The Venue

• The Venue

  This year's conference places participants firmly into the heart of the New Zealand province of Hawke's Bay. The conference will be hosted in the city of Hastings (population 62,000), while the delegates will be accommodated 20 minutes away in the nearby seaside city of Napier (population 54,000).

  Hawke's Bay is a one hour flight or a five hour drive by motor vehicle from New Zealand's largest city, Auckland (population 2 million). Connecting domestic flights from Auckland airport to Napier/Hastings airport occur ten times daily. Napier airport itself is just three minutes from the centre of Napier City and the waterfront region where conference delegates will be accommodated.

  Visitors arriving from or through Australia can also access Hawke's Bay from the city of Wellington (population 163,000), the Capital City of New Zealand. Direct flights from Wellington to Napier occur six times daily, or by motor vehicle it is a comfortable four hours drive from Wellington.

• The Province of Hawke's Bay

  Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's leading food and wine region. With 2200 hours of sunshine annually, Hawke's Bay is a year-round holiday destination. Although the conference is scheduled for the New Zealand winter, delegates will be impressed by the Hawke's Bay natural beauty, its wine and cuisine, world class golf courses, fly fishing opportunities in nearby rivers and lakes and its Art Deco architecture. The region is the country's oldest wine making region and is New Zealand's leading producer of award winning red wines.

  In 1931 both Hastings and Napier were destroyed by a massive earthquake. From the resulting reconstruction (which has been well preserved), almost all of the older buildings reflect the Art Deco architecture of the 1930's.

  Napier, with its beautiful Norfolk Pine-lined beachfront, character filled architecture and lovely restaurants, is an ideal place to accommodate delegates.

  The weather in Hawke's Bay in July is chilly, with temperatures varying between 5˚ C overnight to a daytime average of about 13˚C. We can, however, promise that the hospitality and kindness extended to you will be much warmer and you will really enjoy your stay in our special slice of what is a magnificent country.

• Discover New Zealand

  New Zealand is situated in the Pacific Ocean and has been described as one of the most beautiful countries of the world. With a small population of under 4.5 million people it is described by National Geographic as a 'world in miniature'. It is a land of awesome natural scenery and remarkable contrasts.

  The North Island consists of lush green farmland, golden sandy beaches, hot thermal springs, meandering trout rivers and streams, soaring geysers and exotic native bush. One can ski in the morning on Mt Ruapehu and be surfing at a beautiful golden sandy beach at Mt Maunganui that afternoon.

  The South Island is an island of extremes – magnificent fiords, sparkling snow covered alps, pristine lakes, ancient glaciers, subtropical and primeval forests and rolling farmland. As this island is not as densely populated as the North Island there are many places where you can simply stop, listen and take in the sights.

  There is no excuse to be bored whilst in New Zealand as there are attractions to satisfy every taste. From the extreme adventure pursuits of jumping out of a plane or off a bridge attached only by an elastic bungy, to drifting in a yacht on the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland or tasting wines in many of the fine wine regions.

  Delegates will be able to easily travel from Hawke's Bay to Wellington or to the ski slopes, lakes and mountains of the South Island. Air New Zealand, our country's national airline, has confirmed that extra flights will quickly move participants at the conclusion of the IBSC conference to some of country's biggest tourist attractions.

  The Lonely Planet Guide states 'New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty, glacial mountains, fast flowing rivers, deep clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests, bird life (including the famous kiwi), deserted beaches and a great variety of flora and fauna'.