Tess Brunton

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.

About a quarter of New Zealanders have a disability, yet there are no figures that properly capture what that means for the tourism industry.

Visitors will be unable to travel to New Zealand without a new Electronic Travel Authority as tougher border rules go live today.

Tourism New Zealand could branch out into the domestic visitor market following an independent review.

The Civil Defence Minister says it's a matter of when, not if, the Alpine Fault ruptures and the tourism industry needs to be prepared.

Speed dating was given a political twist in Dunedin yesterday with the city's youth putting mayoral candidates through their paces.

Millions of dollars are being poured into supporting freedom camping. But one mayor says they don't call it that any more - there's no free lunch and someone's always paying.

Wanaka mothers say maternity care needs action, not to be used as a political football.

Only aircraft with more than 90 seats are currently screened, but Tourism Summit Aotearoa speakers agree the days of free-and-easy air travel are numbered.

The head of Tourism Industry Aotearoa believes the industry will be valued at more than $40 billion this year.

The record visitor boom is over, with predictions the tourism growth rate could hit zero over the next two years.

More than 75 prohibited firearms and 200 accessories have been handed in at the latest buyback in Otago today.

Wellington businesses are being urged to become 'China ready' before up to 10,000 new Chinese tourists visit the capital this cruise ship season.

A popular lake became a no-contact zone when when E. coli levels hit almost double the amount deemed safe last summer - but it's being thrown a lifeline.

The country's new $35-a-head international visitor levy will contribute $18m to 10 projects including funding for Kākāpō recovery, managing the West Coast as a destination and preventing wildlife…