Tess Brunton

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

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

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

An Auckland couple's illicit lockdown escape to a holiday home is being described by Wānaka locals as selfish and inexcusable.

The 35-year-old man and his 26 year-old partner crossed Auckland's… Video, Audio

Otago locals are furious an Auckland couple flouted level 4 lockdown escaping Auckland for a family holiday home in Wanaka.

The 35-year old man and his 26 year old partner crossed Auckland's southern… Video, Audio

Now to Central Otago, where the Alexandra community is devastated their annual blossom festival has been cancelled.

It was to be the 65th year of the historic event and is the longest, continuously… Audio

An independent reviewer says Invercargill residents should feel confident that their local council can do its job after a tumultuous 12 months that included potential government intervention.

Late… Audio

From midnight Wednesday morning all of New Zealand - barring Auckland - will move to alert level 2, but with new restrictions in the face of Covid-19 Delta.

South Islanders say they are relieved and… Audio

Reluctant cooks and coffee fans across the South Island are embracing the shift to Level 3 and return of their favourite takeaways.

Hamburgers, lattes, chips and croissants were all on the menu as… Video, Audio

Takeaway is back on the menu in the South Island.

For many reluctant cooks, Level 3 brings a much-wanted break from baking, braising and boiling as well as a boost to businesses.

Tess Brunton has… Audio

Takeaway food is back on the cards from Wednesday and in the Covid-19 free South Island businesses are already busy preparing to reopen their doors.

While they're relieved to have some customers… Audio

Some Canterbury health staff are being told they can't work from home. Their rationale - there are no Covid-19 cases in the South Island and vaccination is available. And a union says other DHBs are… Audio

A South Island festival organiser says they're scrambling to work out how to enforce mandatory scanning, if they're able to go ahead.

Tess Brunton has more. Audio

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

The window for people needing to get home is rapidly closing -- there're less than 12 hours left. Air New Zealand is asking for more time, with many people still stranded. RNZ's Tess Brunton speaks to… Audio

South Island businesses are standing behind the lockdown, saying it's a gutting but necessary decision.

Tess Brunton reports. Audio

Tourism operators are warning the rules governing national parks are so outdated that when a crisis like Covid-19 strikes and they need to adapt, they're hamstrung.

A different set of rules - or… Audio

Queenstown's council has been left scratching its head over how its lake has been stained neon green.

The neon green water has flowed down a creek through town, snaking its way through central… Video, Audio

The tourism industry is welcoming a new roadmap to reopen Aotearoa's borders next year while preparing for more tough times ahead.

Today, the Prime Minister announced the immediate focus is to ramp… Video, Audio

A stopper's been placed on drunken teenage parties at a popular South Island camp ground - with a booze ban put in place.

Loch Laird, near Otematata, is a popular haunt for high school-aged students… Audio