Lovely lake inspires our winner

A graphic description of beautiful Lake Rotopounamu, on the Volcanic Plateau, has won Malcolm Glenny the first prize in our New Zealand Magic competition.

Runner-up is Tanya Cumberland's entertaining and informative tale of a drive down the Awhitu Peninsula to the south head of Manukau Harbour.

For their efforts they will win a free weekend at one of two luxury boutique lodges, Umoya Lodge and Vintner's Haven, both within an hour's drive of Auckland (Malcolm, as the winner, gets first pick).

The other finalists, chosen by travel editor Jim Eagles and multi-award-winning travel writer Graham Reid, were Bob and Leonie Manson, for their description of Nikau Cave in the Waikato; Amanda Kyne, who shared the gift of Ti Point, Northland; and Jill Toplis for her piece on Elliotts Bay, also in Northland.

Umoya Lodge and Vintners Haven are members of Boutique Lodgings of New Zealand and you can find out about them, and other boutique lodges around the country, on the web at Lodgings.

All entries went in a draw for copies of Boutique Lodgings of New Zealand. The lucky 15 were: Anna Murphy, Dargaville; Trish Silvester, Whakatane; Sarah Young, Manly; Dianna McKinnon, Thames; A. Russell, Papakura; Jeannette McCallum, Waihi Beach; Suzanne Mexted-Dykes, Rotorua; Nicola Roderick, Grey Lynn; Allistar Walker, Milford; Tanya Cumberland, Waiuku; Barbara McGillivray, Whangamata; Jill Toplis, Paihia; Vicki Wild, Hamilton; Cheryl Clarke, Pakuranga; Ian and Gerd Free, Devonport.