A New Zeal for Old Galaxies Fourth Announcement Rotorua, New Zealand, 25-30th March 2007 http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/nz2007 Dear conference participant, The conference is only a few months away now... Getting to Rotorua ------------------ I expect most people to fly into Auckland. The best option is to then fly with Air New Zealand down to Rotorua. The flight is ~45mins, costs ~$NZ100 (if not already part of your international ticket). There are ~3 flights/day to Rotorua. Otherwise you can rent a car for ~ $NZ80 and drive the ~3.5hrs. Remember to drive on the left side ! If you want to take a bus then you probably need to go into Auckland central with the Airbus (~1hr) and then catch an Intercity Bus (www.intercitycoach.co.nz) to Rotorua (~4hrs) at a total cost of ~$NZ40. Please ask at the Airport information desk for details. The Conference Location ----------------------- The conference is held at the Rotorua Conference Centre, corner of Fenton and Arawa Streets opposite the Tourist Office. The opening Reception starts at the RCC at 6pm Sunday 25th March - see you then! Hotel ----- Booking a hotel is up to you! See our web page for some suggestions. Remember that 12.5% GST tax is usually extra. Presentations ------------- All speakers should be prepared to download their powerpoint or keynote talk to the conference Mac laptop (eg via memory stick or CDROM). Please check your talk on a Mac before the conference. There will be *no* overhead projector. Invited speakers get 30mins + 10mins question time, regular speakers get 20mins + 10mins questions. Posters should be put up during the Sunday Reception time (6-9pm 25th March). Poster boards can take A0 (0.8 x 2.1m) size. Schedule -------- The conference schedule is on the web page. Briefly: 25th March 6-9pm Reception and Registration (payment receipts will be issued). 26th March 9-6pm Talks 27th March 9-5:30pm Talks, 7pm NZ Wine Tasting (for those that signed up) 28th March 9-1pm Talks, Free Afternoon (nothing organised) 29th March 9-6pm Talks, Conference Dinner for all 30th March 9-6pm Talks, finish. Local Info ---------- See our web page for details and also http://www.tourism.net.nz/ You can expect mostly sunny days of 20-27C (68-78F) with cool nights and some minor rain showers. Thanks to the ozone hole, it is easy to get sunburnt - so consider bringing a hat. Electrical plugs in New Zealand are unlike any in the world (except Australia). You can probably buy a convertor before you leave, if not they are available at Auckland airport and in Rotorua. Electricity is 230 volts and 50 Hertz. You can get NZ dollars at the airport or from ATM machines. Internet Access --------------- There will be *no* wireless internet access at the conference, but there are plenty of Internet Cafes in Rotorua. And your hotel probably has an internet connection. Typical fees are $NZ6/hr. For those of you planning to submit telescope proposals on March 31st or April 1st you may like to do this before you leave for NZ! I'm not planning any more announcements...so see you in Rotorua. Have a good flight. Duncan Forbes On behalf of the LOC/SOC