New video series offers fresh light

SIGHTS ONLINE: Rotorua's Hidden Hot Spots is a six-part video series released online by Destination Rotorua Marketing. PHOTO/CHRIS MCLENNAN RVGNOV29-13

An online video series called Rotorua's Hidden Hot Spots has been released this week by Destination Rotorua Marketing to further promote Rotorua to the world.

The collection of six short videos, between 1 min 16 secs and 1m 36s long, takes viewers on a visual journey through the hidden gems around Rotorua, featuring forest, family, adventure, luxury and spa videos as well as a look at contemporary Maori culture.

Destination Rotorua Marketing manager Oscar Nathan said the idea behind the series was to challenge people's perceptions of Rotorua.

"As locals we all know the envious lifestyle Rotorua offers - the beauty of the Redwood Forest, all the adventure sports on our doorstep, the geothermal spas to visit and the amazing experiences we have here. This series is about sharing some of those secrets," he said.

The series aims to build on the success of the Famously Rotorua television commercial, but show a more in-depth picture of what's available in Rotorua.

The videos were commissioned by Destination Rotorua Marketing and filmed and produced by local company Cadre Productions.

Film-maker Nick Stevenson said the beauty of the project was the opportunity to show off his hometown's hidden secrets to the rest of New Zealand and the world.

"There's so much more to Rotorua than meets the eye.

"Collectively I hope the series changes perceptions of how people think about Rotorua," he said.

The six short films are An Adventurous Weekend in Rotorua, Relax with family in Rotorua, A Rotorua eco-adventure, A day in the life of the Redwoods, A luxury weekend in Rotorua and A fresh look at contemporary Maori culture.

The videos have been released online and can be found at www.rotoruanz.com/hiddenhotspots/.