New Zealand 2011 Business Club

Eileen says she and Steve have tripped around European wineries a-plenty, and have learned a lot about how you make wine in each area. But she says the beauty of New Zealand's young wine industry is that it's not bound by tradition. "There's certainly merit in tradition," she says. "But we don't have to do things a certain way because that's the way it's always been done.

"We can look at winemaking with fresh eyes and think about it from a fresh perspective. For example, we are growing varieties of wine that aren't commonly grown here, such as Marsanne, St Laurent, Grüner Veltliner, and Albarino. We can do this without sacrificing our other varieties because we've narrow planted. That means our vine rows are only 1.5 metres apart, not the traditional three metres. Also, we're experimenting with shredded paper mulch. We love trying with new things and seeing what happens."

Eileen says they plan to host rugby fans by taking them on a tour of their vineyard, sharing their methods and the reasons behind them. "Then we’ll go back to our tasting room, sit under our cork oak tree and taste the results. Whether they're wine growers, restaurateurs or simply wine enthusiasts, it'll be interesting to get their feedback on how what they've seen here compares to what they know.

"Gisborne has a lot going for it, especially as a wine destination – we want to give rugby fans another reason to come here."

Organised by New Zealand’s Aviation Industry Cluster, Flair is for aviation enthusiasts as much as professionals. As well as product and service displays, there will be aircraft demonstrations and symposiums, and seminars covering everything from aerodynamics to aircraft homebuilding techniques. Of particular excitement will be emerging technologies, such as the Martin Jetpack, and other new products that will be launched at Flair.

“Flair is aimed at stimulating growth, development and investment in New Zealand’s aviation industry,” says Cluster Chairman, John Jones. “To that end, we’ll have extensive information at Flair about the numerous investment opportunities available in our local industry. Plus, we’ll facilitate networking opportunities throughout the event, aimed at matching investors with local companies.”

When: October 13 (industry only day) October 14-15 (open to the public)
Where: Te Kowhai airfield, Hamilton
Please note that there will be an entry fee. More information

Other aviation events you may be interested in are:

Knights of the Sky Exhibition – Ōmaka, Marlborough
‘The Knights of the Sky Exhibition’ at the Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough contains the world's largest collection of World War One aircraft and rare memorabilia, including a mix of dramatically-staged static displays along with flyable planes. Arranged in over 3,000 square metres of purpose-built display area, this amazing exhibition has been brought to life by Sir Peter Jackson and the multi-award winning Weta Workshop. More information

Ardmore Airport
The home of the New Zealand Warbirds Association, and this country’s busiest airport by aircraft movement, Ardmore Airport in South Auckland will let plane spotters get up close and personal with its aircraft on September 29 from 4pm. Representatives from the 100+ businesses at the airport will be available to chat to all comers, and there will be aircraft – modern and vintage – on display. For more information contact Trevor Wilcox: phone +64 9 298 9544, email trevor@ardmoreairport.co.nz, website

Vintage Aircraft Adventure – Gore, Otago
Mandeville Airfield, near Gore in the South Island, is New Zealand's oldest aerodrome and has a focus on planes from the 1930s era, especially the popular de Havilland aircraft. The Croydon Aircraft Company, based at the airfield, specialises in manufacturing and restoring de Havilland and vintage aircraft. Watch the craftsmen at work, take to the skies in a Tiger Moth, or go on an adrenalin-filled acrobatic joyride. More information

Wairarapa Vintage Wings and Wine – Wairarapa
Take a meandering journey through New Zealand’s aviation history as you treat yourself to the very best of Wairarapa’s wine and food. Wairarapa Vintage Wings and Wine is presented as a part of the Wairarapa Spring and Rugby Festival – a rich array of arts, sports and entertainment events. More information

The Wellington-based company is offering to show small groups of interested visitors around its processing plant, which is only a few minutes’ drive from the heart of the city. “We will pick up people from the Shepherd’s Arms pub in town and take them out here to have a look around,” says Simon. “For people like farmers, people working in food and beverage, or food importers, or anyone interested in how food is produced, there’s a lot to see.” After the tour, visitors will be squired back to the Shepherd’s Arms and treated to a nice steak or cut of lamb.

And because France is one of Taylor Preston’s biggest markets, there’s also a top chance the French rugby team will have feasted on its meat during training, but Simon reckons the playing field will still be level. “After all, the All Blacks have been used in a New Zealand Beef and Lamb marketing campaign in France, so I’m sure they’ve had their fair share too!”

"There is so much to experience during this event," says event manager Andrea Craig. "It's is a great opportunity to talk to our producers about what they do that makes our region special. But the main thing is to relax, listen to the music, and enjoy the great food and wine on offer." Tickets are limited and can be bought online at www.wine-marlborough.co.nz.

Some other wine events
There are many other wine and food events – free and ticketed – being offered all over the country. To find out what is on, go to the REAL New Zealand Festival website and select “food and wine” and “wine in vineyards” under “type” in the search box on the left of the page. You can also search by region.

Here’s a tiny taster of what else is on offer:

Wairarapa Vintage Wings and Wine – Wairarapa
Be treated to the best very best of Wairarapa’s wine and food as you enjoy a meandering journey through New Zealand’s aviation history. Wairarapa Vintage Wings and Wine is presented as a part of the Wairarapa Spring and Rugby Festival – a rich array of arts, sports and entertainment events. More info

Spade Oak Winery – Gisborne
Steve and Eileen Voysey invite you to their Gisborne vineyard for a winery tour and a taste of what makes their wines, and their region, extra special. Please phone +64 6 867 0198, or email voysey@spadeoak.co.nz. This is a NZ 2011 Business Club event – check out the full story

Quartz Reef – Central Otago
Join internationally acclaimed winemaker, Rudi Bauer, for a wine tasting at Quartz Reef winery in Bendigo, Central Otago, after a breath-taking tour of this top wine-growing region. This is a NZ 2011 Business Club event. Please contact Quartz Reef winery if you would like to take part. Phone +64 3 445 3084, or email Elaine@quartzreef.co.nz.

“The Tournament gives our local ICT businesses a golden opportunity to connect with international visitors. To help make those connections, the Rutherford Innovation Showcase will hold events in three cities, bringing our innovative business people together with potential investors, partnerships or customers.”

Events that are part of the Rutherford Innovation Showcase – named for one of New Zealand’s best-known innovators, Ernest Rutherford, who is known as ‘the father of nuclear physics’ – will be held in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland through September and October.

Here is a small selection of events.

Canterbury Software Summit & UCONZ Trade Show – Christchurch, September 8
The first on the innovation showcase calendar, this event will feature inspiring stories from national and international business leaders, as well as informative technical sessions. Organised by the Canterbury Software Cluster, UCONZ and NZICT, the theme for this year’s summit is ‘Can you compete in the international market?’

Attendees will hear insights from many successful entrepreneurs including Craig Nevill-Manning from Google, Andrew Lark from the Commonwealth Bank, David Scott from Z Energy, and Scott Bradley from VoucherMob. There will also be plenty of opportunities to network! Registration is free thanks to the generosity of the summit’s sponsors. More information

Digital Content Forum – Wellington, September 23
The Digital Content Forum is a dynamic and compelling showcase featuring a world class line up of New Zealand innovators who are making an impact globally. This forum is specifically relevant for people who are interested in learning about the future of digital, understanding where digital technologies are trending for the future, or exploring how digital technologies are impacting on performance in all arenas. More information

NZ Technology Trade & Investment Forum – Auckland, 26 & 27 September
This event will highlight key trade and investment opportunities in the technology sector. It will include leading international technology industry investors and speakers, as well as presentations from senior New Zealand government ministers and agency CEOs. More information

Miromoda Fashion Extravaganza
See the ‘crème de la crème’ of traditional and contemporary Māori fashion and design at the Miromoda Fashion Extravaganza in Wellington.

The event will include a contemporary catwalk show featuring pieces by Māori fashion designers, Māori models and make-up artists alongside vibrant Māori music, art, jewellery and performing arts.

Preceding the Miromoda catwalk show will be a world premiere exhibition of the ten most prized kakahu (traditional Māori ceremonial cloaks) from the Hetet — Te Kanawa collection, which feature works by the late Dame Rangimarie Hetet and her daughter, the late Dr Diggeress Te Kanawa, great granddaughter of French whaler, Loudovious (Louis) Hetet who arrived on New Zealand shores in 1835.

A trade component of the Miromoda Fashion Extravaganza will feature high-end Maori related product for wholesale and retail trade. Off-site and pre-show soirees will be hosted at several city venues to facilitate an exciting buzz and hype that fashion generates. More info

Within a year or so the West Coast Rail Trail will run from Greymouth, down the coast and inland to Kumara, then back out to the coast, ending in Hokitika. For now it’s in sections, but there’s a good two to three hour ride that can be done south from Greymouth.

“We’re inviting people to come and meet us in Greymouth on any Sunday during the tournament,” Sebastian says. “We’ll have a tour of the town, then hop on our bikes at the railway station and cycle out. We won’t go too far, and the going is nice and flat with parks and cafes along the way, so we won’t be cycling all the time!

“We hope we can meet interesting people who are keen to do some work on the coast. The rail trail is a great way to get introduced to this part of the country. If you get it on a nice day, it’s just perfect. And even if it’s raining, it’s still a wonderful day out – we have some good wet weather gear!”

“Luckily we came through the earthquakes very well, and only had to close for a couple of days,” says Hayden. “Our brewery is still in full operation, and we’d love to take rugby fans on a tour around our purpose-built facility, showing them how we make our batch-brewed, naturally crafted beer!”

However, the true test is in the taste, and Hayden says everyone’s eyes light up when the tour’s over and the tasting begins. “Rugby fans generally love beer, of course, and after we’ve been around the brewery we’ll have to open a couple so visitors get to taste some high-quality local product.”

Hayden says that since people could be passing through at any time, he’s happy to take tours whenever people want. “We hope we can forge some long-term relationships, because that’s how we think about our business – long-term. This is a great chance for us to meet people from overseas, and – who knows? – maybe open up some off-shore markets.

“Our beer is truly alive, which is just like our city. People might be reluctant to come here, but – mawkishness aside – Christchurch is certainly a fascinating city to visit. We need to get on with living and get on with business. And truly, the more people who come and support us, the better!”

Anyone in the area during the tournament – French or not – are invited to learn about the area's French history and experience Māori culture.

"We host our visitors 'kanohe ki ti kanohe', or 'face to face',” says Tommy. "This is what we do as Māori on the marae anyway – we meet, greet, entertain and farewell people. We will be open to visitors throughout the Tournament, but on September 25 we have a special day planned. There will be songs of welcome for our visitors, children will perform kapahaka, and a kaumatua – or elder – will give talks on the history on the club and the area. We will also take our visitors on a tour of the marae and the wonderful visual treasures of the tukutuku and carvings inside the meetinghouse."

Tommy says he's hoping to host visitors from far and wide. "Most of our people won't make it to the Tournament, so we are making the Tournament come to us! We want people from France and other countries to know we’re here. Already we are expecting 25 French forest owners and managers from Aquitaine, and I've had several other inquiries, so we are well on our way!"

"The New Zealand Fashion Showcase will have all the music, glitz and glamour of a full fashion show," says Myken. "It will feature highlights from the new collections of our Fashion Week designers, as well as in-season garments to encourage people to go shopping. The shows are open invitation, so it's a great way for our designers to reach a wider audience."

Myken can also help if visitors want to do some serious shopping. "Over the Tournament, we are inviting fashion seekers into the workrooms of our top designers. They're welcome to spend some time with the designers, try on clothes, soak up styling advice, and hopefully walk out having bought a fabulous new wardrobe.

"We want to show them that New Zealand designers can offer something really different and creative. We want them to go home, wear their new garments, and have their friends admire them and ask where they came from. That's instant international exposure for our designers."

And Myken is advising fashion-seekers to arrive in New Zealand early to experience New Zealand Fashion Week, this year running just before the Tournament begins. "Our invitation to meet our key designers is also open then," she says. "This year we are more prepared than ever to give our visitors the VIP treatment."

For Groenz’s NZ 2011 Business Club hosting event, the company is inviting rugby fans out to its Gracefield factory. After that, there’s a good chance they will be invited up to the family’s Kapiti Coast property, north of Wellington, where Fred’s custom-made lake awaits. “It might still be a bit cold, but people are welcome to take a crack at barefoot water skiing if they want,” says Fred. “We’ll crank up a barbeque, and have a few drinks and a chat about business. You don’t know what you don’t know until someone tells you, which is why it’s so valuable meeting people from outside your own country. New Zealand bats above its weight, but constantly undersells itself. We need to start talking about what we’re good at. Everyone else will tell you what you can’t do – only you can tell yourself what you can do. Hosting international rugby fans is a great opportunity to do that.”

“We have a lot of interest in our products from overseas, and through our parent company we have engineering and design capability in Australia, the United States and China. We would welcome rugby fans in Hamilton for the Rugby to come and tour our Te Rapa facility and hear about our business. It’s a great chance to see some very big machinery being fabricated. Then we’ll have a round of golf at a great local course before heading off for a meal.”

Because the company’s clients range across several industries, Mark isn’t too concerned about what business his guests are in. “Sure we’d love to have a visit from any business that is interested in engineering and fabrication, but really, we have a long history in Waikato and this is about joining other businesses in welcoming rugby fans to our region. We are very proud of our company and want to show our like-minded international guests what we can do.”

Alan says what they do on the walks, and how many walks he guides, will depend very much on demand, and how fit his guests are. "We have three options. They are to walk to the Curtis Falls, and beyond if we're still keen, to the Dawson Falls, or to Pouakai Peak. We could go for just a half day, or a full day – that'll include lunch! We’ll also rustle up wet-weather gear if we need it."

Alan says even seasoned hikers will see something new on Mt Taranaki. "The forest on the side of Mt Taranaki is lush fern bush, which is unusual. We'll also be walking on a dormant volcano, so that makes the landscape very different to what people might have experienced. The mountain never disappoints me – there's always something different to see."

If the thought of hiking on a volcano is a bit nerve-wracking, one thing Alan says hikers are unlikely to see is volcanic activity. "But don't worry, this area hasn't been active since around 1755," he says. Even if there was, as Alan is a former member of the area's Search and Rescue Team, his guests couldn't be in safer hands.

‘Tarnished Frocks and Divas’ is part fashion show, part performing arts sensation. Most of the performers and crew are volunteers, and everyone who sets foot on stage is female and over 40.

“About 90% of the performers have never been on stage. So this is about them doing something different, and shows they are still fabulous, beautiful women at 40, 50, 60 or older,” says Anne. “We want to celebrate the beauty women have well into their ‘vintage’ years.”

This year the show’s theme is French. “It’s centred in a French Village at the ‘Cafe Alouette’. The fashion is all from the French designers, whose vintage pieces have been taken in hand by our local designers and given a modern twist.”

Anne hopes international rugby fans will be keen to make the trip to Tauranga. “There’s no game here, so we wanted to create an opportunity to attract people here. This gives the wives and girlfriends something to do to break up the rugby. But our audience is far from just women – every show attracts a lot of men too!”

‘Tarnished Frocks and Divas’ runs from 14 – 17 September, and some tickets have been set aside to one of the shows for international Business Club members.

Trevor hosted some Lions followers during the last Lions Tour, so thought he'd recreate the experience as part of the Business Club. "We had such a good time going out on the lake, taking in the scenery, discussing the history, and having a great debate about rugby. I had such a lot of fun that I thought I'd try it again.

"Whoever comes out on one of my tours will enjoy a unique experience, in a unique vehicle, in a unique part of the world. After we've visited the sights on the water and in the town, we'll more than likely end up with a cold beer in our hands to finish off the day."

Trevor says the main motivator for his hosted event was to meet interesting people. "I want to show some great Kiwi hospitality so they can go away saying, 'New Zealand is a fantastic country; the people are friendly and we want to go back there sometime.'"

They are:

• Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Worldwide, and Business School Honorary Professor of Innovation and Creativity, Kevin Roberts
• Former All Black and business adviser, Murray Mexted
• Neuroscientist and author of The Winners' Bible, Dr Kerry Spackman
• Former captain of the three-time world champion lack Ferns and authority on Maori and gender issues in sport, Dr Farah Palmer
• Stanford Graduate School of Business and a specialist in high-growth global companies and sports organisations, Professor George Foster.

"Each will give a presentation, followed by a panel discussion on what's needed for New Zealand companies to become world champions," says Amanda. "Business has a lot it can learn from sport, which is why our Dean, Professor Greg Whittred, has concentrated on activities that complement the rugby. We're inviting our international entrepreneurs along to learn those lessons too."

Also to complement the rugby, the University's Sport & Recreation Department is hosting an interfaculty rugby game that pits four faculties against each other to win the Sir Wilson Whineray Trophy. "The interfaculty game is always a great afternoon out and promises some great entertainment for our international visitors, as well as a chance to spot up-and-coming talent. After all, university level rugby is where many of our past and present All Blacks got their start."

Of course, the visitors will have had ample opportunity to see the guidance systems in action, as a unit will be mounted on the dashboard of the 4WDs. "The day is about showing off the countryside we're so proud of rather than about selling units," says Colin. "However, we know that if our guests operate in the industries our system targets, TracMap can improve their productivity by about 15 or 20%. Then our visitors can go home saying, 'Not only did I have a great time in New Zealand, but I was also able to improve my productivity and save myself money.' What a great outcome!"

The plantings all take place on public conservation land, and offer locals and overseas visitors access to some parts of New Zealand that are not otherwise open to the public.

As a rugby fan, it's a chance to get out and plant some trees with a New Zealand rugby great, such as Bryan 'B.G.' Williams or Tane Norton. And, if you’re a tree lover, you get the opportunity to leave behind a living legacy of your rugby trip to New Zealand.

The Great Living Legends Muck-In plantings are happening right throughout New Zealand during RWC 2011, celebrating our treasured environment and our beloved game. You're welcome to take part.

As a showcase of the best theatre, dance and music from all over the country and beyond, the Christchurch Arts Festival presents a rich, diverse and bold programme of arts and cultural events – plenty to impress and entertain you and your international guests. Find out more

Rotorua’s a hive of rugby and REAL New Zealand Festival activity for those based in the Bay of Plenty and travelling around between matches. The Tribal Rugby Festival provides plenty of opportunity for you to take part in some exciting (not to mention novel) experiences. The Festival is three days of entertainment, food and wine, friendly competition and some unforgettable rugby, where everyone can participate in activities including Waka Warrior Canoe Races on Lake Rotorua, the International Fan Tug o’ War, the best international version of the Haka and the Team Anthem Singing Competition. Find out more

The day will start with a breakfast at NRFC's clubrooms, then Nelson College's 1000+ boys will parade to Botanic, pausing to perform a haka below Nelson's Christ Church Cathedral. After the game it'll be back to the club for more festivities, and the Italy v Russia match on the big screen and live at Nelsons Trafalgar Park, adjacent to the NRFC Clubrooms.

"We think our international Business Club members will appreciate the taste of history," says Kent. "We want to show visitors it's worth making the effort to come to Nelson."

And while every effort is being made to keep the reenactment as historical as possible, that won't apply to the scoreboard. "The Club won that first game two goals to nil, but whoever wins on the day wins. Some things in rugby most remain sacred!"

Shona is the Regional Coordinator for the Rugby World Cup, and the Manager of Community and Economic Development for Gisborne District Council, but she's hosting on her own behalf.

"The NZ 2011 Business Club gives Gisborne people the opportunity to connect with people they wouldn't otherwise meet; and that includes me, so I thought I'd do something to lead from the front! I really hope I get to host someone who's in the same line as me and who can give me some ideas on how to grow and develop my community. Then the day will really pay off for me and for Gisborne!"

Nigel says the guests for the October 6 lunch will be selected from the Business Club's international member list, with nine sitting at each table, along with a Wellington business person who can represent the priority sectors.
 
"While rugby is the main course, it will have a liberal seasoning of business to promote Wellington's priority sectors," he says. "We want a local person at each table – such as the Restaurant Association's Mike Egan, Park Road Post's Cameron Harland, and Formway Design's Mark Pennington – to talk about the vibrancy of their sectors and what Wellington can offer from a business perspective."

However, Nigel says the lunch is about fun first and foremost. "This lunch will be just before the Quarter Final played in Wellington, so there will be a huge buzz in the capital. This is an unmissable opportunity to show some special international business people what a wonderful and industrious corner of the world we are."

"Then, we'll come back to our place and I'll prepare dinner using the best food and wine from the region and nearby – lamb, of course, and Kapiti Cheeses, followed by traditional pavlova. Depending on who our guests are, I'll also invite one of my clients or business connections if I think they and my guests might benefit from meeting each other. This is a chance to make a real international connection – I want to show our visitors that it's easy and interesting to do business in New Zealand and with New Zealanders."

Joanne runs Kapiti-based Ruscoe Public Relations and knows the value of creating new and potentially valuable business connections. 'Whenever I've been travelling, I've always itched to know what life is really like for the locals, but so rarely do you get the chance. I want to give our visitors that chance. Being hosted at someone's home is a winner not only because you can really get to know your hosts, but also because taking someone into your home – and going into someone's home – shows trust, and that's essential in building a business relationship."

At Wairarapa Vintage Wings and Wine visitors can enjoy a meandering "journey" through aviation history, including one of the world's largest privately owned collections of World War One aircraft, while being treated to the very best of Wairarapa wine and food.

Ten food and wine matched sites are placed throughout three themed aircraft hangers. You can sample, at your leisure, a selection of the region's finest wines and local produce, prepared by internationally-recognised chefs, as you wander among some of the world's rarest vintage aircraft. The event is being held on 7 & 10 October – that is, on either side of the two Quarter Final matches being held in Wellington on 8 & 9 October.

Maniototo Museum: Sporting Heroes Exhibition
Sport – particularly Rugby – has played a strong role in the Maniototo community and over the years the Maniototo has produced a number of top class sportspeople including All Blacks Wayne Graham, James Kearney, Antony Kreft, Ian Smith, William Meates and Andrew Hore. The Maniototo Museum's Sporting Heroes Exhibition honours these great locals. Find out more

Jazz’n’Jocks – A Quintessential Central Otago Tour
This two-day Central Otago festival features events ranging from a jazz soiree with local musicians and special guest Jud Arthur (ex-Otago Rugby player turned opera singer), historic art deco, fine wines and great local produce to fun with curling and Rugby. A gala event will include a market and the best of local food and wine, as well as a special rugby match featuring ex-Highlanders, ex-Crusaders and locals. Take in local attractions including the famous Cromwell Gorge and the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere. Find out more

"Whakarewarewa Forest, just on the outskirts of Rotorua City, is such an amazing resource – and biking in it is free," he says, so it was easy to decide how he wanted to host. "I just thought about what I thought was fun, and what I do most days anyway.

"I love riding through the forest, and I'm so proud of the area. I thought if I was overseas and someone said, 'Hey, I'll take you for a ride', I'd be delighted. Mountain biking is the new golf! This is a great opportunity to show visitors our beautiful forests in a different way."

"Having a chat while you're out for a ride is a neat way of communicating. If we can talk a little business while we’re riding then great, but for me this is about showing visitors the part of New Zealand I love, while doing something I love doing."

Jeremy says all levels of riding ability can be catered for in the forest park, so less experienced riders don't need to worry. "Depending on numbers, we will split the group up. It's going to be a wonderful morning out, with lots of fresh air, good fun and amazing scenery."

As New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) President-in-Waiting, Bryan has a busy year ahead, but he's still eagerly anticipating an atmosphere of cultural exchange through song and dance at the Ponsonby clubrooms during the Tournament.

"With a big Polynesian population here in Auckland, we're wanting to offer our visitors that ethnic experience as well. We might have quizzes, sing-a-longs – lots of our members play the guitar and enjoy a good sing song.

"We don't want to over-complicate things, we want to provide a good, genuine Kiwi rugby experience with a bit of an ethnic flavour, good food and drink, and the opportunity to play some games, and enjoy the fellowship afterwards."

Join the NZ 2011 Business Club to and experience New Zealand club rugby firsthand

Hear what Bryan has to say.

Julie says the day will start at the Milfos' purpose-built factory. "We have engineering, manufacturing and electronic divisions, so there's a lot to see here. Then, after morning tea, we'll bus over to tour the Gallagher's factory – they're another big Waikato company that's gone worldwide, and who we work with. From there, we'll have lunch at the stunning Vilagrad Winery in Ohaupo. This family-owned vineyard has been producing wine since 1922 and is a local institution," she says.

"Finally we'll go to the AgResearch farm at Tokonui. This is a flagship farm for us in that it has the very latest of our milking parlours, with all the bells and whistles. It’s the best place to see our latest innovations."

Julie says the day is designed to show off the region as much as the company. "Although we hope it will build brand awareness, as we're a growing company internationally, really we're spending the day being tour guides, not sales people. We love rugby and we love New Zealand, and this day puts the two together.

"Having said that, the rugby fans who come with us will see some very sophisticated technologies that are sure to blow them away as much as our gorgeous Waikato landscape will!"

"And Lord of the Rings fans might be interested to know that Hobbiton is just on the other side of that hill!"

The bush bash will be followed by a hearty farmhouse lunch, "or a traditional Māori hāngī depending on numbers," says Amy. After that, who knows? "My husband James plays the guitar and I sing, so really, anything could happen," she says.

"My whole family loves talking, and we love talking about business. We're all entrepreneurial, so we love meeting like-minded people. Maybe our guests will be people who can contribute to our business with finance or brain power or contacts, or maybe not. But for us the main thing is to offer visitors a true family experience – how many tourists get that?"

The airport is planning to open up some of its facilities for a few hours one evening during the Tournament so visiting Business Club members can come along, see some aircraft, have a drink and a bite to eat, and chat to people who are just as passionate about flying as them.

We'll open up our bar and café, and park up maybe 20 aircraft on the grass area outside," says Trevor. "We'll have aircraft from World War II up to the modern day. These will probably include a Harvard or two, a Mosquito, a Strikemaster Jet and Albatross Jet, and more. Depending on demand, some of our guests may be able to go for a test flight, but unfortunately that can't be free. Aviation enthusiasts will understand the cost of flying these things!"

Trevor says there will also be plenty of people around for the visitors to talk to. "About 500 people work here at Ardmore Airport, and they cover a wide range of occupations and passions. This is a great opportunity for our visitors to discover our aviation industry and make connections with Kiwi enthusiasts."

"We are a business of the land and sea. We make wine, farm mussels, grow apples, pears, hops and much more. Through the principles of kaitiakitanga (custodianship), pono (integrity), aroha (commitment), manaaki (care), innovation and communication, we seek to build the most sustainable company for our Maori owners and their descendants."

As an export company, Wakatu sees the NZ 2011 Business Club as a great way to meet like-minded people from overseas. The company has listed three hosting events for visitors, timed around the three Nelson games.

"We will give our manuhiri (guests), a true Maori experience," Viv says. "At Wakatu House, they will be welcomed in the traditional Maori manner, complete with karanga (welcome call) and waiata (song). That will be followed by a BBQ featuring the best of our produce. Our senior staff, board members and their families will host– in fact, some will be performing!"

Also – weather permitting – Wakatu will take two groups of people on a revamped fishing boat to the start of the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, at the top of the South Island. "This area includes our ancestral lands, and we are delighted to show its natural wonders off to visitors who, we hope, have something they can teach us."