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ROUND UP
‘But I’m scared!’ Tonga’s RLWC prop freezes and stalls before completing Sky Jump Tonga’s rugby league team have been all about reaching new heights in this year’s Rugby League World Cup tournament. TVNZ
Evacuation after Air NZ chemical spill Two people are being assessed by ambulance crew after a chemical spill at Auckland Airport. RNZ
Mike Hosking: Don’t dare turn this into the America’s cock-up If it encroaches on harbour, so what? Harbours are for boats. NZ Herald
New map shows New Zealand’s secret free food If you’re looking for a free helping of blackberries, grapes or peaches this summer, you won’t have to look far. Newshub
Auckland hotel prices set for summer spike Auckland hotel prices could reach record highs over the summer with rates across the country also rising. RNZ
Port’s $10m ‘dolphin’ back to bite Goff Plans for a $10 million, 85-metre structure out into the Waitemata Harbour to berth super cruise liners are back on the table. Newsroom
Former Whanganui student launches ‘Airbnb of car rentals’ Oscar Ellison’s car-sharing business is tackling Auckland’s transport crisis head on. NZ Herald
Superyachts already plotting course to NZ for America’s Cup Enquiries are already coming in from owners of vessels over 100m. NZ Herald
Cost pressure builds on small businesses Commercial accommodation members in Auckland could see an increase in their rates on top of the recently introduced targeted rate. NZ Herald
Behind the scenes at Auckland Airport’s $1.8bn build CEO: Operating in the middle of NZ’s biggest private construction site is a challenge. NZ Herald
Thai Airways joins Dreamliner club in Auckland Thai Airways International joins the Dreamliner club in Auckland tomorrow, with its new Boeing 787-9 flying in from Bangkok. NZ Herald
Auckland loses beloved coastal walkway Erosion and a lack of maintenance to mudcrete paths around the western side of Hobson Bay have seen the Waitematā Local Board take the decision to officially close the coastal track between the Awatea Reserve and its end under the cliffs of St Stephens Ave. Newsroom
Cost to build America’s Cup bases revealed Three main options have been put forward costing between $140m and $190m. NZ Herald
Wharf extension for America’s Cup draws strong criticism Opposition is growing to a large wharf expansion for the America’s Cup, with fears it will cause lasting damage to the Waitemata Harbour. NZ Herald
AVANI Hotels & Resorts Makes its debut in New Zealand The vibrant upscale brand by Minor Hotels, has made its first foray into New Zealand, with the opening of AVANI Metropolis Auckland Residences opening its doors recently. ITCM
Auckland Council’s tourism arm stands firm on a spring date for NZ Women’s Open Auckland’s main tourism body is standing firm that its $3 million three-year investment in the New Zealand Women’s Golf Open is conditional on the event taking place in the spring. Stuff
Air New Zealand and YVR celebrate 10th anniversary Air New Zealand and Vancouver International Airport marked their 10-year partnership of flying from Vancouver to Auckland with a unique celebration. Vancouver Sun
Financial crisis may see Auckland Art Gallery turn away visitors The gallery could turn away visitors and tourists one or two days a week. NZ Herald
Auckland trains: the good, the bad and what needs to happen next Ever taken a ride on a train? If so, what did you think about it? If you could rate it on a scale of one to ten, what score would you give it? NZ Herald
Bed tax targets question council spending Accommodation providers hit by new rates question spending by Auckland council and ATEED. NZ Herald
The Langham hotel rebrands as Cordis Auckland Cordis is a new upper-scale brand of the Langham Hospitality Group, and the 411-room Auckland hotel will its first in the Pacific region. NZ Herald
Living next to Auckland tourist hot spot gets neighbours steamed up Just 45 minutes from the CBD, the Waitakere’s Mokoroa falls are a thing of beauty. TVNZ
Auckland ranked the 28th most friendly city in the world for tourists Auckland is the friendliest city in Oceania. NZ Herald
April 2017
Mike Hosking: Lot of fuss over Waiheke bus There has always been a tension about Waiheke. The NZ Herald
Flights delayed, cancelled out of Auckland There’s disruption for flights in and out of Auckland airport on Wednesday evening as wild weather bears down on the country, with one plane bound for Kerikeri forced to turn around in the air. Stuff
Aucklanders told to prepare for cancelled bus and ferry services as extreme weather predicted Auckland Transport says disruption to public transport tomorrow seems inevitable, with extreme weather predicted. 1 News
Auckland receptionist takes silver in world champs An Auckland hotel worker has claimed silver in the 2017 receptionist world championships. Stuff
‘A number will end up in cars’ – fears for the homeless as accommodation books out for Lions tour There are concerns for those relying on Auckland motels for emergency housing as two big sporting events are set to kick-off in the city. 1 NEWS
Waiheke bus protesters make tourists get out and walk Around 150 protesters blocked tourists on Waiheke Island from travelling by bus. Newshub
Auckland Airport launches Strata Club to reward frequent fliers The airport has launched its own loyalty scheme that rewards frequent travellers. NBR
Air New Zealand adds new jet service between Auckland and Dunedin Air New Zealand is adding a new return jet service between Dunedin and Auckland from July. The Press
Chinese developers to build $20 million hotel on Dominion Rd A resource consent has been lodged for a 60-room hotel. NZ Herald
Airport parking costs: Are travellers being charged fairly? A new report into airport car parking has questioned whether travellers are being fairly charged. NZ Herald
April fools! Zipline ride from One Tree Hill a flight of fancy If you thought a half-price deal to zipline 800m off the peak of One Tree Hill was too good to be true – well, you were right. NZ Herald
Lions surcharge shock: $780 for camper, now $2100 Businesses are being warned against price gouging during the Lions Tour, with one vehicle rental company hiking prices by up to 200%. NZ Herald
March 2017
Does Auckland’s tourism trumpet need muting? Auckland is filled to the brim so why is it still being promoted as a destination? Radio NZ
Chinese hoteliers on Goff’s new rates rise: ‘If only we’d known …’ If Fu Wah International Group had known its Park Hyatt Auckland hotel would be treated as responsible for 10% of the Auckland visitor economy, it would never have agreed to invest here. NBR (subscription)
Road closures expected as Auckland Airport motorway upgrades continue Passengers can expect a lot of changes on their journeys to and from Auckland Airport in the coming months. Stuff
Rachel Smalley: Auckland needs a second airport I saw the Prime Minister speak to a business audience last night – the Business North Harbour Association had a ‘meet the prime minister’ evening. Newstalk ZB
Pillow tax: Tourism industry wants to know more about where Ateed spends its money Commercial accommodation providers targeted by Auckland Council to pay for promoting the city are concerned about a lack of information on the agency they are being asked to fund. The NZ Herald
Motels given millions to house homeless Five Auckland motels have received more than $1.3 million of taxpayer money in just three months to house homeless people. Radio NZ
Ateed turns to private sector to help capture Auckland’s growth Auckland’s economy is growing at a fast clip but not fast enough to bridge an alarming infrastructure funding shortfall. NBR (subscription)
Passengers on flight delayed for 42 hours have nowhere to stay – because Auckland is booked out for Adele Passengers on a Malaysia Airlines flight delayed by more than 42 hours due to a mechanical fault are stranded at Auckland Airport because all nearby accommodation is booked out for Adele. The NZ Herald
New Pullman for Auckland Airport The first image has been released of the 250-room Pullman Hotel to be built beside the Novotel at Auckland International Airport. The NZ Herald
Search on for Auckland City hotel sites International hotel investors are looking to buy but there are not enough properties. True Commercial
Goff backs airport light rail sooner The Auckland mayor is urging the government to push ahead with light rail to the airport. Radio NZ
Superliners set course for Auckland The superliner Pacific Jewel will become a regular fixture on Auckland’s skyline next year. The NZ Herald
Tourism New Zealand deny funding request from Duco Events for Joseph Parker fight Duco Events has failed to get backing from Tourism NZ. Stuff
New Sheraton planned for Auckland’s Queen St After many years without a Sheraton hotel, Auckland is about to get the brand back. The NZ Herald
Auckland accommodation rate plan ‘like the Chinese poll tax’ One veteran of the hotel sector says the proposed Auckland City targeted rate on the accommodation sector was a blunt weapon like the Chinese poll tax. The NZ Herald
Staying at the Novotel Auckland Airport Linda Thompson checks into the Novotel Auckland Airport. The NZ Herald
Auckland waterfront plans: Wharf extension for superyachts likely to draw criticism The Auckland Council is dusting off plans for the city’s waterfront that include new cruise ship facilities, berths for superyachts and a park on Wynyard Pt. The NZ Herald
Hundreds criticise Auckland Airport for shooting security dog Auckland Airport is acknowledging the public outcry after 10-month-old trainee security dog Grizz was shot dead and is promising its own investigation. Newstalk ZB
Tourism may be too much of a good thing for overwhelmed New Zealand When their flight home to the U.S. from Auckland was delayed last month, a group of 53 elderly American tourists was put up in a traditional Maori meeting house for the night because all the city’s hotels were full. The NZ Herald
Auckland accommodation businesses on the warpath over planned rates hikes Auckland commercial accommodation businesses are squaring up for a fight over paying for city tourism promotion. Stuff
Road closures expected as Auckland Airport motorway upgrades continue Passengers can expect a lot of changes on their journeys to and from Auckland Airport in the coming months. Stuff
Phil Goff: Bed tax should pay for Auckland’s promotion Ratepayers have shouldered the burden of growth for too long and it is time to look for new solutions from those who benefit the most. The NZ Herald
World Masters Games to bring wealthy tourists, organisers say With over 27,000 well-off athletes set to converge on Auckland for the World Masters Games, organisers expect it to give a significant economic boost. The NZ Herald
Tourist boom pushing up room rates The booming tourism sector has helped drive Auckland’s average hotel room rate to $197 per night, up 9% on the previous year. The NZ Herald
Hotels go into battle with Auckland’s mayor Phil Goff over new rate to pay for promoting the city Auckland hotel and motel owners are on a collision course with the city’s mayor Phil Goff over a targeted rate they say will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. The NZ Herald
Emirates credits superjumbo for success of mega flight from Auckland to Dubai Emirates has carried around 200,000 passengers on its non-stop service between Auckland and Dubai and says the success of the route was based on upgrading to the A380 superjumbo. The NZ Herald
Auckland Council freedom camping pilot splits opinion Auckland Council’s freedom camping pilot has divided public opinion in the Rodney District. Rodney Times
Tribal trust’s case for share of Auckland islands tourism thrown out by High Court Court throws out judicial review challenging the decision to grant a five-year concession to Fullers was unlawful. NBR (subscription)
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff promises crackdown after 43 per cent jump in Ateed staff travel costs Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has revealed details about a crackdown on travel, hospitality and gifts after the council’s promotion agency reported a 43 per cent jump in travel costs to more than $900,000 over two years. The NZ Herald[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
