Tess Brunton
Covid-19: Omicron throws a spanner into the works for tourism
The tourism industry is grappling with the prospect of its new normal being years away with billions of dollars lost by then and many more hurdles ahead - including its latest, the Omicron variant.
… Audio
Queenstown businesses struggle with severe staff shortages
Queenstown businesses are grappling with severe staff shortages - with some managers preparing to pitch in on the front line this summer.
Fully vaccinated people will be able to cross the Auckland… Audio
Australia visitors same risk as Aucklanders - Queenstown mayor
A South Island mayor wants the trans-Tasman bubble re-inflated saying Aucklanders pose a similar Covid risk as Australian travellers.
From 15 December, fully vaccinated people will be able to travel… Audio
Tourism, hospitality sectors race to attract staff
The tourism and hospitality industries are racing to find ways to attract and retain more staff.
They will need an estimated 80,000 new workers over the next five years.
Leaders of the sector have… Audio
Central Otago orchards scramble for staff ahead of harvest
With less than a month until harvest, Central Otago orchards are scrambling to find staff.
The region needs upwards of 5000 seasonal workers across the horticulture and viticulture industries during… Audio
Southern DHB readies for possibility of endemic Covid
Southern DHB is preparing for the worst for next year if Covid-19 becomes endemic in the community.
The DHB says Covid is the single biggest risk to both the community and itself, saying it could… Audio
Southern DHB prepares for worst case of 900 covid cases a week
The Southern District Health Board has been investigating just how big a risk Covid-19 is to the community.
The latest outbreak hasn't yet spread to the south - touch wood - but worst-case modelling… Audio
Covid-19: More than 2000 Great Walk bookings cancelled
More than 2000 Great Walk bookings have been cancelled in recent months as Covid-19 continues to take a toll.
In Fiordland, some Milford Track operators are describing it as one of the quietest… Audio
South Island works to stop spread after Blenheim Covid case
The South Island's streak of no Covid-19 community cases ended over the weekend, prompting discussions about how to reduce further spread.
The unvaccinated person flew from Rotorua to Blenheim late… Audio
Mr Whippy returns to streets of Dunedin
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Or at least that's the hope, as Mr Whippy returns to the streets of Dunedin.
It's been more than 10 years since the ice cream vendor was based… Video, Audio
Lamb's brain sought for Larnach Castle's 150th celebration menu
In the midst of the pandemic, Larnach Castle's 150th celebration faced an unusual quandary - not enough brains.
It's hosting a formal banquet to mark the milestone based on the menu its namesake -… Video, Audio
Covid-19: South Islanders face more time at level 2
The risk of travellers bringing Covid-19 means some mainlanders are accepting being stuck at level 2, despite no cases there.
The South Island is facing more time under level 2 restrictions while… Audio
Lake Ōhau rebuilding lives one year on from devastating fire
Residents in Lake Ōhau are rebuilding their lives and homes while slowly restoring the scorched landscape after last year's devastating fire.
Today marks one year since fire tore through the remote… Video, Audio
How Lake Ōhau village is looking one year after fire
Monday marks one year since a fire ripped through the Lake Ōhau alpine village, forcing people to flee in the middle of the night.
Roughly half the homes in the remote MacKenzie basin were destroyed… Audio
Locals hoping for answers one year on from Lake Ōhau fire
It's a year today since a fire ripped through the Lake Ōhau alpine village, forcing people to flee in the middle of the night.
Roughly half the homes in the remote MacKenzie basin were destroyed or… Audio
Cruise ship industry extends pause on NZ trips into 2022
The cruise ship industry says it needs some certainty around the border to save the industry and help towns who rely on their visitors.
Princess Cruises has announced its extending its pause of trips… Audio
Predator free apprenticeship scheme gets funding boost
An apprenticeship programme aimed at ridding Aotearoa of its worst pests has received a $2 million funding boost.
The two-year programme kicked off last year and is aimed at increasing the numbers of… Audio
Fox Glacier business hope for holiday boost
Fox Glacier businesses are holding out hope for a school holiday boost after a long and difficult winter.
Several businesses have already closed in town and others are considering whether to… Audio
'Exposed, vulnerable' in Franz Josef without visitors
Franz Josef business owners say they are struggling to keep their heads above water after losing Aucklanders and international visitors.
The winters are traditionally quiet, but businesses say… Video, Audio
Wanaka businesses struggle as Auckland lockdown ongoing
The school holidays are just around the corner but some parts of the country are expecting to miss out on an influx of visitors from Auckland.
Lockdown meant Wanaka lost weeks of prime ski season… Video, Audio
