Tess Brunton
Covid-19: Tourism operators face another year of uncertainty
With a vaccine timeline of about a year, regional tourist operators are grappling with another year of uncertainty with some questioning whether their business will survive.
Tourism reporter Tess… Audio
Central Otago orchardists grieve 'write-off' season
Some Central Otago orchards are describing this season's crop as a 'write-off' while others struggle to find enough workers.
It's been a tough season for the growers with Covid-19 border restrictions… Audio
Trampers bemoan the lack of QR codes at DOC huts, loos
Slip, slop, slap and scan - that was the message given to New Zealanders as they entered a summer without international tourists.
But with many New Zealanders hitting the trails and exploring the… Audio
Tourism prepares for summer without international tourists
Tourism operators are preparing for their first summer without international visitors in decades as borders remain closed.
While New Zealanders have been invaluable for keeping the industry float… Audio
Whakaari eruption: Tourism operators fear possible rule changes
Tourism operators are worried they'll being bogged down by bureaucracy following a review of adventure activities near natural hazards.
Today the first findings were revealed after a review was first… Audio
First review into adventure tourism sector released
A tourism leader says WorkSafe has taken its eye off the ball by not providing enough oversight of the adventure activities sector.
Today the first review findings in the wake of the Whakaari… Audio
Otago polytech postpones graduations after security concerns
The Otago Polytechnic has postponed tomorrow's graduation ceremonies after a threat against University of Otago ceremonies.
Yesterday the university postponed theirs because of the online threat.
… Audio
Fruit picking getting unemployed back into work, study
A Christchurch man says he'd probably be on a benefit if he hadn't secured fruit picking work in Central Otago over summer. Luke Condon, who is planning to go to university in Christchurch next year… Audio
Push for workers not over - central Otago orchardists
Central Otago orchard owners say the push for workers isn't over as they prepare for harvest season.
Today government ministers visited an apple orchard near Alexandra to speak with workers and… Audio
Dozens of Central Otago residents' power cut for six hours without notice
A Central Otago community was left scrambling when their power was cut for six hours yesterday without notice.
The lines company Aurora Energy which is upgrading its network took the action after… Audio
Otago residents vent fury at rising electricty prices
Central Otago residents have vented their fury at the rising electricity prices they'll have to pay to repair aging and rotting power poles.
Aurora Energy's plan to fix years of underspending means… Audio
Tourism Minister tells sector there's more challenges ahead
The new Tourism Minister has announced New Zealanders will no longer subsidise international visitors to the extent it has in the past.
Stuart Nash unveiled his goals at the Tourism Summit Aotearoa… Audio
Tourism industry meets to discuss rebuild
The tourism industry is facing a multi-billion dollar loss of revenue after borders closed and international travel screeched to a halt.
Earlier this year, New Zealand experienced its first day of no… Audio
Lake Oahu residents return to homes
Residents at Lake Ohau have been allowed to begin returning to their homes, after a fire swept through the village at the begining of October. The fire damaged or destroyed 50 properties in the… Audio
'Phenomenal' restoration of Milford Track for summer hiking
Now to remote Fiordland where crews have been working hard to restore the Milford Track against a looming deadline.
The Great Walk was badly damaged when a metre of rain fell in less than three days… Video, Audio
Lake Ōhau residents unsure about when they can go home permanently
Lake Ōhau residents remain in the dark about when they will be able to permanently return to their properties in the wake of the fire.
Ten days ago, the blaze tore through the village, destroying or… Audio
Finding animals alive 'like winning the lotto'
A Lake Ōhau couple figured their beloved pets were dead after they had to leave them behind and flee the fire - so were shocked to find the animals alive after returning to the village. Video, Audio
Firefighters gain advantage in Lake Ohau fire
Strong winds that have been hampering firefighting efforts at Lake Ohau have died down, allowing the on-site crew to gain further control of the situation.
The fire has caused widespread devastation… Audio
Things looking up at Lake Ōhau fire
Fire and Emergency says things are looking up as it continues to battle the fire at Lake Ōhau, which now has a perimeter of 43 kilometres.
Strong winds that were hampering efforts to contain the… Audio
First responders describe panic of facing Ōhau fire
The people that first raised the alarm - and the firefighters that raced to their rescue - have opened up about how the Lake Ōhau fire took hold.
About 40 houses in the small community were destroyed… Video, Audio
