Stories by Tess Brunton

New Zealand firefighters describe days turning into night and swamps on fire while they were battling the wildfires. Audio

Expectations were high ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup, and tourism businesses say the tournament has definitely exceeded them. Audio

Dunedin football fans are fizzing ahead of hosting the Football Ferns' crucial showdown against Switzerland this Sunday. Audio

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, the tourism industry remains optimistic that many Kiwis will still hit the road this summer.

Tourism operators say the winter school holidays have brought a much welcome boon to numbers during a traditionally quieter season. Audio

Christchurch Hospital's emergency department is under resourced and under pressure, and it is impacting patient care, the nurses union says.

Southland has unveiled a bright vision for its future regardless of whether Tiwai Point aluminium smelter closes or not.

Queenstown's multi-million dollar revamped streets were officially opened with protesters present, but not the prime minister.

The government is being urged to pitch in to help communities fund their visions for managing their destinations.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a grilling by University of Otago students during his trip to Ōtepoti on Friday.

Trampers and tourism businesses were yet again disappointed, as DOC's Great Walks booking system had another false start.

A small West Coast community says fully reopening the Heaphy Track will breathe fresh life back into their town.

Tourism businesses in cyclone-hit regions say the welcome mat is out, but not enough people have come in.

Pre-Covid-19, there were more than 80 i-SITEs dotted around the country, but the pandemic hit them hard, and not all survived. But tourism leaders say they're still important.

Gore residents say they're sick of childish behaviour from their elected representatives, as councillors try to oust their mayor. Audio

More than 1500 travel delegates are in Christchurch for the country's biggest tourism business event.

The national airline is planning a multibillion-dollar investment in its fleet, capacity and marketing over the next five years.

More than 1500 travel delegates from around the world are descending on Ōtautahi for the country's biggest tourism business event.

Central Otago residents say they are tired of feeling unnerved and being constantly on alert with wild pigs running amok around St Bathans.

Summer tourist numbers have bounced back to about half of what they were before Covid-19 as Aotearoa marked the first summer with the border back open.

Otago landowners are fighting to stop their properties from being rezoned, saying tougher flood hazard rules could make them uninsurable and unsellable.

The government has forked out an extra $10 million for the new Dunedin Hospital rebuild just months after making controversial cuts, but has ruled out further large redesigns.

As cyclone-hit communities rebuild their lives, pests have been making the most of the chaos, destruction and abandoned homes.

More Queenstown businesses are looking to buy accommodation for their staff, with the rental shortage causing some employees to leave before their first day.

People in Queenstown are resorting to living in cars, tents, hostels and couch surfing as rentals are in very short supply. Audio