Southland & Stewart Island

The Department of Conservation says it is continuing cleanup work on land in Southland and Otago affected by floods last week.

Milford sound tourism businesses are urging operators around the country to get behind a new effort to show appreciation for healthcare workers.

The Department of Conservation is upgrading one of Rakiura Stewart Island’s most popular viewing spots with a new platform and safety barrier.

Invercargill City Council has appointed architects to design a new enclosure for its tuatara as part of the city’s museum redevelopment.

Invercargill Airport has appointed Southland local Todd Dallard its new project manager.

DOC also aims to elevate Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track to Great Walk status in October, making it the 11th such experience.

Invercargill City Council has selected the architectural firms responsible for developing the city’s new museum.

The Department of Conservation has closed Te Papanui Conservation Park near Dunedin due to the fire risk in the area, with further warnings in place for Otago, parts of Southland, and Canterbury.

Great South has launched an online survey seeking community feedback from residents about their views on tourism.

SIT research manager Dr Sally Bodkin-Allen says some delegates have chosen to extend their visit to explore the south.

Invercargill’s 4.5-star The Langlands Hotel has been officially opened.

Invercargill Airport Limited has picked up the Community Engagement Initiative of the Year at the 2021 New Zealand Airport Awards.

Southland and Nelson-Marlborough are welcoming back international students after more than two and a half years.

Rotorua and Invercargill will host the next two Tourism Export Council of New Zealand annual conferences.

Great South has appointed Chami Abeysinghe its new chief executive to fill the vacancy left by the sudden death of Graham Budd.

A “game-changing” project to investigate how to rid pests and predators from Rakiura/Stewart Island will receive $2.8m over four years.

A 58-metre walk on Rakiura, Stewart Island has been renamed in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Department of Conservation is consulting with tourism operators, iwi, community and landowners to tackle pest management on Ulva Island.

Invercargill is on track to be a “highly desirable city to visit and settle down in”, according to the group behind a drive to rejuvenate the city and the wider Southland region.

Great South has contracted Bluff Community Board member Tammi Topi to lead the Bluff Motupōhue 2020 Tourism Master Plan.

Pure Salt NZ has applied for a permit to operate commercial marine mammal viewing at Fiordland, Foveaux Strait, and Stewart Island.

‘Overseas’ destinations around the country are continuing to see large numbers of visitors seeking a taste of exoticism, seclusion and yesteryear, according to local operators.

Applications for the third and final round of the Southern Lakes Regional Events Fund are now open for events held May 2022 to February 2023.

Southland could become a hotbed of food activity under new plans to transform the regional home of Bluff Oysters into a food tourism mecca.

The Southland A&P Show on 5 March 2022 has been cancelled due to uncertainty around the new Covid-19 Protection Framework.

Almost all visitors who went last summer say they intend to return, so what did they like?

Southland’s 2022 Burt Munro Challenge has been cancelled due to the pandemic and uncertainty around the new Covid-19 Protection Framework.

Invercargill’s Bill Richardson Transport World has raised $42,000 for charity KidsCan to help support vulnerable young New Zealanders and their families.

Oban-based boat tour and water taxi services firm Rakuira Charters is applying for permission to add another commercial vessel for the viewing of marine mammals around Stewart Island.

Great South has allocated more than $550,000 this year from the government’s Regional Event Fund for events in Southland and Fiordland.

Visit Fiordland and Visit Southland have formed their own international marketing alliance, to be promoted as ‘Great South’.

Great South has opened applications for round two of its Regional Events Fund

Go Bus has acquired Invercargill-based McDermott Coachlines.

A turbocharged destination plan, long-term marketing campaigns and city developments are expected to support tourism to Southland and Fiordland.

The result follows a review of air traffic services provided at seven regional airports with reduced traffic volumes.

Sales of air tickets for the Invercargill-Auckland jet service rose on the back of a joint marketing campaign reboot by Great South and Air New Zealand.

“We don’t see a bounce-back in 2022,” says the operator’s CEO, Tim Hunter.

Inaugural country music festival to be held 29 May until 6 June in Gore.

Weekend pricing has also been introduced for some high-use DOC huts.

Great South’s regional tourism organisations Visit Southland and Visit Fiordland have launched their latest Southland campaign.

Destination Fiordland becomes part of economic development agency Great South from today, 1 April 2021.

The tourism sector will be the weak link in the recovery of Southland, according to an economic analysis of the region.

Air New Zealand is adding another charter flight between Auckland and Invercargill for the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival on 22 May.

A new event to support Southland’s hospitality and accommodation sector and boost the region’s reputation as a food and beverage destination will run from 1 April to 16 May 2021.

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

The estimated cost of the redevelopment was $165m and is a key project in the Southland Regional Development Strategy Action Plan.

A central tourism hub would contain a variety of visitor attractions as well as the ferry link to Rakiura Stewart Island.

Great South is holding two free one-day information sessions in Te Anau this month for those wanting work in hospitality and tourism over the summer.

The Department of Conservation has completed its planned Himalayan tahr control operations for 2020.

The payouts included 19 business and commercial claims.