Tourism
Hospitality NZ on ‘bed tax’ vote
Hospitality NZ general manager of accommodation Rachel Shadbolt discusses the Auckland Council's decision to press ahead with a controversial 'bed tax'. Video, Audio
Auckland passes controversial 'bed tax'
Councillors voted 11 to eight in favour of the targeted rate on accommodation providers, in a victory for mayor Phil Goff who proposed it as a new source of income for the council. Audio
Native birds at risk of extinction without tourist tax
In a new report, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, says 80 percent of native bird species are in trouble. Video, Audio
80% of NZ native birds in trouble
Eighty percent of New Zealand's native bird species are in trouble, with some teetering on the brink of extinction, according to a new report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment… Audio
Phil Goff denies bed tax for accomm providers is illegal
Auckland Council is getting set this week to vote on a plan for a so-called bed tax in the city for hotels and motels. The cost is designed to cover half the expense of staging major events in the… Audio
Bed tax 'illegal' - tourism industry
Legal advice obtained by the tourism industry says a bed tax on Auckland accommodation providers can't be passed on to customers.
Michelle Connell: Off The Beaten Track
Kathryn Ryan interviews Michele Connell, one of the founders of Off The Beaten Track, a new website which is hoping to offer an Air BnB-like service to private landowners who are happy to host… Audio
To tip or not to tip...
The Deputy Prime Minister, Paula Bennett has suggested New Zealand should embrace tipping to improve the quality of service for tourists. Ms Bennett, who is also the Tourism Minister, made the… Audio
Opponents claim Queenstown gondola expansion could be fire risk
A $100 million project to double the size of Queenstown's landmark gondola ride has been challenged as a deadly fire risk. Audio
Tourism: a credible career
Tourism and hospitality careers are undervalued, despite being the country's largest export earner, and should be made University Entrance subjects again, a lecturer says. Audio
Auckland missing out on new tourism fund - ATEED
An Auckland tourism group says it's missing out on the government's new tourism fund even though the city has had a record number of visitors this past summer.
Kaikōura businesses at risk over winter - Mayor
Kaikōura's mayor is warning even more businesses could fall over during the quiet winter season.
Adventure-seeking Chinese behind tourism surge
Visitors to New Zealand are expected to surge to 4.9 million in the next seven years, nearly 1.5 million more than last year. Audio
Environment and tourism at odds
AUT's Simon Milne analyzes the government's Tourism plan. Audio
John Kirwan Ambassador for Auckland
Rugby legend Sir John Kirwan has been appointed as an Ambassador for Auckland by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development. Audio
New $102m tourism fund 'some way' from what councils need
The government's new infrastructure fund falls short of what is needed to help councils pay for more toilets and carparks, a tourism leader says.
Tourists to pay extra for DOC tracks - Minister
The Department of Conservation is set to start charging tourists more than the locals for walking New Zealand's tramping tracks.
Tweaked tourism route for Kaikōura coast
A re-launched tourism route along the reshaped Kaikōura coastline is hoped to bring visitors back to the earthquake-hit region.
Ed Sheeran announcement fills Dunedin motels
Moteliers are dampening fears Dunedin cannot handle large crowds after the announcement of Ed Sheeran's concert date filled motels within hours. Audio
Govt injects $178m to manage tourism influx
Tourism operators say more is needed despite the government announcing $178m for councils and the Department of Conservation to build more carparks and toilets. Audio
