Bundaberg, Australia to Central Virginia, Central North Carolina and Baton Rouge, USA

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1 July 2018 The Journeys listed in the South Pacific eflyer are open to all ambassadors, representing some of the many places where you can experience new cultures and expand your global circle of friends. If you are interested in any of the following Journeys, please contact the Journey Coordinator directly.

2 Journey Number Bundaberg, Australia to Central Virginia, Central North Carolina and Baton Rouge, USA October 2018 Friendship Force Bundaberg invites you to join club members on an autumn Journey to three clubs in the eastern part of the USA. $4,000 AUD (approx.) (includes International Airfare, FFI & Host Fees) The three US clubs almost guarantee spectacular autumn colours as we travel from north to south in October this year. Our first hosting is with Friendship Force Central Virginia based in and around Charlottesville. The area is rich in American history and more information about the club and the area s attractions can be found here and under Who We Are/Our Clubs on the FFI website. Charlottesville is located about 160 km south of Washington DC. Graham Duldig lyngraham.d@bigpond.com Host Clubs: FF Central Virginia FF Central North Carolina FF Baton Rouge The next hosting is in the adjoining state of North Carolina. The Friendship Force Central North Carolina club is based on the three adjacent cities of Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to help tailor the activities programme that the club will prepare for us. The final Journey is to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This promises to be a fun Journey as Baton Rouge Friendship Force visited Bundaberg in August 2016 and they are very keen for the reciprocal visit from Australia. Please contact the Ambassador Coordinator to find out more about the Journeys and possible pre- and post-tours.

3 Journey Number Napier, New Zealand to Norderstedt, Germany and Greater Izmir, Turkey (with Istanbul, Gallipoli and Anzac Dawn Service) April 2019 $6500 includes FFI and hosting fees, flights, hotel accommodation and group transport Joy Kennerley Host Clubs: FF Norderstedt FF Greater Izmir On 12th April we fly to Copenhagen for a 3-night stay before travelling by train/ferry to Hamburg, Germany, where we will be met by our hosts from Norderstedt FF. Norderstedt is located at the northern border of the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, 80 kilometres from the North Sea. Hosting will include visiting the beautiful buildings of Hamburg, viewing forest and farmland, and maybe a harbour cruise. From Hamburg we fly to Istanbul, Turkey. In Istanbul, Intrepid will provide us with a guide and transport for the next 6 days. On 24th we go out to the Gallipoli Peninsula to experience overnight outdoors and the ANZAC Commemorative Dawn Service. Also included are guided visits to such sights as the Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. On 28th as we travel toward Izmir we will overnight in Ayvalik, a pretty seaside village. In Izmir (once the ancient city of Smyrna), expect a large city set around a beautiful bay, lots of history, and modernity, an overnight trip to Ephesus and the Virgin Mary s House and wonderful Turkish cuisine. A visit to Gallipoli is our special add-on. Ambassadors must be prepared to spend a night in the open at Gallipoli and walk several kilometres in Norderstedt. Applications (forms on FFI website or FFNZ website, or available from Coordinators) should be returned by August 30th to enable Gallipoli Bookings. A 3-night stay in Singapore is optional (but costed in) to break the journey home. Estimated cost from Auckland to Auckland $6500 includes FFI and hosting fees, flights, hotel accommodation, and group transport.

4 Journey Number Marlborough and Kapiti Coast to Hsinchu, Taiwan and Kyoto, Japan April 2019 $5500 (indicative) Gillian Cooper Host Clubs: FF Hsinchu FF Kyoto-Fukuchiyama We would welcome expressions of interest in this Journey for I know it seems like early days but we need to start making bookings. This inquiry does not commit you to the Journey. Hsinchu hosting is 12 April to 18 April. Fukuchiyama hosting is 21 April to 27 April. Our tentative plan is to fly direct into Taipei 10 April and gather the group for bonding before joining our hosts in Hsinchu on 12 April. We would fly to Japan on 18 April where we would have 3 nights in Kyoto. We begin our second journey by seeing Kyoto City on 21 April and then we would travel to Fukuchiyama for the rest of our journey. This is about 1.5 hrs by train from Kyoto. Our final night would be in Kyoto where we say farewell to each other. You can either join a coach tour and explore more of Japan, carry on to Europe to explore or take the opportunity of flying to China on the way home as we will be doing. To budget for this journey we are giving you the price Blenheim to Blenheim with no extras. $4300 for flights and accommodation and transfers $1200 for FFI Fees and hosting $5500 total. Remember this is only an indicative price

5 Journey Number Auckland-North Shore, New Zealand to Korolev, Russia and Baku, Azerbaijan May 2019 On application to coordinator Don Wrigglesworth hipforce.org.nz Host Clubs: FF Korolov FF Baku If you wish an extra special Journey in 2019, what about one to eastern Europe? We are lucky to have been allocated a Journey to Korolov in Russia and Baku in Azerbaijan. The Korolov club was founded in 1995 and has 40 members. The city itself, located about 20 minutes northeast of Moscow, is named after Sergei Korolov, the founder of the Russian Space Industry, and many facilities such as mission control are centred here. The club can arrange very special excursions to space exploration facilities such as Star City, where Russian cosmonauts live and train. A Journey usually spends two days in Moscow visiting the Kremlin and Red Square and a bus sightseeing tour to the ancient Russian city of Pereslavl-Zalessky to acquaint the ambassadors with folk traditions. A second day is to the city and monastery of Sergiyev Posad, the center of Russian Orthodox culture. During every Journey, each family treats its guests to the most delicious and special dishes of Russian national cuisine. We move then to Azerbaijan and the FF club of Baku situated in the eastern area near the Caspian Sea. Their 200,000 year history is very complex because of the many invasions due to natural resources. So much of the economy today is based on their oil and gas reserves. Baku is an ancient city, so there are lots of places of interest, such as Shirvanshakh s Palace (AD 1400s), Maiden Tower (eight storey fortress), Ateshgah (the Fire Worshippers Temple), Mardakan flower garden, Sengachal Oil Terminal, Museum of Applied Art, Carpet Museum, Baku boulevard, Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Inner City where one can see shops of antiques and carpets. There will also be cruises, restaurant visits, and concerts where we can enjoy their amazing culture. But there is so much more Aga Mosque, Open Air Museum with Neolithic rock drawings, Gelersen-Gorersen fortress (8-9th centuries) and so on. Baku means where the wind strikes hard, but the climate is subtropical, so please join us for this cultural adventure.

6 Journey Number Hobart, Australia to Shelby and Suncoast, USA 26 October - 9 November, 2018 Shelby is nestled in Cleveland County, North Carolina along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is approx. 100,000 people in the county. Cleveland County has a rich farming history. TBD Ambassadors are shown a variety of places, and some of the places they will be taken to include Charlotte (capital), Grandfather Mountain (Mile High Bridge), cheese tasting, the BMW plant, churches, fresco viewing, Schiele Museum, Mt. Mitchell and the Greer Plantation. Anthea Hamnett hamnett@netspace.net.au Host Clubs: FF Shelby, North Carolina FF Florida Suncoast, Florida Beaches are Florida s calling card, and the Suncoast is made up of a number of white sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Visits may include the Dali museum, Botanical Gardens, Fort Desoto, Museum of Fine Arts, Ybor City to see Cuban Cigars being made, African American Museum, Seabird Sanctuary and numerous art galleries. This area is a major embarkation point to the Caribbean Islands. Short and longer cruises are available, and you can fly home from Miami. We the FF of Hobart have a number of vacancies and we would like you to join us on this Journey. Contact Anthea Hamnett for more info.

7 Journey Number Hamilton and Waikato, New Zealand to Salisbury, Albany and Perth, Australia September, 2018 $3500 approx. (includes all FFI and club host fees) Vivienne Gellert ph: Host Clubs: FF Salisbury and Northern Districts FF Albany We begin our Journey in Salisbury, situated approximately 20 km north of Adelaide. It became a city in 1964 and now has a population of 129,111. The area has wonderful wetlands. It is a fast growing area attracting manufacturers such as Michell Wool Processing Industry, R.M. Williams & Co, manufacturer of outback clothing and footwear for stockmen and women. Near the historic Parafield light aircraft airport is the Levels Technology Park, which has a fast-growing reputation for excellence in Research, Science and Electronics with a major Computer Centre. The Defence Science and Technology Organisation have extensive research facilities. We then fly to Albany situated on the south coast of Western Australia, approximately 400 kms from the capital city of Perth, which has a population of 34,000. The main industries of the area are tourism, fishing, agriculture, forestry and wineries. Prior to the 1950s, whaling was one of the major sources of income and employment, along with woollen mills and agriculture. Albany is surrounded by National Parks and Reserves. The Port of Albany is set on the beautiful King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour and is steeped in early Western Australian maritime history. During World War 1, it was the last view of Australia thousands of soldiers saw before sailing off to Europe and Gallipoli. Albany was the site of the first European settlement in Western Australia and has many heritage buildings. It is renowned for its many natural attractions including the Natural Bridge and the Gap. Wildflowers are in abundance in the Stirling Range and Porongorup National Parks in springtime, while whales can be seen off the beach during whale season (July to October). Our trip finishes with 3 days travelling up the West Coast to Perth

8 Journey Number Auckland North Shore, New Zealand to Central Coast and Mount Barker, Australia August 2018 $1,500 - $2,000 NZD (includes FFI & Host Fees) Don Wrigglesworth (Auckland North Shore) patdon.w@gmail.com Host Clubs: FF Central Coast FF Mount Barker August would be a great time to get away from the cold weather in NZ for a visit to our Aussie mates. Our first four days will be spent at FF Central Coast located just north of Sydney. The region is a network of towns such as Gosford, Brisbane Waters, Wyong, Tuggerah, Lakehaven, The Entrance, Terrigal and Woy Woy, and many people who live here commute daily to Sydney for work. The main drivers are tourism, manufacturing and retirement, and include the Hunter Valley region with its mining, heavy industry and port. The Aboriginal people have inhabited this region for thousands of years, and the Guringai and Darkinjung tribes some of the first to come into contact with the settlers. We then move west to a very different area at FF Mount Barker. Situated near Lake Alexandrina at the mouth of the longest river in Australia the River Murray at 2,375 kilometers in length, this area thrives on agriculture and mining which have for many years contributed to the diversity of the district. We may visit one of the boutique Adelaide Hills wineries at the Southern Vales, Langhorne Creek, and the Barossa Valley. We will take in the flora and fauna of magnificent red gum eucalyptus and many varieties of other native and exotic flora and of course kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, emus, galahs, and magpies. The area abounds in small townships with unique museums, art galleries, historical homesteads, market gardens and orchards. Featured high among these are Strathalbyn with its strong Scottish heritage, and Hahndorf & Lobethal with their remarkable German charm. Great times, great friends and a Journey not to be missed.

9 Journey Number Albany, Australia to Itanhaem & Belem, Brazil 24 Aug - 8 Sept, 2018 $450 USD (includes FFI and host fees, not including international airfare) Brazil is a fascinating, vibrant country. When our Friendship Force Club hosted ambassadors from Brazil, we really knew we were alive. We had never had so much music, dancing, and laughter in one week, so we are looking forward eagerly to visiting these two Brazilian clubs. There are several places still available. Elizabeth Sugars elizabeth.sugars@hotmail.com Itanhaém Seaside Resort City of Belem - Brazil Host Clubs: FF Itanhaem FF Belem Optional Extension Tour: Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon, Quito and Galapagos Islands ($10,000 AUD) A group of ambassadors has booked a 24-day tour of South America prior to the FF Journey. The tour is with Chimu Adventures and is based on their product Trip Code LATSSAB5 and covers Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon, Quito and Galapagos Islands. The cost is approximately AU $ (For information on this add-on contact Paula at Helloworld, Albany WA or paula.albanycentral@helloworld.com)

10 Journey Number Newcastle, Australia to Curitiba and Nova Lima, Brazil 25 Aug - 12 Sept 2018 TBD (will include FFI & host fees) Andrea Deveridge aldevo@icloud.com Looking for an impetus to go on a South American adventure? Ever participated in the samba, tasted barreado, partaken in Brazil s national drink - the caipirinha - or wanted to experience Brazil outside a major city and traffic congestion? Then join Newcastle FF s Journey to Brazil. Firstly we are welcomed in the innovative urban planned city of Curitiba, with train trips to nearby Morretes - a 17th to 19th century picturesque colonial town known for its artisan crafts, and to Vila Velha - an important archaeological site of beautiful landscapes created over millions of years. Host Clubs: FF Curitiba FF Nova Lima Our Journey then heads to the smaller city of Nova Lima noted for gold and iron ore mining and surrounded by heritage reserves and National Parks. Curitiba and Nova Lima FF Clubs are working together to maximise our Brazilian experience. Come join Newcastle FF for an exciting Journey to a culture waiting to amaze us.

11 Journey Number Marlborough, New Zealand to Vietnam October 2018 $6,000 - $7,000 NZD (includes FFI, Host & Tour Fees) Robert Cooper ffmvietnam@gmail.com Hosts: The Vietnam-USA Society This is a Journey with a guide and four nights of home hosting with local families. All other accommodation will be in hotels. Cruise Ha Long Bay and stay overnight in the splendour of the hills. Visit beautiful Sapa, and meet the Tay and Day tribes. Climb the highest mountain in Southeast Asia (cable car and tram available, unless you are real energetic). Visit a market or learn about the culture and history of the ancient royal city of Hue. Shop in Hanoi. Listen to Royal music in the Imperial Citadel in Hue. Take a boat tour on the Perfume River. Do these and many other exciting things as you travel through the country. Learn about the history and architecture of Hoi An, a world cultural heritage site. Visit Ben Thanh market and shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will commence on the 1st October 2018 and is for 16 days. There will be an optional extra going into Cambodia and cruising on the Mekong river. Only six spaces left!

12 Journey Number Nelson, New Zealand to North Moreton and Blue Mountains, Australia 18 Oct - 3 Nov 2018 $2,500 - $3,000 NZD (includes FFI & Host Fees) Audrey Ki audrey.kitto@gmail.com Host Clubs: FF North Moreton FF Blue Mountains This is an opportunity to visit our cousins across the ditch at not too much cost during spring time. Our first hosting is at FF North Moreton, which is just north of Brisbane. This area has so much to offer beautiful beaches, scenic mountains, lakes, rainforest walks, boutique wineries, kangaroos on the doorstep they ve got it all. There will be a chance to walk through the rainforest near the Glasshouse Mountains Marvel and hear the calls of the whip birds. We may cruise up Pumicestone Passage or along the Brisbane River, or enjoy a barbeque at sunset as the kangaroos hop nearby. Get close to a koala at the fabulous Australia Zoo, the creation of legendary Crocodile Man, Steve Irwin. Walk with us along one of the most beautiful beaches in the world at Bribie Island. A warm sub-tropical climate offers comfortable living throughout the year. Historically, Redcliffe was the first settlements in Queensland and was once a penal colony. We then move south and spend 3 days in the amazing city of Sydney. Then it s up the mountains we go to our hosting with FF Blue Mountains. This area is now a major gateway to Western New South Wales and is a very popular weekend getaway for Sydney-siders. The city of the Blue Mountains comprises 26 townships which are dotted along the Great Western Highway and has a permanent residential population of around 74,000. The climate is somewhat more temperate than Sydney. We will be there during their spring when the temperature is very agreeable. The great outdoors is all the go, and they offer a wide range of choices such as the Three Sisters, Jenolan Caves, Katoomba Scenic Railway, Knapsack Viaduct, the Edge Cinema, the Giant Stairway, and much more. On a rainy day, we could visit the Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum and/or the Toy and Railway Museum.

13 Journey Number TBD All New Zealand Journey to FFI World Conference and USA clubs July 2019 TBD Colin Ridge (Taupo) or Debbie Lattey Host Clubs: TBD This is an early advice of an All New Zealand Journey to the World Conference at Boulder, Colorado in July We are currently working with clubs in the USA to provide hosting before and after along with side trips. Please watch the next eflyer for more Information.

14 Journey Coordinator Invitation Hello friends, I m Thiago Lorena, Journey Coordinator of the November 7-19 Journey, Fortaleza, Manaus and Amazon Village. Please join me on a very special Journey with two distinct experiences in the sunny Fortaleza and in the adventurous Manaus. Although I have never been to Manaus and the Amazon Forest, I will have the pleasure of visiting these areas that are famous throughout the world with you by my side. Continued next page

15 Journey Coordinator Invitation Starting off in sunny tropical Fortaleza, We will visit stunning beaches including a tour to "Canoa Quebrada." In Canoa Quebrada you'll even be able to fly away on a fantastic hang-gliding tour - I've done it myself and the view is marvelous up there! We also going to visit the famous Morro Branco, with its unique cliffs of colored sand and astonishing landscapes. There in Morro Branco some local craftsmen produce beautiful customized crafts using sand they've collected from the colored cliffs. You have to see it to believe it! In addition to the sites of Morro Branco, we are going to visit local markets in Fortaleza to discover the Brazilian Northeast flavors, including Caipirinha and other typical local food. Continued next page

16 Journey Coordinator Invitation Manaus, we will take a boat to visit one of the most stunning places in Earth, the Amazon Forest! We'll visit the "Meeting of the Waters" where the Amazon and Negro Rivers join. The two rivers run side by side for almost four miles with the black water of the Rio Negro staying totally separate from the sandy colored water of the Rio Solimões, (as the upper Amazon is known in Brazil). The difference in speed, temperature, and water density creates a natural phenomenon known as the Pororoca. Our other activities there will include jungle walks with a focus on medicinal plants, wildlife viewing (hopefully to see tropical birds, sloths, monkeys, macaws), canoe rides, fishing for piranhas, and night boat trips for alligator spotting. Continued next page

17 Journey Coordinator Invitation Additionally, we are going to visit a Caboclo Dwelling tribe by motorized canoe with a guide to try to catch local fish, such as tucunaré, tambaqui and piranha. Afterwards, travelers will learn about the customs and way of life of these native inhabitants, descendants of the Indians. Another very thrilling experience is going to the alligator spotting tour. In a motorized canoe with a guide, we will search for an alligator species known as "caimans." Once they are paralyzed by the light of the flashlight, their eyes go red, enabling the guide to easily locate them. The guide will try to catch one of them with his bare hands and, depending on its size, bring it aboard the canoe for observation. Afterwards, the caiman is safely returned to the waters. Continued next page

18 Journey Coordinator Invitation Please contact me for further information on exploring these fantastic areas of Brazil - it will be an unforgettable experience! In friendship, Thiago Lorena Fábio thiago.fbio@hotmail.com The price of this Journey is $1500 USD and includes 12 nights (seven in Fortaleza, five in Amazon Village), all activities, most meals, FFI fees, and one domestic flight to transfer from Fortaleza to Manaus.

19 2018 AUS-NZ Outbound Journeys (add outbound journeys page 1 here) JULY Murray Bridge, Australia to Coatepec, Mexico and San Jose, Costa Rica Gisborne, NZ to Kauai, USA and San Diego County, USA Christchurch, NZ to Biarritz, France and Isle of Wight, UK Bundaberg, Australia to Tweed Valley, Australia Central Coast, Australia to Sunshine Coast, Australia AUGUST Auckland-North Shore to Mount Barker and Central Coast English Language Learning Journey: Saitama to Kapiti Coast and Wanganui, New Zealand Mount Gambier, Australia to Bundaberg, Australia Newcastle, Australia to Curitiba and Nova Lima, Brazil Albany, Australia to Itanhaem and Belem, Brazil Taupo, NZ to Perth and Adelaide, Australia Mount Barker to Casterton, Australia SEPTEMBER Tauranga Western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand to Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, Kansas and Las Vegas, USA Gold Coast, Australia to Toulouse, France and Lübeck, Germany Perth, Australia to Krems, Austria and Rheinhessen, Germany Hamilton and Waikato, New Zealand to Albany, Australia Murray Bridge, Australia to Southern Sydney, Australia OCTOBER Hobart, Australia to Shelby and Florida Suncoast, USA Marlborough, New Zealand to Vietnam Bundaberg, Australia to Baton Rouge, Central North Carolina and Central Virginia, USA Kempsey, Australia to Adelaide, Australia Adelaide, Australia to Sydney, Australia NOVEMBER Nelson, New Zealand to North Moreton and Blue Mountains, Australia Whangarei, New Zealand to Saitama and Ehime, Japan Sydney, Australia to Salisbury and Northern Districts, Australia

20 2019 AUS-NZ Outbound Journeys (add outbound journeys page 1 2 here) FEBRUARY Perth, Australia to Alajuela, Costa Rica and Mundo Maya de Tuxtla Gutierrez and Sarasota, USA MARCH Whangarei, New Zealand to Hobart and Newcastle, Australia Global - Explore Farming in New Zealand Adelaide, Australia to Aichi, Japan and Kauai, USA and Hamilton and Waikato, New Zealand Bundaberg, Australia to Thames Coromandel and Otago, New Zealand Casterton, Australia to Wanganui and Napier, New Zealand Salisbury and Northern Districts, Australia to Ehime, Japan Tweed Valley, Australia to Nashik Riverside, India and Nepal All Australia to Murray Bridge, Australia APRIL Melbourne, Australia to Auckland-North Shore and Taupo, New Zealand Albany, Australia to Kampala, Uganda Melbourne, Australia to Auckland-North Shore and Taupo, New Zealand Sydney, Australia to Trujillo, Peru and Mexico City, Mexico and Greater Orlando, USA Tamworth, Australia to Urla of Greater Izmir, Turkey and Tbilisi, Georgia MAY JUNE Auckland-North Shore, New Zealand to Korolev, Russia and Baku, Azerbaijan Napier, New Zealand to Norderstedt, Germany and Greater Izmir, Turkey New Plymouth, New Zealand to Cairns and North Moreton, Australia Kempsey, Australia to County Durham, United Kingdom and Hannover, Germany Sunshine Coast, Australia to Austin and New Mexico, USA New Plymouth, New Zealand to Cairns and North Moreton, Australia Brisbane, Australia to Western Colorado and Reno-Tahoe, USA Gold Coast, Australia to Saskatoon and Winnipeg, Canada and Chicago, USA Blue Mountains, Australia to Toulouse, France and Bristol, England Tauranga-Western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand to Tweed Valley and Central Coast, Australia

21 2018 AUS-NZ Inbound Journeys (add outbound inbound journeys journeyspage page1 1here) here) JULY Bundaberg, Australia to Tweed Valley, Australia Central Coast, Australia to Sunshine Coast, Australia AUGUST Pikes Peak Region, USA to Bundaberg and Tamworth, Australia Auckland-North Shore to Mount Barker and Central Coast Taupo, New Zealand to Perth and Adelaide, Australia English Language Learning Journey: Saitama to Kapiti Coast and Wanganui, New Zealand Mount Gambier, Australia to Bundaberg, Australia Mount Barker to Casterton, Australia SEPTEMBER Piracicaba, Brazil to Sunshine Coast and Kempsey, Australia The Villages, USA to Blue Mountains, Brisbane, Australia and Whangarei, New Zealand Murray Bridge, Australia to Southern Sydney, Australia OCTOBER Edmonton, Canada to Gisborne and Thames Coromandel, New Zealand Sibiu, Romania to South Taranaki, New Zealand Lethbridge, Canada to Newcastle, Tweed Valley and Mount Gambier, Australia Greater Des Moines and Whidbey Island, USA to Perth, Australia and Auckland-North Shore, New Zealand Kempsey, Australia to Adelaide, Australia Adelaide, Australia to Sydney, Australia NOVEMBER Szekesfehervar, Hungary to Melbourne, Australia and Christchurch, New Zealand Northeast Ohio to Horowhenua and Napier and Hamilton and Waikato Nelson, New Zealand to North Moreton and Blue Mountains, Australia Bangkok, Thailand to Central Coast, Australia Sapporo, Japan to Wellington and Southland, New Zealand Sydney, Australia to Salisbury and Northern Districts, Australia

22 South Pacific eflyer Submissions are due to the following contacts by the 20th of each month: Australian contact: John Stapleton New Zealand contact: Colin Ridge FFI Contact: Kimberly Fraser