On Wednesday we heard from Tourism minister Stuart Nash, who said the New Zealand government would actively pursue high-value tourists while at the same time dissuading freedom campers and backpackers from visiting.
Many of our listeners took umbrage with that -- pointing out that backpackers often form long-lasting relationships with New Zealand and that in many cases so-called "low value" travellers often end up living and working here.
Anthony Gardiner works in tourism marketing and has recently completed a research project on New Zealand Tourism and Covid-19 at the University of Otago.
