Tourism
36 jobs lost as Chateau Tongariro closes
Last week First Up revealed that the Grant Chateau Tongariro would no longer take new bookings. Yesterday the company which runs the iconic building announced it wouldn't be renewing its lease, after… Audio
Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins
Koroi canvasses a range of Pacific issues, with the aftermath of the Fiji election, a big year ahead for the lucrative Pacific tuna industry, why Cook Islands tourism is in a bit of a slump and the… Audio
Future of Grand Chateau Tongariro Hotel shrouded in mystery
The future of the Grand Chateau Tongariro is in limbo with the hotel not taking any new bookings for 2023 and 2024. Audio
Future of Chateau Tongariro shrouded in mystery
The future of the Grand Chateau Tongariro is in limbo with the hotel not taking any new bookings for 2023 and 2024. The hotel itself remains open, but virtually empty, as mystery surrounds next week's… Audio
Leading academics join hands to oppose Tarras airport plan
Eleven of New Zealand's leading academics - including Dame Anne Salmond and professor Shaun Hendy - have signed an open letter calling for the plan to be scrapped.
NZ's first net annual population gain since March 2021 reported
The pace of immigration continues to pick up with Stats NZ reporting a net gain of 5700 people in the 12 months ended November.
End of a traumatic chapter in aviation history
Air travel, like tourism was an industry which took a real hammering when the Covid pandemic gripped the world. It's getting back to normal but issues remain - prices remain high, staff shortages mean… Audio
Rain washes out high tourism hopes
On the back of two tough years, the tourism industry's post-covid return has been marred by poor weather in parts of the country.
Tourism operators reliant on sunny skies have been dealt a cruel… Audio
Wet weather dashes summer hopes for some tourism operators
What was meant to be a grand return to business has become another nightmare for the tourism sector after a wet start to the year.
Sharon McLennan: the future of voluntourism
As the tourism industry gets back into swing, volunteer tourism is re-emerging too. It's a multi-billion dollar industry, with millions of volunteers involved worldwide. But who stands to gain? Audio
North Canterbury tourist towns enjoy Christmas boom
Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs enjoyed a busy holiday period as tourists returned after more than two years of Covid-19 disruptions.
Infested cruise ship concerns spark biosecurity meeting
Biosecurity NZ and the Cruise Association are working together to reduce the number of cruise ships being sent for last-minute cleaning.
Tourism operators frustrated cruise ships failing to meet biofouling standards
Tourism operators are annoyed to see cruise ships failing to meet the standard of cleanliness required to enter their ports.
International tourism bounces back quicker than expected
Tourism NZ will continue domestic marketing despite the return of international visitors, with its sights on long-term recovery after years of disruptions from Covid-19
Third cruise ship in three weeks fails NZ's biofouling standards
The Seven Seas Explorer had too many worms and too much algae.
How ships meet NZ's strict biofoul thresholds
There has been an increase in demand for the work due to a shortage of cleaning facilities and stricter biofoul thresholds.
Up to 530,000 international visitors expected in next two months
Half-a-million international visitors are expected to fly into New Zealand in the next two months, at the same time the tourism sector is battling chronic labour shortages.
Waka Kotahi signals delays ahead with New Year's Eve traffic hotspots
The transport agency is warning travellers to expect heavy traffic on highways up and down the country.
Bagmageddon: The suitcases lost for a week at Auckland airport
Christmas presents, birthday gifts, medication and clothes. It's all in Fiona Peacock's luggage which has been missing for a week at Auckland International Airport.
Tourism groups unite to run environmentally friendly bus
Tourism operators have joined forces to establish a bus service between Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park.
