Hot deals: Short breaks from Wellington to the tropics

Under $180

Stay in a magnificently restored heritage building in central Wellington for two nights at half the usual price. Designed in 1927, the Wellesley Boutique Hotel is in Maginnity St in the heart of the capital city's central business district. Pay $175 a night for an executive suite with continental breakfast, your morning newspaper and use of the health club. This package is for two people and you must stay a minimum of two nights.

Contact: Book online on the Wotif website (see link below), freephone 0800 441 092.

Under $500

Take your beloved to Tahiti for Valentine's Day.

A Valentine's airfare is available for $499 return a person, departing from Auckland on February 13 - in time to spend February 14 on Tahiti - and returning the next day. Accommodation is not included. Airport, departure taxes, and other surcharges are also extra.

Contact: Holiday Shoppe, freephone 0800 80 84 80.

Under $840

This is a hot deal that puts your sense of spontaneity to the test - it is on sale only until the close of business today.

The package is priced from $837 a person, twin-share and includes seven nights in Port Douglas, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and return flights with Air New Zealand to Cairns. Accommodation is at the Bay Villas Resort.

This price is valid for travel between April 1 and June 17, but must be booked today. Airport and departure taxes and other surcharges are not included.

Contact: Holiday Shoppe, freephone 0800 80 84 80.

Under $2040

Air New Zealand has released a new airfare specifically for families wanting return flights from Auckland to Nadi between April 1 and September 16.

Seven-night packages start from $2039 for a family of two adults and one child or $2469 for a family of two adults and two children. Children must be aged between 2 and 11 years, inclusive. Accommodation is at the Beachside Resort in Nadi, Fiji. Bookings and payment must be made by February 20. The package cannot be used for departures between April 9 and 30 or between July 3 and 22.

Contact: Destinations Unlimited, 09 4141680.