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Positive Vibes From NZ Travel Agents After TTNQ Initiative

Cairns

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Tourism Tropical North Queensland has engaged in an NZ marketing push with the announcement that seat capacity from New Zealand to Cairns Airport would double next year.

New Zealand's top Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program agents were rewarded with an eight-day 'famil' of the Far North ahead of the increase in direct flights to Cairns.

TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen said the trip highlighted environmental assets and experiences on offer.

"Air New Zealand is increasing their seasonal direct flights from Auckland to three times a week from July 4 and to four times a week from August 5," Mr Olsen said.

"Jetstar has announced the direct flights from Christchurch to Cairns will start in April 2025 giving direct access from New Zealand's South Island for the first time.

"New Zealand is currently Tropical North Queensland's fourth largest international market with 32,000 visitors in the year ending March 2024, but we expect that number to grow in 2025 with the additional flights," he said.

"It is less than six hours' flying time from both Auckland and Christchurch making Cairns an ideal tropical getaway for New Zealanders wanting to escape their cold winters for warm sunshine.

"There are more than 2500 tours showcasing Tropical North Queensland's two World Heritage areas, the outback, Indigenous culture and, of course, our laid-back lifestyle," Mr Olsen said.

He said TTNQ received great feedback from the eight Expedia agents and the Air New Zealand representative.

The group who did day tours to Cape Tribulation and Kuranda, visited Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, and went white water rafting.

"Site tours of hotels in Palm Cove and Port Douglas, a wildlife experience, free time to explore art galleries and restaurant experiences gave them a good overview of activities that would appeal to their market," Mr Olsen said.

Originally published as Positive vibes from NZ travel agents after TTNQ initiative

Air New Zealand Stops Flights From Auckland To Noumea

The airline was committed to resuming the service from September 28 and O'Brien thanked customers in advance for patience and understanding.

What is happening in New Caledonia?

On May 13, the capital city of Noumea began experiencing large-scale civil unrest, which resulted in several deaths and thousands of injuries. The conflict followed a law approved in Paris that would allow more French citizens to vote in New Caledonia elections, which could weaken the indigenous people's political influence.

In response, thousands of Indigenous Kanak pro-independence protesters began rioting in Noumea, resulting in mass lootings, fires and armed fighting.

What will happen to Air NZ passengers?

Travellers who have already booked flights to Noumea with Air New Zealand will automatically receive credit and they can request a full refund, the airline stated. Those who booked via a travel agent are advised to contact the agent directly to discuss options.

Due to "limited options and continued uncertainty" the airline would not rebook customers on alternative services.

What about other airlines to Noumea?

Air New Zealand's temporary route closure means Aircalin is the only other commercial airline Kiwis can fly on.

Aircalin was forced to cancel 185 flights when the Noumea-La Tontouta International Airport was closed on May 13 due to rioter barricades but has since restarted flights from Auckland.

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The airline resumed commercial flights on June 5 as part of a limited schedule and will gradually reopen to international flights. Passengers on these flights are only allowed one suitcase with a maximum weight of 23kg.

Since barricades still block the road between La Tontouta International Airport (which international visitors fly into) and the landing strip at Magenta Aerodrome), Aircalin is operating a small plane to transfer passengers.

These flights are subject to change. A flight on June 11 from Auckland to Noumea has been rescheduled, according to the Aircalin website.

"An Astonishing Woman": A Tale Of Wartime Resistance In 'Agent Zo'

Storm Child by Michael Robotham 

The mystery of Evie Cormac's background has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer's day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach. 

There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk. Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price? 

Agent Zo by Clare Mulley 

This is the incredible story of Elzbieta Zawacka, the WW2 female resistance fighter known as Agent Zo, told here for the very first time. Agent Zo was the only woman to reach London from Warsaw during the Second World War as an emissary of the Polish Home Army command, and then in Britain she became the only woman to join the Polish elite Special Forces, known as the 'Silent Unseen'. She was secretly trained in the British countryside, and then the only female member of these SOE affiliated forces to be parachuted back behind enemy lines to Nazi-occupied Poland. There, whilst being hunted by the Gestapo who arrested her entire family, she took a leading role in the Warsaw Uprising and the liberation of Poland. 

After the war she was demobbed as one of the most highly decorated women in Polish history. Yet the Soviet-backed post-war Communist regime not only imprisoned her, but also ensured that her remarkable story remained hidden for over forty years. Now, through new archival research and exclusive interviews with people who knew and fought alongside Zo, Clare Mulley brings this forgotten heroine back to life, and also transforms how we see the history of women's agency in the Second World War. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

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