June 22nd, 2012

CNN GO has picked the Mackenzie's star-filled sky as #5 on a list of  "27 Sights That Will Remind You How Incredible Earth Is". It's no surprise to us living here in the region - we've always appreciated our clear night sky that's perfect for stargazing. The newly-designated Aoraki-Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is only the fourth such reserve in the world. It is also the first "gold-rated" reserve, meaning the darkness of its night skies is almost unbeatable.​ To put it simply, it is one of the best stargazing sites on Earth!

Please visit the website below to read more>

January 11th, 2013

The new Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is nearly complete. Quite a lot of the trail is already finished and currently being used. Completion of the entire trail is expected in 2013.

This 312km trail begins in the Southern Alps at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, descends 780m through the Mackenzie basin, and down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and the Pacific Ocean. The trail includes multiple access points to begin or end a ride or to ride local sections only.

Please visit the website below to read more>

August 27th, 2012

A significant report on the Mackenzie Basin is expected to ask the Government to set aside thousands of hectares for a public reserve near the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park. The tradeoff could be freeing up other Mackenzie land for more development.

In the past, several conservation groups, particularly Forest and Bird, have campaigned for a permanent public reserve section of land in the northern end of the basin to protect it from over-development.

Please visit the website below to read more>