More than a movie set

New Zealand has made the most of its association with the smash-hit movie trilogy, The Lord Of The Rings. As a result, the island nation's pristine and visually dramatic scenery has seen an increase in meetings interest. Australian organisers, already comfortable with the short-haul nature of the destination, are turning their attention to the movie location across the Tasman Sea.

>> conference and convention venues in New Zealand.

New Zealand has the best of both worlds: stunning surroundings balanced by top-notch meetings facilities, accommodation ranging from up-market retreats and lodges to five-star city-based hotels and dedicated convention centres that are the envy of many other countries.

New Zealand's main conference cities encompass Wellington, the country's capital, Auckland, Rotorua and Taupo on the North Island, and Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island. Each has distinctly different characters.

Wellington disproves the widely-held belief that capital cities lack excitement with a thriving arts community and its many fashionable restaurants and bars that have reinvented the city. Auckland has a fine array of meetings and accommodation venues that reached maturity with the staging of the 2003 America's Cup races.

Rotorua and Taupo presents New Zealand's rural, sporting and cultural attractions to best advantage.

Christchurch has a traditional English-style appeal while Queenstown is located in one of the country's most spectacular locations with vivid alpine scenery showing the destination to advantage throughout the year.

Flight time from eastern Australia is around 3.5 hours with New Zealand's international airports being located at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Flights from Australia also service regional centres such as Queenstown.