Stories by Tess Brunton
News
Businesses 'may go into liquidation' due to loss of Waiho River Bridge
Some West Coast businesses may go bust after the closure of the Waiho River Bridge caused an abrupt end to visits by tourists
West Coast cleanup: Herbicide, asbestos, 'containers that say toxic'
Toxic materials are being found among the rubbish washing up along the West Coast after floodwaters spread it along the coastline from an abandoned landfill.
Community offers to help after damp home complaints from refugees
Muslim refugee families living in cold, damp conditions may face a warmer winter following offers of potential homes and donations.
Refugee family says Dunedin accommodation making them sick
An Iraqi refugee says his family has had to endure cold and damp living conditions in Dunedin because Immigration NZ did not give them enough information about the home they were moving into.
'Lifeline' bridge washed away in West Coast flooding
West Coast residents say floodwaters have washed away a lifeline for their community after torrential rain battered the coast for two days. Video
Volunteers offer to help Muslim families after mosque attack
Some Muslim families haven't left their homes since the Christchurch terrorist attacks, so volunteers are creating food hampers and offering to drive around those who feel uncomfortable using public…
Wanaka subdivision residents on hotel development: 'We're all terrified'
Residents at a Wanaka subdivision say they are being effectively gagged from having a say on what happens in their own backyard.
Queenstown visitor tax: 'It will put a lot of travellers off'
Some tourists may give Queenstown a second thought if a local visitor tax is imposed in the resort town.
Queenstown residents decry housing boost without infrastructure
A proposed special housing area in Queenstown is copping flak from the community who say the town cannot cope with the influx of more people.
Wanaka KiwiBuild homes facing tough competition to be sold
Wanaka's housing market is booming and affordable housing is in high demand, so why are five out of 10 KiwiBuild homes sitting empty?
Otago miniature horse stabbing 'absolutely inconceivable'
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen says the stabbing death of a miniature horse is one of worst cases of animal cruelty she has heard of.
Lime e-scooter rider hit by truck urges helmet use
An American woman is on the road to recovery after she was hit by a truck while riding a Lime e-scooter in Dunedin.
NZ-China relations worries tourism operators
A tourism industry leader hopes politics won't get in the way of the rapidly growing Chinese tourism market.
Dunedin's rubbish problem could be shipped out of town
The Dunedin City Council may have to resort to exporting its rubbish in coming years, due to a lack of planning and foresight.
Travel booking: 'People want that human element'
Most travel to New Zealand is booked through travel agents despite competition from online services.
Tourist demands mean rural practices left without GP for hours
The pressure of having to look after an influx of tourists is leaving some rural doctor's practices without a GP for hours on end.
China tourism partnership provides chance 'to turn up the volume'
The government wants to capitalise on the boom in one of our largest visitor markets by joining forces with China to promote tourism between the two countries.
Sustainability becomes key focus for tourism
With more than five million visitors expected to arrive by 2024, a tourism strategy is being developed to help the industry handle the predicted growth.
Bid for sustainable tourism gathers pace
A push for sustainable tourism is being embraced by the industry as visitor numbers look set to boom.
Strong tourism season predicted to heat up recruitment
Tourism operators around the country are bracing for the summer surge with domestic tourism expected to be at its peak.
Southland weighs up benefits of attracting more cruise ships
A Southland port is being eyed as a potential hub for cruise ships to visit and there's hopes that it will help build the reputation of the region as a destination.
Lack of tourism data: 'It's impossible to plan'
Despite Statistics New Zealand releasing regional figures on monthly tourism spending, the government has no record of how many people are visiting the regions and where they are staying.
Risk of speading Wallabies sparks pest action plan
Fears Wallabies are placed to become the possum problem of the 21st century has prompted a management plan funding bid.
Tourism: majority unaware it's NZ's biggest earner, survey finds
A new survey shows more than half of New Zealanders don't know tourism is the country's biggest earner or how many tourists visit each year.
Tourism industry eager for an associate minister
The tourism industry remains hopeful an Associate Tourism Minister will be appointed despite their initial request being refused.