Queenstown
Calling Home: Dean Treml in Luzern
Hawke's Bay native Dean Treml is a self-employed photographer who shoots mostly sports and worked for Red Bull for over 20 years, These days, he lives in the countryside in the canton of Luzern with… Audio, Gallery
Claustrophic housing puts Queenstown hospitality sector at risk of Covid-19 outbreak
There are fears Queenstown's hurting hospitality sector may be brought to a screeching halt if a Covid case occurs among workers.
First wave of Aucklanders flood through Queenstown Airport
The first wave of Aucklanders have flooded through Queenstown airport today, now that the city's border is open. Their arrival has been hotly anticipated by tourist operators desperate to revive their… Video, Audio
Auckland cinema chain plans to expand
A local cinema chain is pushing ahead with expansion plans, despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.
Queenstown business boss calls for earlier border opening
Tourist operators and towns are facing a long dry summer with international visitors still at least five months away.
The government has announced a gradual reopening of the border starting mid… Video, 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
Wanaka wants its own local government entity
Sick of getting the feeling they are playing second fiddle to tourism mecca Queenstown, Wanaka residents are looking to secede. They want their own local authority for the town separate from the… Audio
Lockdown travel window held open for Queenstown
Meanwhile travellers stranded in Queenstown have been given a temporary reprieve before the travel window is poised to slam shut.
Hundreds of people are in town trying to get back, but there have… Audio
Queenstown launches project to take town beyond tourism
Queenstown is bringing together some of the brightest business minds to work out ways to make the town more than just a tourist destination.
Covid-19 dealt a devastating below to the district as one… Audio
Queenstown council moving to reduce reliance on tourism
Queenstown Lakes District Council has announced a new campaign aimed to shake off the perception it's a holiday-only destination.
Covid-19: Skifields out in cold as AUS travel cancelled
The high hopes tourism towns had for Australian school holidays have collapsed, with the brakes put on the trans-Tasman bubble.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also ruled out financial help for… Video, Audio
School holiday lifeblood cut off with AUS-NZ travel bubble pause
The start of the Australian school holidays was meant to be a lifeline for Queenstown's beleaguered businesses, instead that lifeblood has been cut off.
The government has closed the trans-Tasman… Video, Audio
The Weekend Panel with Josie Pagani and Chris Wikaira
Panelists Josie Pagani and Chris Wikaira are looking at the Canterbury weather, the idea of a four-day work week, white privilege, and halting licences for new bottle stores because of increasing… Audio
Tourism leader says industry must become sustainable
The Minister of Tourism, Stuart Nash, has announced a 200-million dollar support plan for the Covid-impacted tourism sector at the annual tourism industry conference in Otautahi Christchurch today. Audio
Queenstown waiting for first Australian tourists to touch down
Queenstown is getting ready for the first plane load of Australian tourists to touch down. RNZ's South Island bureau chief, Belinda McCammon has been in the resort town for a few days. Audio
The Weekend Panel with Chris Wikaira and Brigitte Morten
Our Sunday panelists discuss the Covid-19 situation in New Zealand, whether domestic travel is the backbone of our travel industry, and whether we should be funding an America's Cup that is not held… Audio
Tourism Minister's vision promising, but Queenstown wants action
Queenstown businesses say the Tourism Minister's new vision is a promising game plan, but now they want to see action.
Stuart Nash outlined his vision for the future of the industry at a tourism… Audio
Struggling Queenstown businesses face vitriol
Queenstown has gone from being described as tourism's crown jewel to a vilified community facing vitriol - and told it's getting what it deserved.
But businesses say it's not just the iconic… Audio
Third of Queenstown businesses may be gone by winter
About a third of businesses in Queenstown's CBD expect to go down the gurgler before winter is out.
A new survey by the town's chamber of commerce paints a grim picture of business confidence in the… Video, 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
