As the first country in the world to see the sun and greet the new decade, New Zealand is a special place to ring in the New Year.
Here is a little insight into the celebrations planned to surprise and delight guests many of whom have travelled more than half a world away and left the northern hemisphere winter behind to be with us on New Years Eve.
From Magicians to Musicians, here is a copy of the celebration schedule at Huka Lodge
New Year at Poronui in New Zealand's central North Island is a celebration of the year that’s been and the potential ahead. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather guests from around the property for celebration dinners after their days exploring our wilderness property.
Guests can expect picnics and BBQ's whilst they are out and about 'adverturing' on the Estate today and dinner will be around the lodge table telling stories and making new friends with the fire roaring and kitchen open. For the family glamping out at their Safari Camp, Chef will be preparing a delicious rustic dinner on the banks of the Mohaka River.
Guests at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs will be spending the last day of the year surrounded by family, friends and loved ones enjoying the mid-summer weather and extended daylight hours, with panoramic ocean and landscape views.
As the end of the 2019 approaches, Champagne and a five-course tasting menu created by Head Chef Barry Frith will be served in the Main Lodge. The festivities continue into the evening with a live band and bubbles to welcome 2020.
Guests of The Farm at Cape Kidnappers will be among the first in the world to see the dawn of a new year..
New Zealand is the first country in the world to welcome the New Year, which is cause for huge celebrations and excitement. The ambiance of the mid-summer celebrations is made all the more special surrounded in a beautiful landscape with friends and family.
As the countdown to midnight approaches, guests will celebrate in the Main Lodge with Champagne and a special five-course menu created by Head Chef James Honore, complete with a live band to enjoy the New Year’s Eve festivities.
Waking up to be the first to see the new light of 2020, amongst magnificent landscapes and vast sea views of the Pacific Ocean, celebrations continue on New Years Day with a gourmet BBQ lunch at the Clubhouse, featuring fresh local seafood, prime cuts of New Zealand meats and delicious summer desserts.
The countdown to midnight will be one to remember all year long, by welcoming the new year at Matakauri Lodge near Queenstown.
Guests will indulge in Champagne poured from Magnums and a special five-course menu created by Head Chef Jonathan Rogers, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and a mesmerizing panorama of the mountain range.
Later, missing the crowds; they will travel by water taxi to watch Queenstown come alive with lake-side festivities. See live music and entertainment fill the air while fireworks light up the midnight skies and picturesque surroundings when the clock strikes twelve.
Also missing the crowds and enjoying the spectacle from the water will be guests of Eichardts aboard their Pacific Jemm luxury launch. With champagne flowing and anchored just off the bay this is the party place to be for New Years in Queenstown.
Those fortunate enough to have reserved well in advance one of the spectacular private residences at The Landing in the Bay of Islands have a chef present delicious canapes and beverages on private terraces, in the vineyard or a candlelit dinner on the jetty.
The New Year will be toasted in on the roof top tower under the stars and with 360 degree views across The Landing, vineyard and across the water before settling in front of the firepit and cosy courtyards.
Mahu Whenua, one of New Zealand's largest and most private estates, guests will relax poolside and enjoy a bespoke dinner menu for New Years Eve. Just as memorable will be New Years morning when one will tuck up on a lounger witha blanket on the front deck to watch the sunrise over the mountains and Lake Wanaka with freshly brewed coffee or a Mimosa in hand!
Treetops Lodge & Estate will be serving a limited edition New Zealand wines and canapes by the outdoor fire pit at dusk with special kids entertainment. Reknown for estate to plate cuisine, dinner will be celebration of produce grown under the stars and live music will add to the cosy atmosphere.
Edenhouse in the Able Tasman, golden beaches, beautiful gardens and reknown hospitality has stolen the hearts of their American guests who return time and time again at this time of the year. Impeccable service, delicious cuisine and wine will await guests how have been exploring the very best of New Zealand's summer.
Wharekauhau will see the last sun setting of the decade with canapes followed by a long table dinner with guests enjoying a social time, before a jazz band plays into the early hours and champagne and dancing is plentiful.
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