At 'Look After Me' we help you find accommodation that best suits who, how and why you're travelling. 

We know that Businesswomen have different needs to Grandmas travelling with the grandies. If you are travelling by yourself, you'll probably appreciate their local knowledge over a glass of wine with your Homestay hosts.  

No matter who you are, or why you need to get away, we match you with Hosts who love doing what you love doing. It's ok to be mad-keen-crazy about fishing, golf, cycling, walking, photography, Harleys - we've got you covered!  We'll do our best to find people you're bound to get along with. 

Julia Charity says she's had a ''pretty typical entrepreneurial journey''.

''I've been burnt out, ripped off and broke. You just learn to never let anything compromise the dream.''

This week's 'Our People' is about Rotorua Entreprenuer Julia Charity.

If Julia Charity was a doll she'd be one of the double-faceted kind. On one side she'd appear as the consummate scientist, turn it around and she'd be seen as an entrepreneur.

New Plymouth homeowners have adopted the spirit of embracing cultural diversity to help bridge the shortfall in beds needed for Womad, the music festival coming to the city this weekend.

There are still a few beds available in New Plymouth through commercial accommodation providers but Karen Longstaff, Team Leader at New Plymouth i-site Puke Ariki, says that some festival goers tend to leave booking their accommodation to the last minute. “With commercial accommodation either full, or requiring two-three night minimums, we’re now looking to our lists of homeowners to help out with demand.” Typically Womad festival goers are looking for somewhere clean, comfortable and affordable for the night.”

WOMAD 2014 - our Accommodation picks in New Plymouth

10 years of celebrating music and international culture

WOMAD began from a desire to share international music and culture with people, experience culture that is not their own. Music is said to be the international language spanning cultures and barriers. From a dream in 1980 to the humble inaugural event in 1982, WOMAD has grown in popularity and status as 'the event' for many.

Blooming Marvellous!

Ellerslie International Flower Show is an iconic Christchurch event. With it's earlier start this year (26 - 2 March 2014), it is poised to make the most of day light savings. Ellerslie International Flower Show is held annually in North Hagley Park and is more than just a flower show. Here we mention a few highlights and offer our recommentdations and ideas for accommodation in Christchurch for those attending the Ellerslie Flower Show. 

  Canstruction is a fun new event at Ellerslie this year, with a serious purpose of raise funds, food and awareness of the City Mission. Well done and don't forget to vote. Entries are still open to enter a team.

What flower show would be complete without a fashion show and afternoon workshops with Angela Stone. Get creative and decorate your hat daily hat competitions with spot prizes.

NZ's Homestay Network - Look After Me will also now be looking after cyclists travelling along Rotorua’s Cycle Trail, Te Ara Ahi – Thermal by Bike, having proudly become the trail’s Official Accommodation partner in August 2013. 
 

Published by Destination Rotorua Marketing in Summer 2014 issue of 'In Essence.'

It's not too late to book a holiday and take your hobby, sport or passion with you.

Stay with friendly kiwis just like you who 'get you' and love what you're into to. We offer affordable self-contained units, and in-home hosting with like-minded people.

As an official partner of the Rotorua Cycle Trail 'Thermal By Bike' we wish to thank Rotorua Daily Post for highlighting Rotorua's new Cycle Trail on Day 3 of their summer series: 'Essential 50 featuring the top Visitor Attractions and local experiences in Rotorua.'

Whether you are new to cycling or an old hand, Rotorua's Cycle Trail - Te Ara Ahi - Go Thermal By Bike Cycleway is a must-do.

An estimated 20,000,000 viewers are expected to watch a Korean Reality TV show featuring New Zealand residents and iconic tourist attractions. 

Korea’s No. 1 reality TV show ‘Dad, where are we going? aired in Korea on Sunday 24 November. Produced by MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation), the show features five celebrity fathers and their children as they undertake weekly challenges.

Photo caption: 'Dad, where are we going?' celebrity father Yoon Minsoo and son Yoon Hoo, fishing at Lake Tarawera. 

Christchurch A&P Show Day is huge, no its massive!

Your senses will shout vibrant and your taste buds will go wild sampling delicious food and wine; oh yeah, and there are a few horses running around too!

Labour Weekend is a much-deserved long weekend - an opportunity to celebrate the end of a long winter stretch. Here are our top tips for a Labour Weekend Getaway.  

With glimpses of warm summer weather and spring baby animals and blossoms, we suddenly leave our hibernation, say farewell to the fire-lighting routine and make plans for getting out and about.

We go potty about our gardens

To say that kiwis are a bit potty is an understatement - we adore our gardens and even more, we love to share them!

From structured professionally landscaped vistas, planned-to-blossom and colour-coordinated year round, to simple elegance of mass species plantings, right thru to forests of native flora and fauna - it is this variety that truly captivates the New Zealand Gardner.  

The Hawke's Bay is gearing up to showcase the Food and Wine Classic (FAWC) , a 10 day festival of gluttony. With over 50 events planned from Wine tasting to humus making, picnics on the Parade and Scottish music.

The Dragon's Den has arrived in Rotorua - but for the first entrepreneur to pitch it was an "exhilarating" rather than scary experience.

New government funding, a National Tourism Plan, changes in the way travellers are booking, evolving demographics and a global hospitality revolution, are just some of the factors impacting local tourism businesses. Julia Charity reports.

Hooked on fishing?

Come and stay with hosts who have access to primo fishing spots. Even better, our mad-keen fishing hosts can't wait to give you their best fishing tips - from a humble kiwi homestay ($60) to a luxury lodges in Hawke's Bay or Gore.

Easter is a great time to build up your bragging rights, biggest catch, longest battle, the largest number in a day and of course 'the one that got away'!!

A fabulous way to try something new, deep sea, lake or river fishing try out new gear, learn the best spots from your friendly host who will most likely will smoke your catch for the price of a cold one!

World of Wearable Arts, Wellington

Look After Me is in awe of the amazing event that has taken over Wellington. Wellington is putting on a show like no other, a show that needs to be experienced to appreciated for all that it is. As if we NEED an excuse to celebrate, this year's World of Wearable Arts (WOW) is extra special as its the 25th Anniversary.

The highlight of WOW the Awards show , from 26 September 2013 — 6 October 2013 at the Queens Wharf., Wellington. Adding to the experience at Te Papa, New Zealand's Museum, is this showcasing of  'The WOW Factor public programme' starting 21st September thru to 4th October.

Great places… warm faces

Searching for a connection that touches your soul?

As a destination, New Zealand stands upon the reputation of its world-renowned hospitality, a view that has just been corroborated by an international survey by the World Economic Forum. New Zealand was ranked highest globally, along with Iceland, on how welcoming they are to tourists. ^[1]

At the cultural heartland of New Zealand is the founding principle of ‘manaakitanga’ or hospitality, instilled by our indigenous peoples – the New Zealand Māori. Inherent to their culture is a philosophy where guests and visitors are treated with the highest respect and honour.

What's your happiest memory riding a bike?

Maybe you were very young - or maybe it was just a few weeks ago...

There is something simple and joyous about the sensation of cycling. It reminds me of being a kid - the freedom, the excitement of exploring new places, the fresh air and exercise.

Don't you feel quite 'virtuous' while you're riding? Clocking up all those health benefits, mile after mile.  That burgeoning sense of wellbeing, with every inflated breath?

Oh yes.....