Regions in the spotlight included Northland, the area north of Auckland, where new routes such as the Ancient Kauri Trail Byway aim to breathe new life and tourism dollars into local towns, and Taranaki, which publisher Lonely Planet named as its number two global region to visit in 2017.

Venture Taranaki marketing executive Gemma Leathem told TTG that just 2% of its visitors were from overseas, but operators such as Forgotten World Adventures were helping change this.

Operators aiming to make the most of the night sky in remote locations included Earth and Sky, whose Mountain Top Stargazing experiences near Lake Tekapo, an area famed for its dark skies and observatories; and Waimarino Glow Worm Kayaking, based in the Bay of Plenty, which has seen demand for its Evening Glow Worm Experiences increase by 40% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, operator Purepod revealed plans to grow its portfolio of high-end eco-cabins, which incorporate glass walls, floors and ceilings, from four to more than 30.

Good examples of the slew of new cycling trails being offered included the Timber Trail and the Old Ghost Road, while many regions were pushing their short walks as an alternative to the country’s range of multi-day Great Walks.