Tourism Stories

Kiwi Stories

Tourism stories

Piha domain to reopen for summer despite council recommendations

The move secures jobs and keeps a key Piha business open, even as council staff warn flooding could make the site unsafe in future.

By Ross McNaughton • 4 min read • Last week

Broadband

Suspected copper thieves cause major internet outage in Bay of Islands

The latest disruption left 750 homes and businesses unable to take electronic payments, deepening pain for Bay of Islands operators after a slow winter.

By Peter de Graaf • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Small Business

How has the new CRL affected Auckland hospo? It's a mixed bag

Hospitality around Auckland's new rail stations is seeing only modest gains so far, with some cafes busier and others still waiting for a real lift.

By Serena Solomon • 5 min read • Last week

Real estate

Mackenzie house values soar as demand continues

Residential and commercial owners face higher rates bills after the district's rateable value climbed to NZD $8.353 billion on strong demand.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Last week

Construction

Harkness AI tops 50 clients as revenue surges in NZ

Bootstrapped and profitable, the Christchurch startup's rapid growth suggests Kiwi firms are paying for practical AI help rather than standalone tools.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 5 days ago

Buy Now Pay Later

Afterpay expands to NZ ticketing as sport spending surges

Fans are turning to buy now, pay later to secure scarce seats, as entertainment orders on the platform jumped 60% year on year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • This month

Wildfire

FENZ responding to vegetation fire on Walter Peak, smoke visible from Queenstown

Residents in Queenstown have been told to close doors and windows as smoke from a fast-moving fire spreads across Lake Wakatipu.

By RNZ • 2 min read • This month

Real estate

New Zealand house values fall for sixth month in September

Buyers still have the upper hand as the national Home Value Index slipped 0.3% in September, leaving values 1.3% below a year earlier.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • This month

Opinion

Mount businesses need strong summer after landslide hits trade

Trade remains below last year, but Mount businesses are seeing a lift in foot traffic and hope a strong summer will aid recovery after the landslide.

By Ayla Yeoman • 3 min read • Last week

Small Business

'Anything new is good': Picton businesses back central Blenheim revamp

Picton traders say the temporary disruption of a streetscape upgrade was worth it, after their own revamp boosted seating, safety and summer trade.

By Kira Carrington • 3 min read • This month

Risk & Compliance

Tauranga ratepayers group slams secrecy around Marty Grenfell's resignation

Residents say secrecy over the council chief executive's exit leaves ratepayers facing unanswered questions over any payout after the Mount landslide review.

By Ellen O'Dwyer • 2 min read • This month

Local Government

Waimārama Beach proposal would ban cars and utes, require ATV permits

Concerns over safety and dune damage could see full vehicle bans at Waimārama Beach, with permits reserved for ATVs and exempt users.

By Linda Hall • 5 min read • Last month

Supply Chain

Methven kept in the dark on CBD lighting project

Frustration is mounting in Methven after EA Networks admitted its revised lighting timetable was not communicated clearly to businesses and residents.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Last month

Architecture

Rotorua Museum construction wraps up a decade after quake closure

Visitors must wait another two years, even after the long-delayed Rotorua Museum build was finished on time and under budget.

By Mathew Nash • 3 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Tourism stories

Data sovereignty

Julia to open Paris forum on fragmented AI in travel

Travel leaders in Paris will test whether AI tools can work across rival regional systems as Europe's adoption gap widens.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week

Property Technology

Homhero appoints Pete Smith to board as growth nears

The appointment gives the Gold Coast software group direct operator insight as it nears its 10th year and passes USD $3 billion in bookings.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • This month

Fintech

Cook Islands trust registrations hit record amid US demand

Record registrations underscore the Cook Islands' growing reliance on US-backed trust business, even as local staffing gaps widen.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Tourism stories

Customer Experience

AirBorneo taps The XMakers to shape brand experience

The consultancy will help the Sarawak state-owned airline align its visual identity, onboard sensory cues and passenger touchpoints as it expands regionally.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • Last week