Welcome to Destinationz.
We publish a travel publication twice a year – Summer and Winter editions – for people who enjoy travelling within New Zealand. Destinationz is an A4 glossy magazine. We aim to reach the mid to high socio-economic readership through our phenomenal distribution.
Destinationz is home delivered to 90,000 readers, available in stands throughout the Greater Wellington Region, and hand delivered to inner-city cafés and bars. We home deliver along the Northern Corridor from Thorndon to Paekākāriki, Petone to the Haywards, down to the Eastern Bays, through to Wellington Central and out to Seatoun. We are also available at pickup points from Waikanae through to Ōtaki and at Wairarapa cafés and restaurants. We deliver to hotels, motels, and i-SITE centres nationwide and have a comprehensive what’s on listing of events in the areas we cover.
The publication is available online, not only to read but also for convenient access to individual advertiser’s websites. Simply click on the advertisement to be taken there directly.
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Madelaine Empson |
Kia ora, my name is Madelaine and I’m a travel writer for Destinationz. My colleague and I tread Aotearoa’s beaten tracks and the offbeat ones, visiting hotspots and hidden gems alike. We keep a record of where we go and what we do and report it back to you, almost to the minute. Our travel pieces are personal and subjective – we write about what we loved, and what we hope you’ll love too.
It’s great fun roaming about New Zealand with my notepad, meeting the locals of the small towns, big cities, and everywhere in between. So far, I’ve visited Wairarapa for a romantic getaway; Nelson-Golden Bay for sun, sand, and surf; Queenstown for adrenaline-pumping adventure; The Catlins for complete immersion into the natural world; the Top of the South (Picton, Arapaoa Island, Kaikōura, and Hanmer Springs) for a delicious midwinter escape; Blenheim and Marlborough, the land of the long green mussels; and Ōtepoti Dunedin for history, heritage, and a whole lotta cool. I then achieved the rather noble goal of eating my way up and down Kapiti and Horowhenua.
Most recently, I got to bliss out on cloud wine in Hawke’s Bay, where I explored the art deco capital of Napier, the boutique village of Havelock North, and the wineries dotted about the region like grapes on the vine.
In my spare(?) time, I’m often out at the theatre or a concert, a festival or an awards ceremony as the editor of Regional News, the fortnightly arts publication we produce here in Wellington. It’s a dream and privilege to write about the things I’m most passionate about: arts, culture, and travel.
We’re so lucky to live in a country as beautiful as New Zealand and I can’t wait to traipse more terrain. Watch this space – or rather, watch these feet!
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Alessia Belsito-Riera |
Hello, kia ora, and ciao! My name is Alessia, and I get to write about my travels around Aotearoa New Zealand thanks to Destinationz.
Travel is in my DNA. I took my first plane trip when I was eight months old because I was fortunate enough to grow up between Santa Catalina Island in California, and the mountains of Tuscany in Italy. My grandparents were first and second-generation immigrants who travelled from the region of Calabria in Italy to sunny California. My other grandparents moved from the UK to New Zealand in the 70s. I’ve hopped between all three my whole life – I was born a traveller.
From traversing the varied West Coast and otherworldly Southwest of America, to exploring orange-hued Italy and colourful Europe, I’ve experienced the kind of places that many think exist only in movies… and my fair share of delicious meals!
I moved to New Zealand in 2018, and I can confidently say that our land of the long white cloud is one of those special corners of the world. We have everything we could want right here between our two islands – from snowy peaks to long sandy beaches, bustling cultural metropolis to idyllic country villages.
Over the last few years, I have had the pleasure of exploring most of the North Island: its cities, its nature, its wildlife, its eateries, and so much more. I love a good summer roady and have criss-crossed most of the island that way. With Destinationz I have traipsed through beautiful sun-soaked New Plymouth and the sultry endless summer of Whangārei. I hope to see more of the South Island in the future.
Wherever I have the privilege of roaming, there’s one thing I know for sure: it won’t be the last time, because I love exploring our big, blue marble.