an additional 30 minutes – it should golden up! Whilst you are waiting for the lamb to cook, make the dressing. Simply place the honey, vinegar, pistachios and parsley and stir to combine. Season with a little salt and pepper as required and drizzle over your cooked lamb! To complete the meal, serve your honeyed lamb with a herby orzo salad!
Spoilt for choice in Whakatāne
As anticipation builds for longer sunfilled days, you’ll be yearning to get outdoors. And if your ideal scenario is somewhere with diverse natural environments within a stones–throw of each other, you best get your skates on to Whakatāne. Outdoor activities abound in the Whakatāne district, with the morning’s quandary on whether to hit the beach, harbour or venture out to sea, or go for native bush, lakes and rivers. The thing is, it’s a difficult decision as all of this is within easy walking or driving distance. The Whakatāne district is renowned for its superb walking, tramping and biking trails, both coastal with incredible ocean vistas, and awe-inspiring tracks through ancient native forests. Nga Tapuwae o Toi (Footprints of Toi) walkway, connecting Whakatāne township and Ōhope Beach, offers a diverse natural landscape and spectacular scenery to rival any of New Zealand’s great walks. The 16 kilometre loop is achievable as a half-day walk, or enjoy in sections suitable for the whole family. The trail includes pa sites of major historic significance, diverse native forest, spectacular pohutukawa stands, unsurpassed coastal views, seabird colonies and native birds in abundance. The trail passes through Ōtarawairere Bay – the hidden jewel of the Whakatāne-Ōhope area. Pohutukawa trees loom over a sandy beach of crushed seashells, and the warm waters of the Pacific lap quietly against the shore. KG Kayaks offer guided tours following the coastal section of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi. Departing from the Whakatāne Heads or West End at Ōhope Beach, take in the spectacular scenery and stop for morning tea in one of the secluded bays. West End is also where locals love to surf. With a sheltered, gentle break, it’s the perfect spot for beginners but you’ll also find the, ‘can’t get enough’, surfing set here too. Throw out a Shakka to the locals – they’ll love it. Whakatane has some brilliant bike trails, with something for every skill level, ranging from an easy family cruise to
@West End, Ōhope Beach
adventurous mountain biking. Take the family to Onepu Mountain Bike Park, Burma Road, Ōhope Harbourside Trail or the Mōtū Dunes Trail in Ōpōtiki. Or meander on the Whakatāne River Warren Cole cycleway, a flat, paved ride that skirts the town. And if golf is your thing on holiday, you’re spoilt for choice. A range of both international-level coastal courses and picturesque country clubs offer the chance to explore the diverse scenery of the district. Ōhope International Golf Club is rated one of the top links courses in New Zealand and 10 minutes from town, the Whakatāne Golf Club championship level course offers another spectacularly scenic game.
As you might concur Whakatāne is a popular spot, so plan your trip now at Whakatane.com
Moutohorā: Island Sanctuary
Cruise to one of NZ’s most restricted wildlife sanctuaries. Experience a haven for birds, a seal colony, hot water beach, and the island’s cultural history. Opotiki Museum
A journey into the past. Three floors consisting of heritage, agriculture and Māori taonga displays, plus Shalfoon's 100 year old grocery and hardware store building.
Save 10% on the adult price using
promo code henry10
15 The Strand, Whakatāne 0800 733 529 moutohora.co.nz
Mataatua Wharenui
Discover Mataatua Wharenui: a fully carved Māori ancestral house, with a personal, interactive, and genuine immersion into Māori culture, and an award-winning light show experience.
Entry $10 adults, $5 child, $25 per family and gold card $8
123 Church St, Opotiki 07 315 5193 opotikimuseum.org.nz
The Comm
The Comm. is the home of Good George Brewing in Whakatāne. We bring great Beer, Cider, awesome food and great times to the sunshine Capital of New Zealand. Awakeri Hot Springs
Nestled amongst acres of bushland, and perfectly situated to take advantage of the Bay of Plenty’s lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches. Enjoy a secluded holiday, relaxing at the pools, or as a day trip.
Accommodation also available
1363 State Highway 30, Awakeri 07 304 9117 awakerisprings.co.nz
Javaman Cafe
A relaxed, family-friendly cafe in the heart of Whakatane. Enjoy great food and coffee with a full café menu, daily specials and prepared cabinet food.
Mention “henry” to receive a
15% discount – Direct bookings only
105 Muriwai Drive Whakatāne 07 308 4271 mataatua.com Check out our daily rituals.
45 The Strand, Whakatāne 07 307 0449 thecomm.co.nz
Mata Brewery
Experience our award winning brewery in action while you relax and enjoy a Mata beer or cider from our 12 taps. Try one of our delicious stone cooked pizzas. We host regular live music & events. Awakeri Rail Adventures
Your adventure begins in Awakeri, travelling at a leisurely 25 km/hr along a piece of historic railway, the Taneatua Branch line.
Brewery tours available by prior booking.
17 Gateway Crescent, Whakatane 07 308 9644 matabeer.nz
Mention henry to receive a
10% discount on any fare
State Highway2, Awakeri, Whakatāne 0800 5374724 awakerirail.co.nz We cater for gluten free and keto, check out our blackboard specials
214 The Strand Whakatane 027 378 1053 javamancafe.co.nz
Whakatane Astronomical Society
The Whakatane Observatory, established in 1960 is the oldest in the Bay of Plenty. Visitors are most welcome from 7:30pm on Tuesday and Friday nights. Other nights for groups by arrangement. All reliant on weather.
