Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor is under fire for saying Covid-19 has taught the tourism industry not to be so cocky after losing its spot as the top export earner to dairy.
He made the comments late last week at Central Districts Field Day.
His West Coast -Tasman electorate includes Franz Josef and Fox Glacier - some of the hardest hit, tourism-reliant communities in the country.
Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.
