Southern district police commander Superintendent made the order in a staff "advisory bulletin'' on March 7, an Official Information Act request has revealed.

Five councils - Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Queenstown and Christchurch - will be affected by new policy released by the Government this afternoon.

Aucklanders are expected to buy some of the six new $2 million-$2.7 million holiday homes being marketed by the Millbrook Resort near Queenstown.

2017 British & Irish Lions tour just one of the major events which will likely see tourists stung by a "spike" in hotel prices, a Government-commissioned report warns.

After 18 months of legal wrangling, the trial has begun of two men and a woman in relation to an alleged kidnapping in Queenstown in 2014.

A two-bedroom state house in Queenstown has sold for $665,500 at auction today.

Staying at Kinross Cottages is like taking a step back in time, only it's comfortable and luxurious.

Winter is coming. Late on Monday night, NZSki fired up its 217 snow guns at Coronet Peak for the first time this year when temperatures dropped to -7degC.

One day I hope to recite a story which explains why life as a sports writer can be so rewarding.

A young driver who nodded off and tragically killed another has been ordered to pay the devastated family $10,000 in a token gesture for his carelessness.

An American tourist who called police last night to say she was lost near a walking track, has been found.

Driver of Hertz passenger van that crashed and killed an Indian tourist admits he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

Entry-level property advertised for $755,000 - 68 per cent higher than the country's median house price.

Bike the 12km eastwards through picturequese farmland to the homestead at Walter Peak Station (about an hour).

Shandelle Battersby discovers a magic spot, just a few minutes out of Queenstown.

Mortgage interests over Queenstown's luxury Hilton Hotel have been sold in an $80.5 million deal involving Chinese businesses.

Following the relaxing of travel and trade relations with the United States, the accommodation game is starting to heat up in Cuba.

A comfy and spacious room on the sixth floor of seven, with a balcony offering views of the central third floor courtyard, lakefront and Remarkables mountain range still sporting a dusting of snow.

The Wakatipu Basin is a walker's paradise, offering a shed-load of stunning views.

Tickets for the new service will be going on sale as early as next week.

New Zealand guest nights rose in November for the 20th month in a row.

Australian slipped on concrete and struck his head in Queenstown.

An Indian tourist must pay $1200 before she leaves the country and another $1800 in monthly instalments after seriously injuring two motorcyclists in a crash.

Police would like to speak to this man, or anyone who knows him, in relation to a break in at a Queenstown home.

A Chinese driver has been convicted and ordered to pay immediately to a motorcyclist he hit with his rental car near Wanaka, causing serious injuries.

A man has suffered head injuries after being thrown from his vehicle in an early morning police chase in Queenstown.

Two paragliders carrying customers collided in mid-air above Queenstown yesterday before crashing into trees.

Koko Black, a boutique chocolate company from Australia, opened its first offshore chocolate salon in Queenstown late last year. Owner and founder Shane Yardley chose the picturesque location for a number of reasons.

NZTA is seeking funding to help provide cellphone coverage along the Milford road so dangerous drivers and other hazards can be reported to police.