Stories by Tess Brunton

Ready Player One? Otago Museum is transforming into an interactive game zone as part of its latest exhibition.

As Aotearoa prepares to mark its first Matariki long weekend, tourism operators are hopeful it's a sign of more prosperity to come.

A Southland cannabis producer hopes to ease patient's pain and ensure they're less out of pocket with prescription pot.

The tourism industry says it's ready to say 'Kia Ora' to the world even as it prepares for more hurdles ahead.

Queenstown Airport has officially welcomed its first trans-Tasman flight in more than 300 days.

Queenstown is ready to roll out the welcome mat after 330 days without a scheduled international flight.

Queenstown locals are putting up their hands - and picking up dish cloths - to help as businesses brace for a busy winter with staff thin on the ground.

Stewart Island's visitor levy is expected to treble - but it will be phased in.

The proposed changes to conservation law are focused on streamlining the processes for concessions and management planning for national parks and conservation land.

Immunocompromised people say looser mask exemption criteria means they may need to further restrict their activities in order to stay safe. Audio

Australians can now enter the country without isolating, but Queenstown tourism businesses aren't expecting a return en masse until the ski season.

Firefighters are warning a fire that has been devastating conservation land could flare up and spread with more windy, dry conditions on the way. Audio

Kaikōura businesses are remaining optimistic about the future despite the return of tourists predicted to still be months away.

The tourists are coming back, but will one of the country's most special destinations be ready for them?

The $290m Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme was formed to provide rapid support for NZ's significant tourism assets, but it's come under scrutiny with concerns about transparency.

The top watchdog has criticised a government tourism fund, that handed out hundreds of millions dollars, for a lack of transparency and clarity - and many in the industry are fuming.

Bookings are steadily streaming into businesses in the Mackenzie District ahead of borders reopening next month.

Southland is grappling with an extreme dry spell that has prompted water restrictions across the region and a total fire ban.

Former tourism workers are taking the plunge back into the hard-hit industry, saying they cannot wait to welcome back visitors.

Auckland businesses say a voucher scheme aimed to get locals to explore their own backyard has been a lifeline after lockdown.

The Prime Minister has gone on a marketing blitz to reel Australians to our shores. Audio

South Westland businesses say the border reopening dates mean they can start edging out of survival mode after two years of hanging on by their fingernails.

Tourist operators in hardest-hit regions can soon apply to the government's $49m kick-start fund to help get ready for the return of international visitors.

Financial uncertainty has not deterred some West Coast business owners who have taken the plunge and set up shop in the midst of the pandemic.

Tourism operators are hopeful the border could be open in time for Australians to eat our hot cross buns this Easter.