MEMBERS SINCE 2012

We have a modern town-house in central Blenheim, no more than a 5 minute walk from shops, pool, cinema and restaurants. The living area is over two floors, with two-car garaging in the large basement garage, which has internal access, and external access by secure radio operated doors.

The master bedroom is on the first floor with en suite. The guest bedroom is on the ground floor, with the second bathroom. The third bedroom is used as an office, with a double settee which can be used to extend the sleeping accommodation to 6.

We also have a small bach (Kiwi for "holiday home") at Canvastown, on the Pelorus River, 40 minutes north-west of Blenheim. It has two double bedrooms, a barbeque, good summer swimming, and occasional rainbow trout. It is small and slightly primitive, but visitors are welcome to use it. A bonus is the nearby Trout Hotel, which serves the best fish and chips in the world!

Blenheim is the principal town of Marlborough, the major wine producing area of New Zealand. It is in central New Zealand, at the top of the South Island. Vineyards are now the principal agricultural activity, and wine-making the principal industry. As a result tourism and hospitality are now growth industries. Dining at the many vineyard restaurants has become almost as popular as Marlborough's famous Sauvignon Blanc wines.

The second town of Marlborough is Picton, 15 miles from Blenheim, and the southern terminus of the inter-island ferry services to the North Island. Picton gives access to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, now home to many water based tourist activities - a very beautiful and popular summer holiday playground. The Queen Charlotte Walk in the Sounds is an up to 3 day walk which attracts walkers from all over the world.

90 minutes south of Blenheim is Kaikoura, formerly a small country town servicing the local fishing and dairy industries, now a major tourist destination for whale-watching and swimming with dolphins.

90 minutes west of Blenheim is Nelson, also a popular summer holiday town, giving access to, amongst other attractions, the Abel Tasman National Park, even more popular with walkers.

The capital city, Wellington, is a 3 hour ferry trip from Picton. In summer, concession day trips are offered by the two ferry companies.

We hope to be in England for the 2015 RWC, and seek an exchange with non rugby enthusiasts who would be comfortable being absent England for that duration. We would also like to see a little more of the UK, where we have spent many happy times. We have other accommodation available, and are therefore able to arrange a non-simultaneous exchange.