Tess Brunton
Tourisim operators hope Matariki weekend boost will continue
As Aotearoa prepares to mark its first Matariki long weekend, tourism operators are hoping it's a sign of more prosperity to come.
This year, a new multi-day festival is being launched in the… Audio
Southern Medicinal aims to cut cost of medical cannabis
A Southland cannabis producer hopes to ease patient's pain and ensure they're less out of pocket with prescription pot. Patients say they're struggling to afford legal medicinal cannabis with some… Video, Audio
Attracting overseas visitors a challenge for tourism industry
The tourism industry is preparing for a harder sell to attract overseas visitors. More than 450 tourism operators confronted the changes affecting their industry during the online TRENZ Hui on… Audio
Queenstown gears up to welcome first international flight
Queenstown is ready to roll out the welcome mat after 330 days without a scheduled international flight The QANTAS flight from Sydney this afternoon marks the return of direct Trans-Tasman travel to… Audio
Plans to keep food scraps from landfill welcomed
Food waste advocates are welcoming plans to kick food scraps to the kerb and save them from landfill.
The government wants roll out kerbside collection of food waste for most urban households by… Audio
Vulnerable people concerned at dangers of looser mask rules
Immunocompromised people say looser mask exemption criteria means they may need to further restrict their activities in order to stay safe.
Under the new rules, exemptions can be handed out for those… Audio
Dunedin's George St facelift gets underway
The traffic cones are out and barriers are up as Dunedin's Retail Quarter undergoes a face lift.
The George Street revamp was prompted by the need to replace old water, wastewater and stormwater… Video, Audio
Police investigating four teen deaths in Invercargill crash
Police are continuing to investigate the deaths of four teenagers in Invercargill after a deadly Anzac weekend on our roads. They were among the 11 who were killed in crashes. It's put the spotlight… Audio
No high hopes for sudden rush of Aussie tourist money in Queenstown
Queenstown tourism businesses aren't expecting Australians will return en masse until they hear the ski slopes calling this winter.
Australians are now allowed back in without isolating with the… Audio
Firefighters warn peat could burn underground for months at Awarua
Southland firefighters are warning the fire burning in peat under an internationally significant wetland could keep smouldering for weeks if not months.
The fire at Awarua now covers more than 1300… Audio
Kaikōura businesses optimistic about future
Kaikōura businesses remain optimistic about the future despite the return of tourists predicted to be still months away.
The borders start reopening from next week.
But for the seaside town renowned… Audio
Preparations amp up for tourists to return to Fiordland
The tourists are coming back, but will one of the country's most iconic destinations - Fiordland - be ready for them?
Tourism reporter Tess Brunton found out. Audio
Govt tourism boost criticised for lack of transparency
A government tourism fund that handed out hundred of millions dollars is being criticised for a lack of transparency and clarity.
An Auditor General's report released today confirms many of the… Audio
Bookings steady in Mackenzie region as borders reopening
The Mackenzie District, with its snow-capped Aoraki, turquoise lakes and star-filled night skies, has been a favourite with international visitors.
And when the borders slammed shut, it suffered… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland businesses call voucher scheme a lifeline
Auckland businesses are calling it a lifeline - a voucher scheme that's got locals exploring their own back yard.
The government funded $9 million programme kicked off late last year offering… Audio
Jacinda Ardern in Queenstown to lure Australians back to NZ
The Prime Minister has gone on a marketing blitz to reel Australians to our shores.
Tourism operators are racing to ramp up in time - with less than four weeks to go before those crossing the Tasman… Audio
Glaciers area looks forward to border reopening
South Westland businesses say the border reopening dates mean they can start edging out of survival mode after two years of hanging on by their fingernails.
Close to 400 jobs were lost in the area… Audio
Financial uncertainty not stopping some West Coasters from opening businesses
Financial uncertainty hasn't stopped some West Coasters who have taken the plunge and set up shop in the midst of the pandemic.
There was nearly a 70 per cent drop in spending by visitors to Franz… Audio
Tourism operators hoping for international travellers by Easter
Tourism operators are hopeful the border could be open in time for Aussies to eat our hot cross buns this Easter.
The Prime Minister is due to announce plans to fast-track the reopening of the border… Audio
Tourism businesses say funding helped but not a silver bullet
Tourism businesses in the five regions hit hardest by the pandemic say targeted government funding has been a boon but not a silver bullet.
Last year, Minister Stuart Nash unveiled a $200 million… Audio