Queens Wharf battle over

The Government and the Auckland Regional Authority have thrashed out a deal that will see the Rugby World Cup fan zone based on Queens Wharf, as originally announced by PM John Key, but his plan for a cruise ship terminal has been stymied.

Shed 11 at the harbour end of the wharf will be dismantled and removed to make way for the temporary steel, glass and PVC ‘Cloud’ structure. This will be the RWC2011 “Party Central” fan zone with festival events, industry showcasing, and international media and VIP hosting.

Shed 10, the one closest to land and on the eastern side of the wharf, is to be given a cosmetic tart-up and its ground floor will also be used as part of the fan zone. NZPA reports that passengers arriving on chartered cruise ships for the event will be processed at other ports before berthing in Auckland, obviating the need for Customs and Immigration facilities.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says the intention is to leave decisions relating to the wharf’s long-term development as well as the future of Shed 10 in the appropriate hands of the new Waterfront Development Agency, which will take over from the ARC on 01NOV.

Auckland mayor John Banks says this makes it possible to stand back and take a long-term view, with the new agency delivering an integrated plan for the whole of the waterfront from Westhaven to Bledisloe.

Cunard Line Announces 2012 World Voyages

Cunard Line has announced details of its 2012 world voyages on the new Queen Elizabeth and legendary flagship Queen Mary 2, marking a 90-year legacy of annual circumnavigations.

On sale in New Zealand from Friday July 16, the new program features a 107-day journey around the globe on Queen Elizabeth and a 108-day voyage on Queen Mary 2, which will include the liner’s first circumnavigation of Australia.

Queen Elizabeth makes her way to New Zealand in February and will be in Auckland on February 20, Napier on February 21 and Wellington on February 22.

Between them, the two liners will visit 60 ports across 33 countries, with their voyages including a host of maiden visits such as Queen Mary 2’s first call to the spectacular sand dunes of Namibia’s Swakopmund.

Early booking savers are available on the full world voyages with fares starting from $32,369 per person twin share for Queen Elizabeth’s journey which departs Southampton on January 10, 2012.

Meanwhile, Cunard is offering a host of line voyages and sectors on both liners including:
o 67 nights sailing on Queen Elizabeth from Auckland to Southampton visiting ports in Australia, Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe, priced from $20,689 pp twin share
o 15 nights sailing on Queen Elizabeth from San Francisco to Auckland via Hawaii, Samoa and Fiji, priced from $5,419 per person twin share
o 19 nights sailing on Queen Mary 2 from Sydney to Hong Kong via Papua New Guinea, Japan and China, priced from $5689 per person twin share
o 24 nights sailing from Sydney to Singapore on Queen Elizabeth visiting Malaysia, China, Vietnam and Thailand with fares starting from $7469 per person twin share

Onboard credits of up to US$1,500 per person are also available to guests booking liner or full voyages.

Launching in October this year, Queen Elizabeth’s complete circumnavigation will see her sail from the UK to New York, Fort Lauderdale and through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica and Mexico before visiting San Francisco and sailing south to New Zealand and Australia. She then heads north to Asia and through the Suez Canal to visit the Mediterranean before returning to Southampton.

QM2 will leave Southampton for Madeira and the Canary Islands before visiting Namibia and South Africa enroute to Australia where she will complete a historic circumnavigation of the continent. After sailing north to Asia she will visit ports throughout the Middle East and Europe before returning to the UK.

For more details on the 2012 world voyages visit a licensed travel agent, call Cunard on 0800 543 431 or visit www.cunardline.com.au

ENJOY A EUROPEAN AUTUMN FOR LESS

Autumn is one of the best times of the year to enjoy Europe.

The summer crowds have gone home, the summer heat has died down, but it’s still warm and sunny and some of Europe’s sights, such as the Alps, are at their best with cooler, crisp air making it the ideal time to see Europe’s highlights.

With its massive panoramic windscreen, few cars are better suited to seeing the sights and travelling around Europe than the Citroen C4 Picasso and for the European autumn, Citroen DriveEurope, the best way to get behind the wheel in Europe, is offering seven free days, a 50 per cent discount on pick up and return outside France and special deals for customers who have enjoyed the Citroen DriveEurope experience during the last five years.

For travelers looking for the unique luxury of a large Citroen sedan or wagon, the Citroen C5 is available with nine free days and a 50 per cent discount on pick up and return outside France.

Both offers, which represent savings of up to $450 plus the free days, are available on vehicles booked by 15 October delivery from 1 September until the end of the year subject to availability.

The Citroen DriveEurope programme beats conventional rental cars not just because of its lower costs, but also because all the arrangements are made in New Zealand in New Zealand dollars, so there are no hidden charges. Citroen DriveEurope not only guarantees that the booked car is what is waiting for you in Europe, it is also possible to specify equipment such as SatNav, child seats and snow chains. Also, unlike rental cars, Citroen DriveEurope cars may be used right across Europe, as far afield as the Ukraine, Iceland and Morocco.

Full details are available on 09 573 7788 or Citroen’s DriveEurope web site, http://www.citroendriveeurope.co.nz.

The Citroen DriveEurope programme includes:

· A brand new "Tax Free" car.
· New Car Factory Warranty.
· Comprehensive vehicle insurance (including fire, theft and third party).
· No insurance excess payable.
· Unlimited kilometres.
· Free pick up and return at over 20 locations in France. (Additional European locations available with surcharge.)
· All paperwork and payment completed prior to travel.
· No hidden extras.
· No extra charge for additional drivers.
· Special student arrangements.
· Minimum driver age of 21 years old with a full driver's licence.
· No upper age limit.
· Service support at over 15,000 centres throughout Europe and UK.
· Assurance of 24 Hour Assistance in over 40 countries

The Vehicle may be used in the following countries:

Albania
Estonia
Latvia
Romania
Andorra
Finland
Liechtenstein
San Marino
Austria
France
Lithuania
Serbia & Montenegro
Balearic Islands
F.Y.R.O.M.
(ex Macédonia)
Luxemburg
Slovakia
Belarus
Germany
Malta
Slovenia
Belgium
Gibraltar
Moldova
Spain (including the Canary Islands)
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece
Morocco
Sweden
Bulgaria
Hungary
Switzerland
Croatia
Iceland
Netherlands
Tunisia
Cyprus
Ireland
Norway
Turkey
Czech Republic
Islamic Republic of Iran
Poland
United Kingdom
Denmark
Israel
Portugal
Ukraine
Italy
Monaco