Dunedin & Otago

The Department of Conservation is seeking information about a shooting that killed a two-year-old sea lion on a Dunedin beach.

The Nelson-based cycle tour operator invests in new southern offerings “with lots of bookings already”.

Safer travel is the key message for around 30,000 rugby fans who are expected to converge on Dunedin for the All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe Cup game on Saturday.

Kiwi Park tuatara Merri is on the road to recovery after surgery at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital to remove a large mass under his jaw.

Cities hosting Football Ferns matches for the FIFA Women’s World Cup are seeing a decent boost in accommodation bookings, according to figures for Dunedin and Auckland.

Central Otago’s future as a tourism destination is looking positive with significant public and private investment over the next 2-3 years, according to Tourism Central Otago.

With Dunedin Stadium hosting today, the Ticker hears how the city has been preparing and hopes to benefit.

Operators across the host cities are reporting healthy bookings, particularly around match days.

The Matariki long weekend gave operators a welcome boost over the final stretch of the school holidays with decent weather also helping to fill tours and attract customers.

Central Otago District Council is seeking a building contractor for its proposed new Cromwell Memorial Hall, museum and events centre, with registrations of interest open for the project.

The acquisitive Auckland operator buys the former Heritage Collection Lake Resort and has another deal in the works.

A lack of transport in Dunedin for cruise passengers is tipping “money down the drain”, according to one prominent operator in the city.

Its flagship vessel, the MV Monarch, turns 70 this week, and alongside the celebrations the company is ready to chart the course for visitors.

An action group will target the proposed international airport development at Tarras as part of the Global Climate Strike today.

Events are gearing up for a return of crowds, with the Otago Rally re-instating its Octagon start and welcoming back spectators for its 2022 event on 8-10 April.

Highlands Motorsport Park will fund a range of mental health initiatives for local Cromwell school students.

International visitor spend in Dunedin may not fully recover to pre-Covid levels until 2029-2030 at the earliest, according to a new report.

Enterprise Dunedin has appointed of Louise Woodburn to the role of business events lead.

Tourism businesses are re-opening this week but getting viable customer numbers through will take longer.

Scenic Hotel Group is reopening its Dunedin City hotel after placing it in hibernation last year.

It’s now clear why SkyCity said ‘yes’ to the unsolicited offer from Distinction Hotel Group.

Tourism Waitaki employees have met with police following abusive comments on social media directed at its foreign-born staff.

However, the international operator says the off-market deal does not indicate any change in its overall strategy.

New Zealand International Science Festival and New Zealand Masters Games get funds to improve marketing power.

But tourism in regions like Hawke’s Bay and Northland has fared better, says the bank.

The five-star hotel offered 50 guest rooms, including three suites, and three conference rooms that could cater up to 250 guests.

A roof fire in the Anglican St Paul’s Cathedral in Dunedin has been contained and early reports suggest little damage from smoke and water.

Enterprise Dunedin’s city marketing manager says now is the time to reset the region’s offering.

The operator has spent $45m already, most of it to buy land near Tarras, south of Wanaka.

Mayor Jim Boult says limited health care capacity in the region would be a “significant” worry if an outbreak occurred.

“i-SITEs nationwide will be making some tough calls in the coming months,” says the RTO’s GM, Dylan Rushbrook.

Smaller regional tourism organisations are at risk of being lost because their current destination funding model is inadequate, says Tourism Waitaki general manager Margaret Munro.

Enterprise Dunedin has launched a new domestic marketing campaign, Dunedin, a pretty good Plan D.

 The Dunedin attraction opened its doors this morning after a period of consolidation and cutbacks.

Almost 70 roles are to go as the city grapples with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

RTNZ, Destination Queenstown, and the University of Otago are the latest to cancel or postpone industry events.

The South Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency has postponed its March 25 conference in Dunedin due to Covid-19.

The union representing rail workers says money from the Provincial Growth Fund could ensure the future of rail excursions to Middlemarch.

Otago’s Dunedin Prison will commence further restoration work in the coming months following a $100,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust.

Dunedin’s iconic Octagon and surrounding streets are to be closed to traffic for a trial period over summer when visitors flock to a number of events take place in the southern city.

Tourism Central Otago’s has appointed award-winning Quartz Reef winemaker Rudi Bauer to replace Dylan Rushbrook on its advisory board.

The enduring appeal of the All Blacks will boost hospitality and accommodation coffers in four cities next year.

Part of Dunedin’s Victoria Road carpark will be converted into a temporary caravan site in February 2020, as the council looks to cope with an influx of visitors expected in the city for several large events that month.

Wellington and Dunedin have painted contrasting tourism pictures for industry, according to each regions’ latest Quarterly Economic Monitor released by Infometrics.

The Otago Regional Council is developing a business case for a water ferry on Lake Wakatipu, following news this week Go Orange will cease its public scheduled ferry services come the end of February 2020.

Locals across Otago and Southland will be able to enjoy “mates” rates tourism deals this Saturday and Sunday in the region’s third Locals’ Weekend.

The rebranding reflects a growing trend in the national conference industry as more regional offices move from ‘convention bureau’ to ‘business events’ terminology.

A proposed boutique vineyard village at Cromwell will be a new wine tourism destination, according to its developers.

The annual competition to name a northern royal cam chick at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head is now underway.

Enterprise Dunedin plans to continue promoting Baldwin Street as part of the city’s mix of tourism product despite it losing the steepest street in the world title.