Tourism

A multi-million dollar fund is now available for innovative tourism projects to help the industry become more sustainable and resilient.

With international tourists back in the country and a promising summer on the horizon, the tourism industry has begun recovering and looking towards its future.

Auckland's major events calendar looks alarmingly empty from 2024 and the city's culture and economic agency says it urgently needs to find $20 million a year to start filling it.

Auckland Council's cultural and economic development agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says it is short of nearly $20 million to attract visitors to the city.

When Australian Annie Ford came to New Zealand to visit family, she would have never expected what the journey would be like to "ride instead of fly".

Tourism operators in Rotorua are firmly against the idea of some motels remaining as emergency housing accommodation for another five years. Audio

Trampers can now walk the Abel Tasman Coast track in full, after significant work was done to repair the damage caused by severe rain.

Air New Zealand's chief executive says more planes are on the way and with them the hope of cheaper airfares. Audio

Air New Zealand plans to restart direct flights to Bali in March, with a seasonal service running until the end of October next year.

Air New Zealand is warning travellers to book holidays early, as a combination of rising fuel prices, inflation and high demand have forced it to review and hike its airfares. Audio

A Rotorua tourism business has gone into liquidation after failing to claw itself back following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tourism minister says Aotearoa is set for a strong summer, with international spending hitting 88 percent of pre-Covid 19 levels in the four weeks to the end of September.

It comes as three big cruise liners - one with about 130 cases on board - arrive at New Zealand ports.

Cruise ships visiting Akaroa Harbour may be responsible for a change in the behaviour of Hector's dolphins in the area, new research suggests.

Mountain bikers have proposed a new series of tracks like 'ski field' zones in and around popular Marlborough walking tracks.

A freedom camping site mooted for the car park of Marlborough's premier sport ground will add "another layer of frustration" to the area, neighbours say.