BEYOND MIDDLE EARTH

The spectacular landscape of New Zealand has captured the popular imagination through moviemaking wizardry, but the destination itself is much more than mesmerizing scenery. Three Rosewood luxury lodges, and the people who nurture the land and protect their way of life, will cast an enduring spell on visitors.

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If first impressions are anything to go by, then it appears that nothing is more precious to the Kiwis than their land and culture. On my restful Air New Zealand business class flight to Auckland, I had an inkling: a detailed customs declaration form had to be filled out, the sustainably sourced amenity kit featured home-grown beauty ingredients, and Maori words were replete in the carrier’s inflight magazine named Kia Ora, which is a greeting for good health. But it wouldn’t be until my travelling party embarked on our week-long November adventure through the country that I couldn’t help but be impressed by their way of life.

On the itinerary were three ultra-luxury Robertson Lodges that have very recently joined the distinguished Rosewood Hotels & Resorts portfolio. And how better to mark the group’s entry into Oceania than to offer a journey that, as I would discover, truly captures the spirit of the destination? There is simply so much more to Aotearoa, New Zealand’s Maori name, beyond the soaring mountains and idyllic pastures seen on the silver screen. Kiwis have a unique way of remembering their roots.

Julian Robertson, late American hedge fund billionaire and founder of the award-winning lodges, had discovered this in the 1990s and would become a hotelier to unveil the destination’s magic to others. His passion is clearly shared by the resort staff, who’d enthusiastically share informative tidbits mass tourists wouldn’t otherwise be privy to.