Briefs

The government’s Draft New Zealand Rail Plan has proposed a new long-term funding framework for rail which would see Kiwirail’s network funding channelled through the National Land Transport Fund.

Christchurch City Council has approved the investment case for a $473m multi-use arena which mayor Lianne Dalziel said will be a game-changer for Christchurch and will help re-establish the region as New Zealand’s sporting and cultural capital.

NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that it is aiming to fully reopen State Highway 6 south of Hokitika to Makarora in Otago in time for Christmas.

A section of the Forgotten World Highway at Tunnel Hill, Aukopae, which has been closed since 15 October due to a large underslip, has reopened to one lane of traffic.

Waitaki District Council has appointed two part-time Responsible Freedom Camping Ambassadors to patrol the Ōamaru area and the Ahuriri and Waitaki Valleys over summer.

Wakatipu and Wānaka lake levels have continued to recede, allowing Queenstown Lakes District Council to continue clean-up efforts across the district and particularly in the Wānaka CBD.

Air New Zealand has opened a new regional lounge in Nelson.

Waikato Regional Council will not proceed with a prosecution following a wastewater spill into Lake Taupō in July. 

Activity between Ōtautahi Christchurch and Antarctica is already ramping up following the kick off of the summer season in early October.

The Go with Tourism job platform has launched in Northland.

Students and staff from Massey University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences will undertake a drone project to gather footage for a film revealing land use, environmental issues and human-environment relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The New Zealand economy is experiencing a period of slower, but still solid, economic growth, according to Treasury’s 2019 half year economic and fiscal update.

The government has announced $12bn of new investment, $8bn for specific capital projects.

The fin of a rare Hector’s dolphin on the eastern seaboard of the Coromandel Peninsula has been sighted.

The Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Alpine Club are celebrating 30 years of managing huts together in the West Matukituki Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park.

The ASB Classic has been named as the best event in the world for its tier at the annual WTA Awards

Immigration New Zealand’s passport processing systems experienced an outage on Tuesday causing massive delays to passenger processing times.

The Harvest Lodge Motel in Havelock North has been sold to well-known local property investor Graeme Fowler.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton will delay the release of the report into tourism in the wake of the events at Whakaari/White Island.

Confidence in Ruapehu tourism is growing after a big year for the region, Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron said following the the third annual Visit Ruapehu Industry Forum last week.

Police have named the man who died after falling on the Routeburn track on Friday 6 December.

Greater Wellington Regional Council has made a business case to the tune of $415m for the delivery of the new trains and associated network improvements in the face of accelerated regional population growth. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council is considering an entirely new process to influence Queenstown Airport Corporation’s  Statement of Intent outcomes over the district’s airports.

Adventure Capital have launched new guided e-bike tours of Rangitoto and Motutapu in Auckland.

Quality over quantity has aided growth in international student enrolments in universities and the regions, according to education minister Chris Hipkins.

Geologist and researcher Margaret Bradshaw has been honoured at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch for her achievements in the field of Antarctic science.

Stewart Island/Rakiura’s dark sky accreditation has played a key part in visitor growth, with Great South reporting a 17% increase in visitor numbers on Stewart Island/Rakiura from April to September 2019,

Fullers360 will introduce summer season pricing on its Waiheke, Motutapu and Rangitoto ferry routes.

Work has begun to create a more resilient fuel network supporting airfield developments at Auckland Airport.

The Wonderland exhibition is now open for the summer season at Te Papa in Wellington.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is calling for registrations of interest for two of its tourism spending datasets.

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s harbour master Marty Black is advising boats to stay off lakes and rivers as lake levels remain high, with strong winds adding further risk to the region.

Cruise Lines International Association Australasia is welcoming the government’s decision to adopt the International Maritime Organization MARPOL Annex VI emissions requirements.

Air New Zealand was crowned the winner in the sustainable business leadership category at the Deloitte Top 200 awards.

Europcar Mobility Group NZ will offer its a low emission Electric Day Pass electric vehicle rental and share service for travellers around Auckland City, and to and from Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch airports.

Stargazing at Lake Tekapo and sledging down the Kaituna River were named in Flight Centre’s 50 Travel Experiences for 2020.

Corrosion of landing gear locking springs was the cause of equipment failure that led to a diverted emergency landing, says the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

Cardrona Alpine Resort near Wanaka has postponed its summer opening after a dump of snow this week.

Bigger stands as well a new products and regional highlights are expected at next year’s CINZ MEETINGS run by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand.

WellingtonNZ has launched a new website driven by visual and story-telling content that suggests further relevant content as visitors navigate the site.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has entered into a partnership with international risk advisor Marsh New Zealand.

US comedian Stephen Colbert’s week-long coverage of his trip to New Zealand drove a spike in Google searches, says Tourism New Zealand.

Wellington Airport and Vodafone have partnered to allow travellers a chance to try 5G for free.

Rotorua’s i-SITEs are the first in the country to assign staff members as responsible camping ambassadors, says Destination Rotorua.

Scenic flights operator Wanaka Helicopters has won the Supreme Award at the Ignite Wanaka Business Awards.

New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty has been announced as the new title sponsor of the Hawke’s Bay and Queenstown international marathons.

Young industry professionals are converging on the Grand Millennium Auckland today for the Young Tourism Export Council of New Zealand’s annual summit.

Auckland Airport has launched new automated pre-security e-gates at its international terminal.

Building consents for new hotels, motels and other short-term accommodation including alterations or additions grew to 533 for the year to October 2019, up 29% on the previous 12 months.

Air New Zealand is joining with gym Les Mills to offer a series of inflight wellness exercises to airline passengers.