Tess Brunton

Takeaway is back on the menu in the South Island.

For many reluctant cooks, Level 3 brings a much-wanted break from baking, braising and boiling as well as a boost to businesses.

Tess Brunton has… Audio

Takeaway food is back on the cards from Wednesday and in the Covid-19 free South Island businesses are already busy preparing to reopen their doors.

While they're relieved to have some customers… Audio

Some Canterbury health staff are being told they can't work from home. Their rationale - there are no Covid-19 cases in the South Island and vaccination is available. And a union says other DHBs are… Audio

A South Island festival organiser says they're scrambling to work out how to enforce mandatory scanning, if they're able to go ahead.

Tess Brunton has more. Audio

Meanwhile travellers stranded in Queenstown have been given a temporary reprieve before the travel window is poised to slam shut.

Hundreds of people are in town trying to get back, but there have… Audio

The window for people needing to get home is rapidly closing -- there're less than 12 hours left. Air New Zealand is asking for more time, with many people still stranded. RNZ's Tess Brunton speaks to… Audio

South Island businesses are standing behind the lockdown, saying it's a gutting but necessary decision.

Tess Brunton reports. Audio

Tourism operators are warning the rules governing national parks are so outdated that when a crisis like Covid-19 strikes and they need to adapt, they're hamstrung.

A different set of rules - or… Audio

Queenstown's council has been left scratching its head over how its lake has been stained neon green.

The neon green water has flowed down a creek through town, snaking its way through central… Video, Audio

The tourism industry is welcoming a new roadmap to reopen Aotearoa's borders next year while preparing for more tough times ahead.

Today, the Prime Minister announced the immediate focus is to ramp… Video, Audio

A stopper's been placed on drunken teenage parties at a popular South Island camp ground - with a booze ban put in place.

Loch Laird, near Otematata, is a popular haunt for high school-aged students… Audio

The Southern District Health Board is hopeful its staffing woes will be resolved by the middle of next year. A report tabled at today's board meeting found nurse shortages are placing patients at risk… Audio

Patients are at risk of harm as a shortage of nurses on Southern District Health Board wards forces some to ration their care.

The problem was unearthed as part of a review into its safe-staffing… Audio

Some Fiordland businesses are calling a new vision for Piopiotahi Milford Sound 'a game changer'.

The Milford Opportunities masterplan suggests charging foreigners an access fee, banning cruise ships… Audio

Fiordland locals hope a masterplan being unveiled for their region today doesn't just become all talk and no action.

The Milford Opportunities Project was started back in 2017 to provide a future… Audio

Hayden Wilde was not the only NZ athlete in the mix for a medal today. Seventeen-year-old Erika Fairweather from Dunedin was racing for gold in the 400 metres freestyle, after smashing the NZ record… Video, Audio

A Queenstown migrant worker says the extension of essential skills visa is the best birthday present.

From Monday, people on essential skill visas who make less than $27 an hour will be able to stay… Video, Audio

The winter school holidays are proving to be a much-needed shot in the arm for tourism.

Air New Zealand is calling these holidays their busiest July break ever with well over half a million… Audio

For some people with disabilities, getting a vaccine can be a confronting process especially if they're hyper sensitive to light, noise and crowds.

That's where a one-day community clinic in Dunedin… Audio

Queenstown is bringing together some of the brightest business minds to work out ways to make the town more than just a tourist destination.

Covid-19 dealt a devastating below to the district as one… Audio