CAUGHT ON THE HOP

MARC MULCAHY Trade Development Consultant, UK and Ireland, Tourism New Zealand

What does your job involve?

My role is to work with the UK trade to motivate, connect and enable them to work more closely with our industry back in New Zealand. I try to support and inspire agents and operators to sell more of the country.

What are your own favourite experiences in New Zealand?

I love all of New Zealand but there is an area in the South island called The Catlins. Located on the Southern Scenic Route, South of Dunedin and near Invercargill, it is a quiet area, a little off the beaten track.

I went with friends to a place called Curio Bay. We stayed in a batch, which is like a Kiwi holiday home, right on the beach.

One morning I had a surfing lesson. The instructor guaranteed I would catch a wave by the end of the day. I stood up, trying to ride a wave, and all of a sudden I saw a fin in the water. I got the biggest shock ever and thought it was a shark. But it turned out to be just a curious dolphin, swimming along beside me.

Later that evening we went down to a petrified forest, which dates from the Jurassic period. The area is home to a yellow-eyed penguin colony, which is a rare species native to New Zealand. We watched the penguins coming in out of the water to nest for the night. That was a special day all round.

What’s left on your New Zealand wish list?

No matter how many times I visit New Zealand my wish list always gets longer. Right at the top at the moment is the The Whanganui river journey. In North island, it is one of our great walks: a four- to five-day walk and boat trip down the river. Also, I want to climb Mount Taranaki, near New Plymouth on the west coast of North Island. newzealand.com