Lewis Hamilton enjoying himself in Queenstown
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton has touched down in Queenstown.
The 31-year-old has shared several videos overlooking Queenstown on the social networking app Snapchat.
In one video he says he's "having a great time".
In another he says, "you should see how beautiful this is".
Hamilton flew to Queenstown and although he is worth millions, he has no issues flying cattle class.
The 31-year-old racing driver continues to show off more of his Kiwi travels via the social networking site: Snapchat.
In his snaps and videos, he tells fans he is about to fly economy because it save money. The video is shot inside the Auckland Airport's domestic terminal.
"Man, I am loving these commercial flights. We're flying in economy, right now, yeah!
That's how we do! Save so much money - I love it."
Another video shows him and two friends seated inside the aircraft. The captain can be heard in the background telling passengers the flight's route to Queenstown.
Hamilton quips: "So we don't know where we're going. We think we're going to one place, but we might be going to China 'cos there are a lot of Chinese people on this flight."
Earlier today Hamilton was being driven around in one of the world's greenest cars.
The racing driver was filmed leaving his hotel and getting into a Toyota Prius this morning, after he blasted SkyCity casino on Twitter for treating him "like dirt".
After the late night visit to the casino which ended on a sour note, Hamilton left his hotel room just before 11.30am stepping into a late model hybrid dual-fuel car.
The black Prius, that left the central city hotel heading towards Victoria St East, was followed closely by a champagne-coloured VW convertible.
Hamilton, who was dressed casually in a blue denim jacket and a cap with the word "prosperity" embroidered above the rim, was accompanied by another man who sat alongside him in the back seat.
He didn't stay long in the Prius. He later posted a video to Snap Chat showing him riding a Harley-Davidson motorbike around Auckland.
In the Snapchat story he said: "This is my bike for the day ..."
Last night Hamilton told his three million followers: "Don't ever go to the sky city casino in Auckland, they treated me like dirt. Can't believe how rude they were. Worst casino experience ever!"
It is not clear exactly what happened to the star, but the tweet was deleted shortly afterwards.
SkyCity management confirmed they had spoken with Hamilton but were keeping mum about what happened at the casino to upset the Formula One champ.
Group communications manager Kelly Armitage said she would not elaborate on the British star's treatment.
This included what prompted the outburst on social media that described being treated "like dirt" and branding it the "worst casino experience ever".
"We have touched base with him to discuss his experience," she said.
"As with any customer we don't talk about the specifics of their stay with us."
Mercedes-Benz yesterday confirmed Hamilton was in New Zealand relaxing in a private capacity before this weekend's Australian GP.
There were no formal outings planned, nor would he be borrowing any vehicles to use during his stay from them.
Hamilton, 31, races for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team.
In his first season in Formula One, he set numerous records while finishing second in the 2007 Formula One World Championships.
He also won the championships in 2014 and 2015, making him the first British driver to win two consecutive titles.
He is the only driver in the history of the sport to have won at least one race in each season he has competed to date.
In another Snapchat video Hamilton said: "You wanna hear something funny ... Every time I post something people upset about it they contact Mercedes, like the newspapers been calling Mercedes. But do I look like I'm bothered ... ah-uh ... I'm having a great time. Hope you are too."