Stories by Tess Brunton

Belgian tourist Lisa Callebaut thought she was safely tucked up in a campsite on Monday when news came through that within 48 hours she would be joining the nationwide lockdown.

Thousands of migrant workers in Queenstown may struggle to have food or shelter after losing their jobs and becoming stranded.

Tens of thousands of people may be left stranded in New Zealand as popular transit airports start to close their doors.

The aviation industry has welcomed the government's plans to halve all border fee increases as it struggles with the impact of Covid-19.

A tourism leader is questioning the government's silence over its investment plan for the $35-a-head tourist tax, which has collected more than $55 million since last July.

A Southland man who stole two police-issued pistols and a patrol car, triggering a manhunt, has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.

Fifty years ago, the plight of two iconic Fiordland lakes sparked a nationwide outcry and the largest environmental campaign the country has ever seen.

Dozens of tourist coaches were allowed to travel the Milford Road today for the first time since a storm closed the road at the start of February.

Crews are scouring Milford Road for damage, smoothing it out ahead of the first tourist convoys after it was extensively damaged.

It's been described as 'Tinder for tourism' - and Go with Tourism is already reporting hundreds of successful matches less than a year since its soft launch.

Some tourism operators are anticipating losses in the millions of dollars because of the coronavirus outbreak, but Kelvin Davis says the industry needs to remain calm.

From a Gutbuster stair challenge and competitive wine-tasting to the more traditional athletics and football, the Masters Games promises an eclectic competition for anyone over 18.

A relic of New Zealand's rail past has emerged from the mud 93 years after being dumped in a Southland River. Video

The impact of the coronavirus which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has led to nearly 3000 confirmed cases in 15 countries.

Southlanders are embracing a new direct jet flight connecting them to Auckland with more than 46,000 seats already sold.

With tourism growth slowing down, the industry says it is turning its focus to ensuring a sustainable future - including looking after the environment and communities.

Stewart Island/Rakiura residents are hopeful they can build on a successful first year as a Dark Sky Sanctuary.

A lack of housing is driving up prices in Central Otago, a report shows, and the market could yet come under more pressure as the fruit industry expands, growers say.

More flooding, habitat loss, poorer water quality and fewer species could be on the cards for a Southland lagoon as climate changes.

Dunedin City Council is making its latest push to build the city's first five-star hotel, calling for developers to pitch their plans to transform an inner city carpark.

The University of Otago interns caught abusing their overseas work placements are being used as scapegoats, a medical student's family says.

Dunedin will not run out of water after a massive fire damaged the city's water supply, but it will come at a cost.

Otago is the latest region to receive a major injection for the Provincial Growth Fund in a bid to revitalise the rail system, the Dunedin waterfront and bring more jobs.

DOC is worried about the risk of multiple fatalities on the hugely popular 19km hike, so it has a new warning system for the summer season.

Rakiura/Stewart Island residents say a housing shortage is forcing some people to move off the island - and it's only expected to get worse.