Stories by Tess Brunton
News
'I'd rather put up with missing out on things' - Fears over loosened mask exemptions
Immunocompromised people say looser mask exemption criteria means they may need to further restrict their activities in order to stay safe. Audio
'It's going to build slowly': Queenstown looks to ski season tourist influx
Australians can now enter the country without isolating, but Queenstown tourism businesses aren't expecting a return en masse until the ski season.
Awarua fire: Firefighters worried wind will bring flare ups
Firefighters are warning a fire that has been devastating conservation land could flare up and spread with more windy, dry conditions on the way. Audio
Kaikōura businesses wait for tourists to return: 'We know we'll get there'
Kaikōura businesses are remaining optimistic about the future despite the return of tourists predicted to still be months away.
Fiordland tourist operators keen to put 'diabolical' years behind them
The tourists are coming back, but will one of the country's most special destinations be ready for them?
Controversial government tourism fund saved jobs, propped up business, recipient says
The $290m Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme was formed to provide rapid support for NZ's significant tourism assets, but it's come under scrutiny with concerns about transparency.
Businesses furious govt 'picked favourites' for $290m tourism fund
The top watchdog has criticised a government tourism fund, that handed out hundreds of millions dollars, for a lack of transparency and clarity - and many in the industry are fuming.
Mackenzie District tourism businesses '100 percent ready for action'
Bookings are steadily streaming into businesses in the Mackenzie District ahead of borders reopening next month.
Southland enters drought restrictions with water in short supply
Southland is grappling with an extreme dry spell that has prompted water restrictions across the region and a total fire ban.
Tourism workers excited, ready to welcome visitors to New Zealand
Former tourism workers are taking the plunge back into the hard-hit industry, saying they cannot wait to welcome back visitors.
Tourism funding boosts Auckland businesses' confidence
Auckland businesses say a voucher scheme aimed to get locals to explore their own backyard has been a lifeline after lockdown.
'Warmest welcome you can imagine' - PM opens doors to tourists
The Prime Minister has gone on a marketing blitz to reel Australians to our shores. Audio
'So surreal': Tourism operators in Westland prepared for a slow recovery
South Westland businesses say the border reopening dates mean they can start edging out of survival mode after two years of hanging on by their fingernails.
'We can survive': Tourism operators prepare to rebuild with fund
Tourist operators in hardest-hit regions can soon apply to the government's $49m kick-start fund to help get ready for the return of international visitors.
West Coasters explore new business opportunities during pandemic
Financial uncertainty has not deterred some West Coast business owners who have taken the plunge and set up shop in the midst of the pandemic.
Tourism operators seek certainty from PM's border announcement
Tourism operators are hopeful the border could be open in time for Australians to eat our hot cross buns this Easter.
Tourism recovery fund only a stopgap fix, operators say
Tourism businesses in the five hardest-hit regions say targeted government funding has been a boon but not a silver bullet.
Tourism NZ says industry will focus on reopening 'rehiring and hiring new staff'
The head of Tourism New Zealand says 2022 looks like the year of reopening, but he acknowledges it will be a bumpy road ahead.
Cruise ship industry wants more certainty, sooner, about maritime border reopening
Cruise companies say they do not know when they will be able to return to Aotearoa and their preparation deadline is rapidly approaching.
Community board backs doubling of Stewart Island visitor levy
Plans to potentially treble the Stewart Island visitor levy are back on the table, but the local community board did not want the levy bumped above $10.
Tourism sector anxious over timing of full border reopening, finding staff
Tourism operators are pleased to see self isolation for travellers kicked to the curb, but say they still need answers about the border.
'A lot more certainty' for Chatham Islands with tourism spike
With borders closed, more New Zealanders have been ticking the Chatham Islands off their bucket list than before the pandemic.
Parties off in Dunedin as Omicron spreads among students
It's an Orientation Week like no other for hundreds of Otago University students stuck isolating with Covid or as close contacts.
Ōamaru's blue penguins combine tourism, conservation and science
A colony of little blue penguins in North Otago's Ōamaru has gone from being a nuisance to the stars of a show that supports not only their own conservation, but helps to protect their species. Video
Ski fields worry isolation rules will leave them out in the cold
While ski fields are pleased to welcome travellers back to the slopes after the government announced its border reopening plan, the industry says their hopes might be shot if self-isolation rules keep… Audio