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Air New Zealand Unveils Ambitious Expansion Plans for Koru Lounge

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Air New Zealand is set to significantly expand the Koru Lounge located at Auckland Airport, nearly doubling its size and introducing an exclusive area for premium guests. This transformation aims to enhance the overall experience for travelers, accommodating increasing passenger numbers and evolving customer expectations.

The expansion is part of a broader strategy to improve facilities and services across the airline’s network. According to Air New Zealand, the redesigned Koru Lounge will feature modern amenities and a more spacious layout, ensuring a comfortable environment for all visitors. The new area will cater specifically to elite members and frequent flyers, offering additional privacy and premium services.

Expansion Details and Timeline

The Koru Lounge is expected to grow from its current size of approximately 1,200 square meters to around 2,200 square meters. This substantial increase will allow for more seating, relaxation zones, and dining options, creating a more inviting atmosphere for guests. The renovation is scheduled to begin in early 2024, with a planned completion date later that year.

Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer Officer, Leanne Geraghty, emphasized the airline’s commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction. “We understand that our lounges play a crucial role in the travel experience, and this expansion reflects our dedication to providing exceptional service and comfort,” she stated.

The new design will also incorporate sustainable practices, aligning with the airline’s environmental goals. Features such as energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly materials will be central to the lounge’s redesign, demonstrating Air New Zealand’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Enhancing the Passenger Experience

In addition to the physical expansion, the new Koru Lounge will introduce upgraded technology and amenities. Guests can look forward to improved connectivity options, interactive displays, and a wider selection of food and beverage offerings. The lounge will continue to provide a tranquil retreat away from the bustling airport environment, catering to both leisure and business travelers.

With this overhaul, Air New Zealand aims to solidify its position as a leader in customer service within the aviation industry. The airline’s investment in the Koru Lounge underlines its recognition of the importance of pre-flight experiences in enhancing overall travel satisfaction.

As traveler numbers continue to rise, this expansion not only meets current demands but also prepares for future growth. Air New Zealand’s initiative reflects a broader trend in the airline industry, where premium lounges are increasingly seen as essential components of customer service.

This ambitious project is expected to draw positive feedback from frequent travelers and casual airport visitors alike, setting a new standard for lounge experiences in the region. As the renovation progresses, further details regarding specific features and offerings will be announced, promising an exciting new chapter for the Koru Lounge and its patrons.

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Cruise Ship Visits to Kaikōura Expected to Plummet This Summer

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The number of cruise ship visits to Kaikōura this summer is set to significantly decline, with only five vessels expected to dock between December and February. This figure is a stark drop from the eleven ships that visited during the previous summer and down from sixteen in the 2023/24 season.

Destination Kaikōura manager Lisa Bond attributes this decline to various factors, including global uncertainty and government changes. She stated, “There’s lots of reasons… But everything has a cycle. This year we are down to five, but in two years we might be back to thirteen.” Cruise ship companies typically plan their schedules 18 months to two years in advance, making current global conditions a significant concern for future bookings.

Factors Impacting Cruise Ship Visits

The reduced number of cruise ships heading to Kaikōura is compounded by rising costs. According to Lynette Buurman, deputy chairperson of Destination Kaikōura, the increased berthage fees imposed by Environment Canterbury have not helped the situation. Kaikōura’s small wharves require cruise ships to anchor offshore and transport tourists by tender boats, incurring additional costs for the operation and maintenance of navigation aids and safety management systems.

Despite these challenges, other tourist destinations are also witnessing a decline in cruise ship bookings. The Bay of Islands has reported a drop in cruise bookings for the 2025/26 season, falling from a peak of 92 to 47. A cruise representative noted that rising costs were a contributing factor to this downward trend.

Domestic Tourism Remains Strong

While cruise ship visits are dwindling, Kaikōura is experiencing a surge in domestic tourism. Bond highlighted a busy summer and autumn, with significant visitor numbers during events such as King’s Birthday weekend, Matariki weekend, and the July school holidays. In April, domestic spending increased by 15% compared to the previous year, and accommodation bookings rose by 7%.

May continued this positive trend, with spending up 13% and guest nights increasing by 14% compared to May 2024. The majority of domestic visitors are from Canterbury, although there has been a noticeable uptick in visitors from Auckland and Wellington as well. Additionally, international visitors have also contributed to the local economy, with an increase in spending, indicating either a higher average expenditure or more day visits.

Looking ahead, Kaikōura is poised for a busy few months with upcoming events such as the Kaikōura Whale Run and the Kaikōura Hop in September, followed by the school holidays, the Mountains to Sea Marathon, and Labour Weekend in October. The Kaikōura Trotting Cup in November will further enhance the region’s appeal as summer approaches.

Destination Kaikōura operates as a partnership between the Kaikōura District Council and local tourism operators, focusing on promoting the region and supporting its economic growth through diverse tourism offerings.

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IT Leaders Race to Meet Windows 10 Support Deadline

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As the deadline for Microsoft’s regular support for Windows 10 approaches, IT leaders are facing critical decisions. With less than three months until October 14, 2023, companies must choose between migrating to Windows 11, paying for extended security updates, or risking security vulnerabilities. The urgency is palpable, as organizations navigate the complexities of hardware requirements and application compatibility.

At BSH Home Appliances, a European home appliance manufacturer, the situation is particularly pressing. The company still has 6,000 Windows 10 computers that have not yet transitioned to Windows 11. According to Serhiy Mamus, global head of workplace services, this is all part of a strategic plan. “We have 43,000 laptops and desktops, and all but 2,500 have been migrated,” he states. By the October deadline, all but 500 of the remaining office PCs will be upgraded or replaced. The others will remain on Windows 10, utilizing Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program due to hardware limitations and mission-critical applications.

Similar challenges are faced by Jeff Martinson, 2nd Vice President of infrastructure and operations at Ameritas. His team began migrating 3,100 Windows 10 instances back in 2023, with the project currently at 93% completion. “Supportability and security were key factors,” he notes, highlighting that older hardware lacking the necessary processing power and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 has been a significant obstacle.

The transition to Windows 11 is creating a last-minute scramble for many IT departments. Stefan Kinnestrand, Vice President of Product Marketing at Microsoft, points out that many organizations are balancing various IT initiatives while waiting for the right moment in their device lifecycle. This caution has resulted in slower adoption of Windows 11, which was launched nearly four years ago. Paddy Harrington, a senior analyst at Forrester, emphasizes that there has been no compelling business reason for many to upgrade, especially compared to the previous transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Delays in migration can be attributed to the perceived lack of return on investment associated with upgrading. David Mayer, CEO of IT services firm Endpoint Technology Partners, explains that the performance and security improvements do not justify the costs of new hardware and the disruption of migration. Many organizations are also hesitant to divert critical resources from other projects with potentially greater business benefits.

Current adoption rates reflect a mixed landscape. Kinnestrand indicates that there is “strong momentum” with Windows 11, while Forrester’s findings suggest that one-third of organizations are completed, another third are rushing to meet the deadline, and the final third are waiting for compatible hardware. For Endpoint Technology Partners, the split is closer to 50/50, with half of their clients finished and the other half at various stages.

Windows 11 does offer enticing features for IT administrators. Enhanced configuration controls, improved app control functions, and a more efficient resource management system are among the advantages highlighted by industry analysts. However, the migration is not without challenges. Many organizations are discovering that machines meeting Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 may not perform optimally. Mayer points out that running Windows 11 on machines with only 8GB of RAM can lead to a subpar user experience.

Organizations must carefully evaluate their hardware before proceeding with migration. As Lucas Ebron, a solutions advisor at Portland Internetworks, recommends, organizations should aim for at least 16GB of RAM, an Intel i7 or higher CPU, and a solid-state drive (SSD) for optimal performance. However, budget constraints and supply chain issues could hinder the ability of some clients to complete necessary upgrades before the deadline.

For those machines that remain on Windows 10 beyond the support deadline, the cost of extended security updates is a critical consideration. At $61 per machine initially, this fee escalates to $122 in 2026 and $244 in 2027. Harrington notes that while modern security tools can mitigate some risks, most organizations will prefer to invest in extended support to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

As organizations navigate these challenges, the importance of application compatibility cannot be overlooked. While Microsoft claims that 99.7% of Windows applications are compatible with Windows 11, many legacy or custom applications are not. Ebron highlights the difficulty some organizations experience with noncompliant applications, which often require upgrades or new licensing. This situation can lead to a “massive long tail of technical debt” that will take years to resolve.

Despite these hurdles, some organizations like BSH have found success in their migration efforts. Mamus emphasizes the importance of thorough testing to avoid compatibility issues. His team started the migration process with a “test factory” that assessed all system images for compatibility with Windows 11, discovering only a few applications that required adjustments.

Looking ahead, organizations have several options for managing their migration strategies. Machines that do not require internet connectivity may be able to forgo extended support if they remain offline. Additionally, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions can allow organizations to run noncompliant applications without upgrading hardware.

Ultimately, the transition to Windows 11 can be successful with the right planning and preparation. As Kinnestrand suggests, organizations that have proactively addressed potential issues report smooth migrations. Mamus reflects on his experience, stating, “This was one of the easiest migrations I’ve seen.”

With the deadline fast approaching, many IT leaders are now racing against the clock to ensure their organizations are ready for the next phase of Windows support. As October 14, 2023 draws near, it is clear that early planning and strategic decision-making will be essential for a seamless transition to Windows 11.

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Woman Receives Unordered Toy from Hong Kong, Sparks Brushing Scam Concerns

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A woman in the United Kingdom recently received an unexpected package containing a soft toy addressed to her, raising suspicions of a potential brushing scam. The package, which arrived in early October 2023, was sent from Hong Kong, but the woman had not placed any order for the item.

Brushing scams typically occur when sellers send unsolicited products to individuals to create fake reviews or boost their sales rankings online. In this case, the woman was puzzled by the arrival of the toy, as she had not ordered anything from an international retailer. Such scams have become increasingly common, with consumers across various countries reporting similar experiences.

The woman shared her experience on social media, highlighting the strange nature of the delivery. She noted that the package was not only unexpected but also contained no accompanying documentation to explain its origin. Many online shoppers have found themselves in similar situations, leading to growing concerns about the legitimacy of online transactions.

According to consumer protection experts, it is essential for individuals to be aware of these types of schemes. Martin Lewis, a well-known consumer rights advocate, stated that these scams exploit the trust consumers place in online shopping. He advises anyone who receives unordered items to report them to the relevant authorities and consider changing their account passwords to enhance security.

The rising incidence of brushing scams has prompted various online marketplaces to take action. Companies are implementing stricter verification processes for sellers and enhancing their monitoring of transactions to protect consumers. However, experts emphasize that consumers must remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

In light of this incident, consumers are encouraged to regularly review their online shopping habits and ensure they only purchase from reputable sources. Awareness and education about these scams can help mitigate the risks associated with online shopping.

The woman’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for online shoppers worldwide. With the rise of e-commerce, consumers must remain informed about potential scams and take proactive steps to protect themselves from fraudulent activities.

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Dental Floss: A Revolutionary Method for Vaccine Delivery?

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Research published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering suggests that dental floss could play a pivotal role in the future of vaccine delivery. A team of scientists conducted an experiment where dental floss, coated with vaccine components like proteins or inactive viruses, was used to immunize mice against the flu. The initial findings indicate that this method may offer a novel approach to providing immunity without the need for needles.

The experiment involved carefully maneuvering the floss between the gums of mice, which are rich in absorbent tissue and immune cells. This unique location allows for a more effective response to viral threats. To carry out the procedure, researchers employed a keyring to open the mouths of the mice while another team member inserted the floss. This process took place every two weeks over a month.

After the final flossing, the vaccinated mice were exposed to a lethal strain of the flu virus. Remarkably, every mouse that received the vaccine via dental floss survived the exposure, while those that did not receive the treatment did not survive. Further analysis revealed that the vaccinated mice developed flu antibodies not only in their saliva but also in their faeces and bone marrow, indicating a strong and long-lasting immune response.

Potential Human Applications

To explore the feasibility of this method in humans, researchers conducted a small trial involving 27 healthy volunteers. Participants used dental floss picks dipped in harmless food dye, which successfully reached the gum tissue approximately 60 percent of the time. This promising result suggests that flossing could be a viable method for delivering vaccines with further refinement.

This floss-based delivery system presents several significant advantages. It is needle-free, which is beneficial for individuals who experience anxiety related to injections. Additionally, unlike many traditional vaccines that require cold storage, these vaccines could remain stable at room temperature, facilitating easier distribution. The concept of receiving vaccines through the mail, allowing individuals to “floss their way to immunity,” could revolutionize how vaccines are administered, particularly during outbreaks when rapid distribution is critical.

While these findings are encouraging, it is important to note that more research is necessary before this innovative method can replace traditional vaccination techniques. Nonetheless, the study opens up exciting possibilities for developing painless, practical, and more accessible vaccines in the future.

Dr. Michelle Dickinson, a nanotechnologist involved in the research, has highlighted the groundbreaking nature of these findings. As scientists continue to explore the potential of dental floss as a delivery system, the future of vaccination may very well be on the cusp of a significant transformation.

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