From fine dining to paragliding, Alex Mudie will make the most of many of Queenstown's memorable pursuits over the next five days.
He has Kaposi's sarcoma - a rare form of cancer - which has not responded well to chemotherapy.
"I am stable at the moment but the prognosis is not good," Mr Mudie said.
He has never been to the South Island before - but that is about to change after a conversation at the Auckland Mercy Hospice Opening Doors group programme.
"We were just chatting . . . I was asked what my wishes were, and I said I want to go to Queenstown," Mr Mudie said.
One of the programme's co-ordinators, Viv James, decided to make Mr Mudie's wish a reality.
She contacted Qantas and Destination Queenstown, who were keen to host Mr Mudie and give him a taste of the different experiences the resort has to offer.
Soon, businesses around the resort chipped in, making sure Mr Mudie will have an action-packed itinerary.
One of the things he is looking forward to is a morning at Coronet Peak.
Although his legs are too weak for skiing, he can't wait to get up there and "get amongst it".
Other adventures include sailing on the lake aboard the America's Cup yacht, a wild ride in a Shotover Jet, a four-wheel drive safari in historic Macetown and watching the Winter Festival fireworks over dinner at Prime restaurant.
Mr Mudie and a friend will also be provided accommodation at the Heritage Villas Queenstown and will spend an evening at the Skyline Gondola Restaurant.
When he was told about the trip six weeks ago, Mr Mudie was taken by surprise.
He had not expected his comment in a conversation would lead to the opportunity to make a wish come true.
"I was absolutely over the moon," he said.
He said it is his second wish to be granted.
The first was a helicopter ride - something he experienced recently.
"So I've had all my wishes granted."
With fresh snowfalls around Wakatipu over the past two days, Mr Mudie said he is prepared for the cold and can't wait to get into it.
He just wants to make the most of every day.
"That's pretty much what I live by. When I'm well enough to go out and about, I do," he said.
While he has been anticipating the trip for a while, Mr Mudie doesn't have many expectations.
"My only expectation is to have a good time and enjoy myself."
