Jim Boult
Queenstown mayor on calls to sanction councils for consenting
Master builders say the current building consent system is "broken".
The association is calling for underperforming local councils to be sanctioned or even lose their consenting accreditation.
The… Audio
Queenstown mayor on thunderstorm-induced powercut
Queenstown residents have woken up to a violent thunderstorm which has knocked out power across the region.
Local lines company Aurora says residents across Queenstown, Glenorchy, Frankton were… Audio
Covid-19: Aucklanders impact on Queenstown a muted one
Nearly 2000 Aucklanders touched down in Queenstown on the first day of border-free travel but locals say their early impact was a muted one.
Several bars and restaurants spoken to by RNZ say business… Audio
Two motel units set aside for Queenstown self-isolation not enough for mayor
Just two motel units have been set aside in Queenstown for people who might need to isolate with Covid-19 in the Christmas holidays - despite tens of thousands of Aucklanders about to hit town.
… Audio
South Island prepares for the traffic light system
A traffic light Christmas is on the way, but freedoms will depend on the level of vaccination.
So what can the South Island expect?
Timonthy Brown reports. Audio
Queenstown businesses still struggling while Auckland travel restricted
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the government's new traffic light system may be rolled out in the South Island ahead of the rest of the country, if its DHBs reach the 90 percent vaccination… Audio
Auckland couple's lockdown escapade angers Queenstown mayor
Queenstown's mayor says he is "intensely angry" with the Auckland couple who flouted lockdown rules for an illegal jaunt to Wanaka.
Jim Boult says the escapade has put the town's health and economy… Audio
Covid-19: South Island hopeful for level drop
The Covid-free South Island has its fingers crossed for some good news today.
The Government will today discuss loosening Covid-19 restrictions of centres outside of Auckland.
Kim Moodie reports. Audio
Covid-19: Extended lockdown no surprise to the regions
News the alert level 4 lockdown is being extended surprised few in the Covid-19 free regions.
RNZ reporters - practising good physical distancing measures - have been taking the pulse of the nation.
…Covid-19: Queenstown Mayor wants to open up soon
South Islanders are becoming increasingly frustrated at being locked down when there are no confirmed Covid-19 cases on the mainland.
The Prime Minister says there are over 100 close contacts down… Audio
Balloon crash near Queenstown, 11 injured
Eleven people have been injured when a hot air balloon crashed while landing near Arrowtown this morning. The police were told the balloon had come down on Morven Ferry Road about an hour ago. One… Audio
Queenstown welcomes Australian PM for visit
Australian Prime Minster Scott Morrison is in New Zealand for his first face to face meeting with Prime Minister Ardern in more than a year. The trans-Tasman summit in Queenstown will focus on our… Audio
Queenstown pleased to see Australian tourists start to visit
Today marks two weeks since the first quarantine-free flights between New Zealand and Australia. Tourism operators in both countries pinned hopes of an economic boost on the travel bubble, but how… Audio
Last ditch effort to find Amber-Lee Cruickshank
A reward of 100-thousand dollars has been offered for information leading to the identity and conviction of anyone responsible for the disappearance of toddler, Amber-Lee Cruickshank in 1992. Audio
Queenstown mayor urges more action to help region
The rest of New Zealand is in Covid-19 alert level 2 - despite the current outbreak being centred in Auckland.
That means for everywhere outside of Auckland - gatherings are limited to 100 - meaning… Video, Audio
Apartments in Queenstown offered for $200,000
It's been a long time since a $200,000 mortgage allowed you to buy a property in Queenstown.
But now a local housing trust is offering 25 apartments for the same price that they cost to build.
The… Audio
Two more Covid cases, bad news for tourism operators
The Ministry of Health confirmed late last night that there are two more cases of Covid-19 in the community. The two cases completed managed isolation at the same time as the weekend's Northland case… Audio
Queenstown Mosque plastered with anti-Islamic posters
Anti-Islamic posters have been plastered on Queenstown's new mosque.
The mosque only opened two weeks ago after the community raised thousands for a deposit towards buying its premises.
Southern… Audio
Lower South Island jobseeker numbers up more than 50 percent
Covid-19 has caused economic pain throughout the country, but nowhere more than the lower South Island where the numbers on the dole have increased more than 50 percent since February.
Unsurprisingly… Audio
Affordable housing wait lists still growing in Queenstown and Wanaka
Covid-19 has brought an end to the rocketing rental prices in Queenstown and Wanaka but the waiting list for affordable housing continues to grow.
While those on the frontline of what was described… Audio