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When Kiwis break out the barbeque, it’s even more inviting (and delicious)!

Barbequing, Kiwi Style



As Canadians, we are sweeping the snow or, on the West Coast, dusting the pollen off our barbeques this time of the year, but New Zealand is knee deep into their barbequing season.
No matter what time of year, in New Zealand, visitors can immerse themselves in breathtaking scenery and experience some of New Zealand’s fresh local cuisine and regional flavours. When Kiwis break out the barbeque, it’s even more inviting (and delicious)!

Pink Beach Barbeque

Set on 6,000 acres of land near Matauri Bay, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. World renowned for its championship golf course, the Kauri Cliffs is one of the most awarded boutique and spa resort hotels in New Zealand. Over New Zealand’s summer months, guests at Kauri Cliffs can leave the usual dining room formalities behind and choose to nestle their toes in the warm sand at Pink Beach (one of three private beaches) – famed for the broken pink seashells that colour the sand. Set up on the shores of Pink Beach on crafted wooden picnic tables, guests enjoy an extravagant barbeque, complete with award-winning service. Executive Chef Barry Frith, a huge fan of local Northland produce, presents line-caught snapper, crayfish (lobster), scallops and oysters complimented by beef, lamb and locally made sausages grilled to perfection and accompanied by New Zealand fine wine and cheeses.

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Outdoor Cultural Cuisine

On the eastern rim of the North Island’s volcanic Central Plateau, Tamau Pa and Kai Waho is a place of warm hospitality that reaches back to an ancient culture. From this elevated and remote riverside setting, Kai Waho guests have exclusive access to a magnificent sub-alpine forest wilderness.
Kai Waho Credit: Tom Loughlin
The Maori phrase “kai waho” can be translated as “outdoor cuisine.” It can also describe a master or teacher of the ways of the wilderness. Tom Loughlin – an expert hunter, gatherer and professional chef – weaves storytelling into everything he does, passing on the treasured ancient Maori tales, legends and wisdom that came down from his ancestors. Using traditional Maori gathering techniques and cooking methods, Tom’s guests learn how to cook food deep in the earth using a traditional cooking process known as a hangi. Steam rising from the heated stones cooks the food – long and slow – resulting in tender, off-the-bone meats and delicious vegetables, infused with a smoky, earthy fragrance.

Succulent Seafood Barbeque

On the northwestern edge of the South Island, visitors can cruise into the heart of Abel Tasman National Park to experience fine wilderness dining at Wilsons Abel Tasman’s Torrent Bay Lodge. Guests choose from an innovative menu showcasing the Nelson region’s famously good seafood, fruits, meats, wines and beers, served against a backdrop of golden sand beaches, native bush and sculpted granite headlands. Local chef, Craig Wilson, selects from the best of Nelson’s fresh ingredients to create a barbeque that focuses on organic, local and seasonal produce. Specialties include mussels and salmon from nearby farms in Golden Bay. Lick your lips over Tasman Bay scallops with sweet lime chilli dressing, steamed paua (abalone) ravioli, and whitebait fritters tossed down with Nelson wine, beer and fruit juice. There is the option to work up an appetite by hiking, swimming in the bay, or relaxing on the sundeck at Torrent Bay Lodge and soaking up the tranquility of Abel Tasman National Park.
Lodge at Kauri Cliffs Credit: Ingalls Photo

Cruise Tekapo to Motuariki Island

Cruise the clear blue waters of Lake Tekapo with Cruise Tekapo skipper Greg Crowe and enjoy an on-shore barbeque of local delicacies. The two-hour voyage explores notable sites on the shores of Lake Tekapo before arriving at Motuariki Island. The island's name – Motu (island) and ariki (chieftain) – denotes the history and importance of this incredible spot. It’s a place of beauty – pristine white sand beaches and 25 hectares of forest, with snow-capped mountains and the surreal turquoise waters. Surrounded by this breathtaking scenery, Greg transforms local produce into a barbeque meal that may include local merino lamb, beef and venison, as well as freshly harvested Mount Cook salmon – a true taste of the region.

Kiwi Gourmet Barbeque

For an experience that transports you back in time, the TSS Earnslaw – a 100-year-old coal-fired steamship with glowing timbers and gleaming brass – offers a welcoming passage into a different world. Known respectfully as “The Lady of the Lake,” this gracious old-timer will carry you across the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbeque – Kiwi style.
Walter Peak Credit: Real Journeys
Walter Peak High Country Farm is also deeply steeped in history. Its sheltered bays were used as campsites by ancient Maori on hunting and gathering expeditions – where they would have chased the now extinct giant moa birds for food and searched for the treasured pounamu (jade). With Walter Peak Mountain and The Remarkables mountain range as the backdrop, Chef Justin Koen has created an outdoor arena that presents a tempting buffet dining experience with produce that is sourced from as close to Walter Peak as possible. With fresh seasonal greens and market fish from Central Otago, Cardrona merino lamb and local pork, Justin’s sustainable measures also ensure that very little goes to waste. Visit New Zealand in any season. Throughout both islands, you’ll have your choice of unique adventures – hiking, climbing or kayaking across landscapes famous the world over – and you can also savour the freshest local produce and world-class wines. Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca) has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. Amazing new experiences are just one flight away. For more information on New Zealand or to create your unique adventure, please visit: www.NewZealand.com and check out the “Wishlist” handy vacation planner.


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