Auckland

Tourist bookings for the America’s Cup matches in Auckland starting this week have returned to normal levels, says Heletranz co-owner Sofia Ambler.

The agency has invested $918k to create a unique event for the regatta.

Auckland’s Pasifika Festival has been postponed following the Government’s announcement that Auckland will remain in Covid-19 alert level 2 until at least Friday 12 March.

SkyCity Entertainment Group has re-opened its Auckland casino and facilities.

Auckland’s Sky Tower will light up purple tonight for this year’s International Women’s Day in support of diversity and inclusion in New Zealand.

The rest of New Zealand has moved to Covid-19 alert level 1.

Auckland saw occupancy rebound last week from the city’s first Covid-19 alert level lockdown of the year, according to figures from STR.

Waiheke Island’s Carey Bay is for sale with the development potential of a golf course, resort, or an eco-tourism venture, says property agent Bayleys.

Event organisers up and down the country have been forced to cancel, postpone or scramble to make changes.

Tourism businesses like TIME Unlimited had a rare busy week ahead leading up to the America’s Cup finals.

For the second year in a row, one of the city’s flagship events is pulled because of Covid.

The rest of New Zealand has shifted to Covid-19 alert level 2 following the latest community cases.

Northland Inc has partnered with Auckland Unlimited to deliver a campaign through AA promoting travel to the two regions.

Event Hospitality & Entertainment has opened its Rydges Formosa Golf Resort in Auckland.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will close a main arterial route to Auckland Airport for safety improvements and road widening.

A new event aimed at enlivening the on-land viewing experience of the America’s Cup will be held in Devonport.

New mitigation measures at the Pullman Auckland have been introduced but the cause of three infections there is still unknown.

Tourism businesses in the region say it will take time for bookings to return.

Businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 alert level shifts can today apply for the government’s Resurgence Support Payment.

The Government will review Auckland’s Covid-19 alert level 2 today with a decision to be announced by prime minister Jacinda Ardern at 3pm.

The Auckland Lantern Festival has been postponed to 4-7 March 2021, due to the region being in Covid-19 alert level 2.

The Ōmanawanui and the Puriri Ridge tracks in the Waitākere Ranges have reopened after being upgraded to help combat the spread of kauri dieback.

“NZ is low density touristed country but that doesn’t fit the narrative that’s out there at the moment,” says Auckland Airport’s CEO.

SkyCity’s online gaming business is booming, with the operator’s new boss bringing a ton of experience in the field.

Parliament has passed a new Resurgence Support Payment available to eligible businesses affected by Auckland’s latest Covid-19 lockdown and level 2.

Auckland’s Pride director Max Tweedie is still optimistic about Pride March and Pride Party going ahead on the 27 February.

Auckland Airport falls into the red but Queenstown and Christchurch manage to stay in the black – but only just.

The operator says its revenue was dragged down by weaker tourism-related business during the pandemic.

The rest of New Zealand has shifted to Covid-19 alert level 1.

The Government must immediately release its reports into how Covid infected three people at the Pullman Auckland, says National’s Covid response spokesperson, Chris Bishop.

A “horrid” year saw average hotel occupancy across the group plummet to 39%.

However, the exact causes of the three recent infections at the facility remain unknown.

Destination Queenstown has paused its summer marketing campaign in the Auckland market due to Covid-19 alert level 3 restrictions, says DQ interim chief executive Ann Lockhart.

A drop of 45% in total aircraft traffic has prompted Auckland Airport to bring forward its three-year plan to renew the pavement across its airfield.

Regional operators are being cut-off by Auckland as a visitor source and a transit point for those further afield.

Singapore Airlines has delivered the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to New Zealand.

Businesses inside Auckland’s Covid-19 alert level 3 boundary can register online for travel documents.

Auckland’s $350m downtown development programme has reached a significant milestone; finishing the seismic strengthening of Quay Street’s historic seawall.

Tourism businesses suffer mass cancellations again after Auckland shifts back to Covid-19 alert level 3.

Australia has also suspended quarantine-free travel from NZ until at least midnight Wednesday.

The rest of NZ shifts to level 2 after three Auckland cases, two of whom recently visited Taranaki attractions.

The message to Aucklanders to take more care of kauri forests appears to be hitting the mark, with non-compliant behaviour trending down across the region this summer.

Auckland Airport has partnered with Rako Science to deploy a non-invasive, fast-turnaround, accurate saliva test for Covid-19.

There would be two return services on weekdays to get commuters to Papakura in time for the start of the workday.

Auckland’s annual four-day Lantern Festival celebrating Chinese New Year will be ticketed this year and relocated to the city’s waterfront.

Hotel Grand Chancellor’s lean operations have kept the group in the black during the pandemic, says the company’s New Zealand manager, Frank Delli Cicchi.

There have not been any commercial operators breaking any rules to take spectators on the water to watch America’s Cup racing, says Maritime NZ

SkyCity Auckland will be hosting a free ’90s themed Federal Street Party this evening to celebrate 25 years in operation.

The trams will return to the waterfront this Waitangi Weekend and will be in action over the remainder of the 36th America’s Cup and beyond.

Under Hayward’s watch, ACB had secured approximately $275m worth of business events for Auckland.