NEW ZEALAND’S “WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA” AIR SPECTACULAR TARGETS GROWING AUSSIE MARKET

NEW ZEALAND’S “WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA” AIR SPECTACULAR TARGETS GROWING AUSSIE MARKET

Air show enthusiasts – prepare yourselves for New Zealand’s “Wings Over Wairarapa 2009”, one of the fastest-growing air shows in the Australasian region.

Staged at Masterton, in the renowned Wairarapa wine region, near the NZ capital of wellington, Wings Over Wairarapa 2009 will be the sixth such show run by the New Zealand Sport & Vintage Aviation Society.

Over 70 aircraft will be displayed over the two days of Wings Over Wairarapa 2009 representing a spectacular visual account of the history of aviation in New Zealand and around the world.

Hood Aerodrome in Masterton is not only the venue for Wings over Wairarapa but is also home to some of the world’s most impressive, privately owned, collections of WWI and WWII aircraft.

Major investment in the area by both the Old Stick & Rudder Co and The Vintage Aviator Co has meant that the Wairarapa has some of the rarest and celebrated aircraft still in existence.

Both of these companies have plans in the near future to show these collections to the public which will coincide with the planned 2008 opening of The George Hood Aviation Museum and café making Hood Aerodrome a must visit destination for all aviation enthusiasts.

Wings Over Wairarapa is now recognized as a significant event in the Australasian aviation events calendar.

Second in numbers only to the long running Warbirds Over Wanaka air show, it certainly rivals any other show New Zealand show for display content and reputation.

Published statistics from the 2006 Warbirds Over Wanaka show identified that 19.3% of all (of a total of approximately 100,000) visitors came from overseas with 15% of these coming from Australia.

Interestingly surveys taken at the Wings Over Wairarapa trade stand at the same show indicated that 25% of visitors were from Australia with 93% of that number from the eastern seaboard.

New Zealand's YAK aircraft display team will appear at the Wings Over Wairarapa 2009 event

On the basis of these figures alone it is hard to argue the popularity of the air show concept with the Australian market and organisers firmly believe that Wings Over Wairarapa can only add yet another dimension to that.

Wairarapa’s proximity (only and hour and a half by train or car or 30 minutes by chartered aircraft) to Wellington is a huge advantage for visitors to the show enabling them to enjoy the many advantages of one of New Zealand’s most exciting cities, while still being close enough to easily commute to the show on a daily basis.

Availability of accommodation in Wellington in January is traditionally very good, due to the primarily corporate nature of the market, thus allowing visitors and operators the pick of the town when it comes to styles and rates!

The number of daily Australasian services in and out Wellington International Airport also make it a very real ‘weekend’ option for more targeted groups.

A designated air show train service runs to and from Wellington, as does a chartered flight service, on each day of the show ensuring that patrons can relax and enjoy the day out.

The Wairarapa region in also renowned for its wealth of specialist food producers and a wine industry internationally renowned for its pinot noir production is a gourmet’s delight.

This however is just one of the many highlights of the region.

Another starter for WOW 09 -- a Harvard from the RNZAF Historic Flight

Visitors to Wings Over Wairarapa can not only take the opportunity to taste premium wines and gourmet food, they can experience the tranquility of a hot-air balloon, the relaxation of day spas, the remoteness of the coast and native wonders of Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.

Or perhaps they would prefer to be intrigued by the mysteries of the stars at Stonehenge Aotearoa, walk historic Victorian streets or scenic mountain tracks, visit boutique stores, museums and art galleries or perhaps grab the golf clubs and stroll top-class greens or quirky rural courses. In short there is something for everyone in off-the-beaten track Wairarapa.

A significant difference between this event and other air shows held throughout Australasia is the greater variety of entertainment on offer.

Not restricted to just military aircraft, Wings Over Wairarapa showcases a huge variety of flying machines - from the romance of the vintage aircraft to the heart stopping ex-military jet formations; from the gravity defying feats of agricultural aircraft to the thrill of aerobatics. Thrown into the mix are displays of model aircraft, gliders, helicopters, home builts, microlites and gyrocopters. Wings Over Wairarapa has evolved into an event that truly offers something for everyone.

In addition to the entertainment in the sky, the Wings Over Wairarapa 2009 will once again feature a stand alone food & wine festival, expo sites, an air to ground pyrotechnic mock battle, live music, static displays featuring vintage and contemporary military vehicles, stationary and traction engines, unique movie props and children’s entertainment. All this combines to broaden the audience appeal and the enjoyment of those who attend.

For further information about the show or available group rates please contact:

LIZ POLLOCK, EVENT MANAGER, WINGS OVER WAIRARPA
PH + 64 274 774717, <http://www.wings.org.nz>www.wings.org.nz, email <mailto:info@wings.org.nz>info@wings.org.nz


Issued in Australia by:


TONY HARRINGTON
Asia Pacific Public Relations I Aviation and Tourism Specialists
Australia I New Zealand I Pacific
T: +61 7 3630 0767 I M: 0404 882 742 I E: tony@asiapacpr.com.au
Global Alliance Partner
LEADINGEDGEcommunications.aero

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