Tourism
Eroding tourist number a worry for some parts of the country
Annual visitors have risen by a mere 2.7 percent - a seven-year low in growth terms. And places like the West Coast of the South Island could be hit hard. Jim Little from West Coast Tourism joins us… Audio
Swimming with whales disturbing natural behaviour
Swimming with the whales tourism in northern Tonga is disturbing the natural behaviour of nursing Humpbacks who are there to give birth, bond and nurse. Audio
Christchurch airport arrivals take off as national rate dives
Increasing numbers of overseas visitors have been touching down at Christchurch Airport, despite a drop in the total international arrivals in New Zealand.
DOC cracks down on rogue tourist operators
DOC says it won't hesitate to prosecute people who repeatedly flout access to public land for commercial gain. It follows a crackdown by the department on the number of people guiding tourists through… Audio
NZ Super Fund invests in Auckland, Christchurch hotels
The Super Fund is effectively providing finance for the hotels projects, which will be developed by the other parties.
Talk the Walk - The Hump Ridge Track
The Hump Ridge Track in Southland will soon become New Zealand's newest Great Walk, as conservation minister Eugenie Sage announced this morning. Audio
'Rubbish everywhere' as tourists rush to climb Uluru
Tourists are trespassing, camping illegally and dumping rubbish in an "influx of waste" as they flock to Uluru to climb the rock before it is permanently closed on 26 October.
Long-term arrivals forecast positive despite drop in Chinese visitors
Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis remains confident the Chinese visitor market will stay strong despite arrivals softening.
'Very high-level talks' secure filming for Lord of the Rings
Amazon needed reassurance after the Christchurch terrorist attacks that New Zealand was still a safe place to film the world's most expensive television series.
New visitor levy expected to raise $450m in first five years
Most international visitors will start paying an additional fee before entering New Zealand from today.
Auckland's tourism booming - but is a bust on the horizon?
Auckland has been ranked alongside Berlin, Las Vegas, London and Madrid in a recent tourism survey, but it is vulnerable to the foibles of over-tourism ... Audio
96% of international drivers fail NZ driving 'test'
Only seven of 226 international drivers quizzed in Queenstown passed a test that includes 30 real theory questions - most had already been driving in the country for more than a week. Audio
Kaikōura's post-quake growth pushes tour operator to expand
Whale Watch Kaikōura is planning to build a new boat that will set it apart from other tour operators, its general manager says.
Hawke's Bay water infrastructure, transport links get funding boost
Two dams, a lime juicing plant and a Māori tourism venture are among 19 projects in Hawke's Bay that will receive nearly $70m in cash from the Provincial Growth Fund. Audio
Tourism sector should pay for accommodation survey - officials
The tourism sector can pay for an accommodation survey if it thinks it is worthwhile, government officials say.
Queenstown, Wanaka locals vote in favour of bed tax
Provisional results of a non-binding referendum show more than 80 percent of Wanaka and Queenstown voters back a bed tax, which would be used to help fund infrastructure. Audio
Train Traffic
Paul Francis used to be a train driver and then a country cop but he has gone back to what he absolutely loves. He's set up his own tourism venture, Awakeri Rail Adventures, which allows him to spend… Audio, Gallery
Queenstown accommodation providers fear outcome of bed tax vote
Queenstown accommodation providers are fearful of the outcome of the referendum currently underway on a bed tax for tourists. Voting forms are pouring in as rate payers in the Queenstown Lakes… Audio
Tourism growth goals & Xero turns first profit
Business commentator Rod Oram looks at the tourism sector's strategy for future growth, and Xero turns in its first profit, with its record share price making its founder a billionaire. Audio
Boundaries wanted for government's tourism ambitions
Tourism leaders have welcomed the government's plans to be more active in the country's biggest export industry, but say it mustn't interfere with business.
