24 March 2009

Twitch-hikerÃ¢â¬â¢s guide to New Zealand

AUCKLAND - New Zealand is at the centre of a tweet-fest on social networking website Twitter, thanks to the exploits of the worldÃ¢â¬â¢s first Twitch-hiker.

British journalist Paul Smith had made his way to New Zealand relying solely on the goodwill of Twitter users to get him there, put a roof over his head and show him around the country.

Since leaving the UK on March 1 he has travelled via Amsterdam, Paris, Germany and the US, and - thanks to Air New Zealand Ã¢â¬' arrived in Auckland yesterday.

In the US. Smith appeared on the ABC Network's Good Morning America and has more than 8,500 Ã¢â¬ËœfollowersÃ¢â¬â¢ on Twitter.

The concept of Twitter is allowing people to stay connected by answers to the question "What are you doing right now?"

Tourism New Zealand CEO George Hickton says the Twitch-hikerÃ¢â¬â¢s visit to New Zealand presents an opportunity to gain positive media coverage about New Zealand "and our spirit of manaakitanga (or hospitality)".

"The longer we can keep Mr Smith in New Zealand and the more we can get him to experience while he is here, the better.

"The Twitch-hiker is only accepting offers of transport and accommodation that are made to him via Twitter from other Twitter-users, so I encourage operators here in New Zealand to get online and invite him to experience their products and services."