Conservation Minister is an enviable job. As lord of the estate you get to be helicoptered into grand and lovely parts of the country to meet good people, release endangered species and talk sense in defence of pesticides.
Plans for a controversial tunnel between Queenstown and Milford Sound have been rejected by Conservation Minister Nick Smith.
It is the holy grail of NZ tourism: easing the path to Milford Sound for domestic and international tourists without destroying its scenery, ecological value and remoteness.
A group of young tourists were lucky to escape a raging Nelson river this morning when a flash flood swept away two vans they were sleeping in.
West Coasters hit by a deluge of heavy rain and thunderstorms can expect little relief in coming weeks, forecasters say.
A group of trampers rescued near Nelson are the latest people affected by huge winds, heavy rain, and unseasonable snow that has pounded the South Island.
After being stuck in flooded conditions for an extra night, 120 Milford Track trampers arrived in Milford Sound yesterday exhausted, unshowered, but upbeat.
Queenstown has beaten out the Coromandel as New Zealanders' favourite holiday spot at home and Australia is our preferred overseas destination.
An urgent rescue operation was in progress last night after up to eight cars were stranded by slips in the remote Buller Gorge.
The terrible weather which pounded the South Island today and saw a vital bridge washed away is set to ease tomorrow, but not before one more lashing.
A handful of flights scheduled to land at Wellington Airport this afternoon have been cancelled or diverted as high winds batter the capital.
Heavy rain, which has already forced the closure of Fiordland's Milford Track, will make its way up the South Island tomorrow, accompanied in places by powerful winds.
Rescue staff are renewing calls for trampers to carry emergency beacons after the partner of a wounded woman descended Mitre Peak and kayaked back to Milford village to raise the alarm.
State Highway 94, the Milford road, will reopen today after being closed for three days because of the risk of rock falls in an area high above the western entrance to the Homer Tunnel.
Pamela Wade zigzags her way around Milford Track's textured bush, bright prairies and breathtaking views.
Search teams will be back out this morning looking for a fishing vessel which is missing off the coast of Fiordland.
Dedicated pioneers created Fiordland's colourful heritage in a hostile environment, writes Paul Rush.
Elizabeth Binning and her family encounter the great outdoors in the south.
Hard times haven't deterred auction-goers from putting up their hands to buy art, reports Lesley Springall
With its sheer cliff faces, rainforest-clad valley floor, countless waterfalls and razor-tipped mountains, Fiordland's Milford Sound is a sight to behold from any angle.
Kayaking on the sound allows visitors to explore independently, finds Joe Dodgshun.
Bryce Johns marvels at the beauty of Fiordland's triple crown.