Tess Brunton
Trans-Tasman bubble makes travel easier
Nervous excitement is the best way to describe the emotions of those making the most of the newly opened Trans-Tasman travel bubble. The first flight from Australia arrived a short time ago and eleven… Audio
Trans-Tasman bubble: What it's like on first flight out of Auckland
The trans-Tasman bubble is officially operational.
Reporter Tess Brunton is headed to Australia on one of the first quarantine-free flights.
The flight, from Auckland to Sydney, is set to take off… Audio
Trans-Tasman bubble finally open after months of discussions
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has resumed for the first time in more than a year.
Air New Zealand expects more than 5000 people will travel today across roughly 30 flights… Audio
RNZ's Tess Brunton onboard first flight to Australia
The trans Tasman bubble came into effect at midnight and that means from today people can travel quarantine free between New Zealand and Australia. The first flight to Australia is due to leave… Audio
Tougher penalties possible in freedom camping crackdown
Tougher penalties and fines are on the cards as part of a proposed crack down on irresponsible freedom camping.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has released plan to hike the costs for those who break… Audio
Trans-Tasman bubble: Boost to the regions not guaranteed
Some tourism operators will hold off ramping up their business until there is more certainty over whether trans-Tasman travel will bring a boon to the regions.
Australians accounted for 40 percent of… Audio
NZ warned about trade route risk in South China Sea
Military leaders say trade routes in the South China Sea face increased risk and New Zealand can't be complacent about it.
The two-day Asia Pacific Security Innovation Summit has attracted… Audio
Ski fields need extra staff to cater for Australian tourists
Some ski fields expect that they will need hundreds of additional staff to ensure they can cater for an influx of Australians. Earlier this week the Prime Minister confirmed she will announce the… Audio
Aus, NZ tourism operators cautiously optimistic about bubble
Tourism operators on both sides of the Tasman are cautiously optimistic about the return of travellers with hopes a bubble will open sooner rather than later.
The Prime Minister has promised to… Audio
Tourism Minister's vision promising, but Queenstown wants action
Queenstown businesses say the Tourism Minister's new vision is a promising game plan, but now they want to see action.
Stuart Nash outlined his vision for the future of the industry at a tourism… Audio
Shakeup coming for tourism industry, says Minister
The Tourism Minister is promising a shakeup of the industry, with a focus on making it more environmentally and financially sustainable. Prior to Covid-19, tourism had rapidly grown to become the… Audio
Tourism Minister under fire for not meeting local operators
The Tourism Minister has copped some flak from operators who are frustrated they couldn't meet with him during his trip south.
Stuart Nash has been visiting businesses in Invercargill today before… Audio
Tourism Minister pressed on trans-Tasman travel bubble
The Minister of Tourism is in Invercargill where he is on a tour of tourism businesses in Southland today, before he heads to Queenstown tomorrow.
Stuart Nash has been under pressure from tourist… Audio
Tourism businesses hopeful for game plan from Minister
Tourism businesses in the lower South Island are hopeful Stuart Nash will show up in town with a game plan when he visits this week.
The Toursim Minister begins his tour, which includes stops in the… Audio
Struggling Queenstown businesses face vitriol
Queenstown has gone from being described as tourism's crown jewel to a vilified community facing vitriol - and told it's getting what it deserved.
But businesses say it's not just the iconic… Audio
Wineries worried about staff for pruning
Some wineries are worried they may not have enough staff when pruning begins.
Their focus so far has been scraping together enough workers for the harvest which is about to start.
Many companies… Audio
Otago told to expect more wild weather in climate change report
Warmer, wetter, windier and wilder - that's what Otago residents are being told to expect as part of a milestone report on climate change.
The Otago Climate Change Risk Assessment maps out the… Audio
Glacier communities told government can't save every business
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier communities have been given the blunt message the government can't save every business that's struggling during the pandemic.
A week ago, the two communities sent Tourism… Audio
Tourism business owner on what help she needs
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier communities have been given the blunt message the government can't save every business that's struggling during the pandemic.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash visited the… Audio
Disappointment after Tourism Minister's visit to Fox, Franz Josef
All talk and no support was the conclusion from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier locals after a meeting with the Tourism Minister today.
Stuart Nash and West Coast Tasman MP Damien O'Connor fronted… Audio