World's top spies meet in Queenstown

  • 21/04/2017

Rumours continue to swirl about who Queenstown's VIP guests could be, after a private jet landed at Queenstown Airport.

It is believed officials from the world's largest spy network, including heads of the heads of the FBI and CIA are heading for a Government-hosted conference in Arrowtown.

Leaders from the Five Eyes, made up of intelligence officials from the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are expected to be attending.

Suggestions the very important visitors could include former US President Barack Obama have been shot down by the Prime Minister.

But Mr English's office confirmed there would be more than one important visitor.

US Vice President Mike Pence is currently on a tour around Asia and Australia, but New Zealand is not on his agenda.

Central Otago has been a popular spot for many prominent people. Justin Bieber spent time in Arrowtown during his visit to New Zealand after sold-out concerts in March.

Five things a VIP visiting Central Otago can do during their stay:

Here are five things an important visitor to Arrowtown can do to fill in time during their exclusive stay:

  1. Museum: The little old museum on the main "street" in Arrowtown is rich with history where you can even dress up as 1900s folk. It costs $10 for an adult - but surely they'd let a VVIP sneak in for free?
  2. Gold mining: For $3 you can grab a pan and have a crack at digging up some gold from the nearby Arrow River like the early settlers used to back in the day.
  3. Chinese settlement: You can take a walk back in time and visit the historic Arrowtown Chinese settlement, which is a partially restored 1800s village of Chinese gold miners' huts, much different to the swanky rooms at the White House.
  4. Make a racquet: Although golf is a popular VVIP sport, one could grab a racquet and take on some locals at the campground tennis court. 
  5. The Kiwi pie: The Arrowtown bakery boasts a "world famous" venison gourmet pie.

Newshub.