NZ is Americans' honeymoon heaven

New Zealand is the world's honeymoon heaven to millions of Americans.

They are the ones who watched as Californians Jason Waggoner and Molly Mouchka won a competition on the Today Show - the biggest breakfast show in the US - in which the audience voted on every aspect of the couple's live-on-TV wedding.

The viewers of Today Throws a Wedding also chose the honeymoon venue, voting on-line from a shortlist of exotic destinations.

More than 5.5 million people voted, and a New Zealand honeymoon featuring the Bay of Islands, Queenstown and Wanaka was the favourite.

Sam Porter, of Auckland travel company Seasonz, said he was "rapt" after his itinerary beat thousands of others sent in to the show.

But that was nothing compared to the benefits for New Zealand tourism, he said.

"This is the perfect honeymoon destination - you've got the romantic lodges, the seclusion, the great scenery, and the adventure these young couples are looking for."

On Tuesday the newly-weds took a helicopter from Auckland to Kauri Cliffs Lodge, Matauri Bay.

Yesterday they went on a boat charter for a spot of fishing and a feed of fresh mussels.

Time and weather permitting, they would also take a helicopter trip around Cape Reinga and go quad biking at Ahipara.

They were due to fly to Queenstown today.

Though millions of Americans had already tuned in, the real boon would come when the couple went home.

"They'll go back and be interviewed on the biggest talk shows about the great time they had - and that's priceless, the best direct marketing we could hope for," said Mr Porter.

He said New Zealand was highly rated in Britain - this week New Zealand won the top destination award at the Guardian Travel Awards - but struggled to get the same kind of profile in the US.

Tourism New Zealand boss George Hickton said the fact Northland was chosen as one of three places the honeymooners would visit in New Zealand was an accolade to the region.

"It shows the high calibre of the tourism attractions Northland offers," he said

"It comes at a time when more of our American visitors are becoming interested in venturing to all parts of the country, and that can only be good for Northland."

The US is New Zealand's third biggest tourist market. In the year to the end of August, 224,000 Americans visited, spending more than $600 million.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)