holiday_2014

35 / 48

New bathrooms offer the extensive use of
stone, luxurious rainforest showers and, in
selected rooms, deep, free-standing baths.
Manager Scott now plans to turn his attention
to the refurb of the outdoors including the
preservation of the trees. “Who would have
known that these heritage trees were nestled in
the depths of our property?”
Precautions will be taken to protect the kauri
and other valuable trees. Scott envisions a path
or boardwalk to take guests through a journey
into the property’s native bush.
The park is already home for the endemic tui,
kaka and kereru (wood pigeons), and Scott
notes, “With restoration of the many native tree
species will come the return of more native
birds and other animals, resulting in a truly
authentic bush experience for our guests.”
To book contact:
Reservations on 07 864 8088 or
email
For info:
Whitianga is bracing for what promises to
be the concert of the year featuring rock
power houses Foreigner, Three Dog Night, and
the sister duo Heart starring Ann and Nancy
Wilson – plus Kiwis David Shanhun and Simon
Claxton. The Whitianga Summer Concert is
Sunday, January 25 on the Whitianga Waterways.
It would be hard to choose a “headliner” for this
day-long family event. But..consider Heart. This
Seattle sister act has been a force in the rock
world since the 1970s, and they have not slowed
down one bit. Nor have they ever stooped to
“sexuality” as part of their act. “Artistry” carries
them, and has for decades.
Last year they were inducted into the Rock &
Roll Hall of Fame and have just been nominated
to the Songwriter Hall of Fame. Two years ago,
they rocked out “Stairway to Heaven” in the
Kennedy Centre televised concert honouring
Led Zepplin (view it on YouTube). Also, look for
their new album just released, Heart & Friends:
Home for the Holidays.
And they “tour tour tour!” Heart last toured down
under in 2012, with dates in Australia and then
New Zealand. Vocalist Ann Wilson is looking
forward to New Zealand ‘summer’ dates. “We
are going to be ‘rawking’ out,” Ann says in and
an interview with Vicki Anderson of Stuff.co.nz.
“Nancy and I will play some of the old hits and
some newer stuff and some surprising covers.
The whole band is coming. My son is coming
along too.”
And that is just one of three iconic rock groups!
Guitarist Nancy Wilson
and vocalist Ann Wilson
The picnic-friendly Whitianga Waterways concert venue. Park
on site, or take advantage of the bus transport shuttle option.
Greenstone Entertainment put together this
star-studded tour, in what they consider their
top concert yet. CEO Amanda Calvert shares,
“To have Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Jukebox heroes
Foreigner, and Grammy-nominated Three Dog
Night on the bill – quite honestly, it’s a can’t-miss
concert for classic-rock lovers. We can’t wait to
show them what Whitianga and the Coromandel
has to offer!”
With a strong family connection at Cooks
Beach, Amanda adds, “Whitianga has the
same holiday feel of our other venues in Taupo
and Queenstown. It’s a big thanks to Peter
Abrahamson and the rest of the fantastic group
at Whitianga Waterways who made this venue
possible.”
What you should know about the concert
Tickets are selling briskly. Cost is under $100 for the whole
day; kids 14 and under admitted free with accompanying
adult. “This concert is meant for ALL members of the
family,” says Amanda. “Bring your picnic and non-alcoholic
beverages.” Food and beverage will be available for
purchase at the concert and will include a range of beer and
Gibbston Valley Wines.
The parking lo t opens at 10am, gates at 11. For those who
don’t want to deal with parking, transport options are also
available through Ticketek once tickets have been purchased.
BOOKINGS : $99 (plus booking fee) through
co.nz (0800 TICKETEK). Strictly limited local tickets – $89
(plus BF) are available through the area’s many iSites and
info centres. Visit
more info about SUMMER CONCERT TOUR 2015.
COROMANDEL’S
HOTTEST TICKET
OF THE SUMMER!
WHITIANGASUMMER
CONCERT
25 January
Schedule
11 am
Kiwis David Shanhun
and Simon Claxton
1 pm
Three Dog Night
3 pm
Foreigner
5 pm
Heart
The concert is slated to end at 6:30.
35
PHOTOS BY ALAN DUFF