Mc Richard Paglicawan
Filipinos are known to choose a destination with activities that allow them to be emotionally connected with their loved ones.
In this aspect, New Zealand does not disappoint with its creative and informative movie locations and equally thrilling theme and leisure parks that are perfect for the whole family.
The increased number of flights to New Zealand definitely makes the trip to the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ relatively easy for Filipino visitors. For 2017, why not treat the family to unique attractions while also enjoying the country’s picture perfect setting?
1. World-class Weta Workshop
Wellington, aka Wellywood, is home to the award-winning Weta Workshop (wetaworkshop.com), mostly notably responsible for effects on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and winners of five Academy Awards. It is recently ranked by The Guardian newspaper as one of the top 10 film studio tours in the world, giving Filipino Tolkien fans all the more reason to go. Guides explain how various films were made using props, models, weapons and special effects, and depending on what the talented team is working on at the time, you can take a peek through windows to watch the skilled technicians at work.
2. Disney’s Pete’s Dragon movie locations
Disney’s Pete’s Dragon is a live-action, family adventure film about a young boy and his dragon named Elliot, starring Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard. The film showcases spectacular New Zealand locations with special effects by Weta Digital. Watch the film and make sure to visit the landscapes as seen from Elliot’s dragon’s-eye view.
3. Vector Wero Whitewater Park
Dip your toes in Wero Whitewater Park (wero.org.nz) – New Zealand’s first purpose-built whitewater playground, a $37-million marvel found in South Auckland’s Manukau City. Opened in April 2016, the park is managed by Ian Ferguson, the Kiwi Olympic kayaking legend, who describes it as the “most amazing whitewater park in the world”. As the country’s only artificial river and watercourse, it’s perfect for recreation and sports, with activities accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
For that not-so-usual family vacation, New Zealand has everything a family needs to bond and enjoy together. From the sights that inspired award winning films to the thrills found in their natural landscape’s activities, the list goes on and whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
