The mayor of Queenstown Lakes has described plans to cut hundreds of tourism jobs as a horror story.
One of the country's largest tourist operators, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, has announced plans to close its businesses for the foreseeable future with 300 jobs on the line.
Tourism businesses around the country have been hemorrhaging staff and income since the borders closed and lockdown started last month.
Tourism leaders told our reporter Tess Brunton more high profile operators are likely to follow suit and go into hibernation.
