the first Covid lockdown and came up with a new campaign – Waiheke a World Apart, Not a World Away.

The tourism body also has a number of new members and spans accommodation, vineyards, activities, transport and tours and more.

But the key challenge remains – how does the destination attract local visitors mid-week? ‘We’ve got so many offers mid-week, making it much more cost effective for visitors at that time.’

Gavin Oliver, managing director at EcoZip Adventures, echoes the need to spread the visitation. ‘At the moment the demand is all during the weekend. So we are chasing corporate work and we have deals out for the market.’

The island had a strong representation at the Discover Auckland Travel Expo last Saturday.