For the second year running, Akaroa had success at the Ellerslie International Flower show with an exhibit featuring the Akaroa lighthouse. It won the Gold Award for National Flower bed plants. There were thousands on hand to admire the display manned by Black Cat sales manager Alison Fleming. In addition images of the lighthouse (pictured) featured in countless publications.
Monthly Archives: March 2010
30
Mar
Mar
We continue to receive great reviews on line on the many blogs and review sites. This is great feedback and very important to our marketing efforts. Here is one of my favourites and is a great example of the power of positive blogging.
Here is a great blog from Michelle Acourt who did the Christchurch wildlife cruise recently when she was down for the buskers festival. Clearly Michelle had a great time and we have heard since that she has raved about her dolphin experience to others as the highlight of her trip to Christchurch, so no doubt she will spread the word in Auckland.
26
Mar
Mar
The BBC produced reality show ‘Wanted Down Under’ was filming in Akaroa recently. With a massive audience of over 2 million viewers per episode the show is sure to raise the profile of New Zealand. This is the second time the show has featured Akaroa and Black Cat Cruises. The series is about British families, keen to trade in the British weather for the down-under lifestyle, who are given the chance to sample what life would be like if they moved to the other side of the world.
Hi there,
Myself and my husband Mark came on the 12pm dolphin swim with Ian and Charlotte today and had a brilliant time, and just wanted to say another big thank you! Despite us arriving a bit late at the harbour (and the weather being a bit dodgy!), the lady checking us in was amazingly helpful and offered us all sorts of options in case we wanted to cancel because of the weather, but in the end we decided to go for it as it was actually my birthday so it seemed worth a go!
Ian and Charlotte were both fantastic, especially when it got to us being in the water. They were so enthusiastic and it spurred us all on in our singing and tapping to get the dolphins’ attention! They made sure we knew when there were any dolphins coming towards us, and kept us safe and entertained throughout the whole trip. I’ve been on dolphin swimming trips 5 times in NZ (the other 4 all in the Bay of Islands!) but this was by far the most memorable and best run trip I’ve ever been on, and a huge part of that was down to Ian and Charlotte and also the lady at the check-in (sorry I didn’t catch her name). So a big thank you to all of the team at Black Cat Cruises. Many thanks; we’ll be recommending you to all of our friends in Christchurch.
Louise
Hi Sonya,
Thanks. I have my photos. The swim with the Dolphins was very special. A highlight in my life. I wish you and your team continued success with the high standard of environmental awareness you create on these tours. I think you set a world standard and Have no doubt you keep it.
I look forward to being on one of these tours in the near future, again. Good luck to you and your team especially with the conservation effort. Kind regards,
Valentine
24
Mar
Mar
Orca have been making regular visits to both Akaroa and Lyttelton Harbours recently. It’s thought pods range up and down the South Island. Orca are a natural predator of the Hector’s dolphins so though it’s an awesome sight its also good they move on! This shot was taken just outside the Akaroa Heads.
You may also be interested to know the travel site “Travel Associates” based in Australia has just named Akaroa as one of the top 5 places in the world to swim with dolphins.
The top 5 spots were:
Akaroa, New Zealand
Oahu and Kona, Hawaii
Azores Archipelago
Bimini, Bahamas
The Red Sea
Check out their detailed list here
Early in March 15 year old Aescleah Hawkins, supported by the WWF and Black Cat, walked from Christchurch to Akaroa with 10 others including Black Cat MD Paul Bingham to raise money and awareness of the Hector’s dolphins. The walk raised $16,000 and attracted lots of media attention with articles in The Press, Sunday Times and Breakfast TV amongst others. Pictured here is Mayor Bob Parker farewelling the group and the walkers arriving in Akaroa Harbour.
07
Mar
Mar
If you are in Christchurch you may notice our new shuttle bus operating daily between Cathedral Square and Lyttelton. The bright new graphics are hard to miss. The shuttle also operates to Willowbank in the evening and so also features kiwis and other land based wildlife.
Our two largest vessels, Black Cat and Canterbury Cat now have defibrillators on board. These brief case sized medical emergency kits allow our team to better face any medical situation on board. As the only boats on the harbours with this equipment we are now an even safer option for your customers. The ‘defibs’ cost 8000 and were supplied by the Red Cross.