I’ve spent a wonderful week in Auckland, thoroughly enjoying the splendid accommodations at The Langham Auckland (a member of The Leading Hotels of the World) and the generosity and hospitality of its staff. My first taste of the warmth of the New Zealand people, though, came before I even stepped aboard my Air New Zealand flight in San Francisco. The ticket counter and boarding gate staff all greeted me as if they were genuinely happy to see me and were truly concerned about helping me in any way they could. This went beyond the standard courteous but rather rote treatment one generally receives in these situations.

 I also found the same kind, authentic warmth on board the plane; even though we were nearing the end of a 13-hour, nearly full flight, one of the attendants took a few moments to chat with me about my trip to New Zealand and share with me some of her favorite sites around Auckland. Again, this didn’t feel like an obligatory contact she was required to make (have a brief conversation with at least two passengers sometime during each flight — check) but a natural friendliness and interest in another human being. How refreshing!

Throughout this week I’ve continued to experience the open and friendly spirit of New Zealand residents, from cab drivers to shop attendants to servers at restaurants and cafes. And I cannot sing enough the praises of Rachel Broadmore, The Langham’s marketing and communications manager who designed this press tour, along with Jo Mackie and Rachel Keen from Tourism Auckland, and who has shepherded us through long days and nights with unflagging grace and good humor. Along with Jeffrey van Vorsselen, managing director at this beautiful five-star property, she has exemplified a comfortable and welcoming hospitality that seems to be a nearly universal Kiwi trait. Admittedly, this is my first such professional trip, but one needn’t have spent years as a travel journalist to be able to detect a genuinely open spirit as opposed to typical position-mandated courtesy.

I’ll be sharing my experiences in and around Auckland over the next several weeks in my blogs as well as in upcoming eFlyer reviews  and in GT. The quick summation, though, is an enthusiastic thumbs up for this part of the world and her welcoming citizens. My travel tip for the week? Put this lovely country on your travel list of places to visit.

— Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader