Blueberry

Mamaku Blue

Did you know there’s more than one type of blueberry?

And what do green gooseberries taste like?

You can experience it all at Mamaku Blue’s Blueberry Experience.

“On your road-trip on to or from Rotorua, you’ll see the turno towards Mamaku Blue,” says farm operators Phillip and Michaela Frost.

“We’re in the mountains so you might be welcomed by colder weather – but you’ll also be captured by the landscape shaped by volcanic eruption many years ago.”

Mamaku Blue is home to a family business which was started more than 40 years ago by Harry and Anne Frost. e couple began growing blueberries in the early-1980s and exporting them. When Cyclone Bola damaged fruit, they trialled wine-making –which diverted into successful juice-making with careful procedures so all the goodness of blueberries are squeezed and captured in 1L, 750ml, and 250ml bottles.

“You can try it yourself and comment back to us, as many of our customers review the amazing bene ts of our Pure Blueberry Juice,” says Phillip.

“You are welcome to visit the Mamaku Blue Complex, where we o er tours, functions, a cafe, and a retail shop.”

As such Mamaku Blue has grown into an amazing outlet for blueberries and gooseberries – but also for the unique range of blueberry and gooseberry products made exclusively from berries grown in volcanic ash 600 metres above sea level.

With Phillip and Michaela, Anne and Harry’s legacy carries on – educating and helping customers with the small but powerful ‘star fruit’ – blueberries! “Come and visit us, you’ll be surprised by our blueberry venture.”

A nity Cruises

See the stunning sounds of the South Island and get an up-close look of other-worldly hidden coves with A nity Cruises.

Travelling with A nity is not your typical cruise experience, says A nity Cruises’ Tracey Green.

“[With A nity] it’s small group touring so it’s unique, it’s fun, it explores parts of New Zealand that you wouldn’t normally get an opportunity to explore.” e A nity vessel itself was purpose-built in Picton and includes eight cabins for a maximum of 16 guests.

“It’s a boat where you get to know the other people on-board so you start to make friends and it’s just a beautiful experience – but the thing I love the most is watching people get on there from busy lives and turn into big kids.” e A nity holds tours around three iconic spots down south – Fiordland, Stewart Island and Marlborough Sounds.

Tracey says their scenic cruises in Marlborough Sounds, which highlight Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds, is the perfect summer experience. “Guests are able to go swimming and quite often we see marine life swimming around the boat. We get to see dolphins and it’s just a really lovely time of year.”

And if people aren’t out swimming or taking a walk in the great outdoors, they’re well looked after on-board.

“We take a lot of pride making sure this is the experience of a lifetime for people and that they take home beautiful memories of the regions they’ve visited… it’s our priority that every guest has a good time.”

$2,839