They have superyachts, choppers and personal staff at their disposal - and New Zealand tops their list as a holiday destination. Ultra-wealthy travellers.

The reason the Australian national airline is in such a deep funk comes down to the failure of its own business strategy and tactical manoeuvring, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Footage of the arrival of the first direct flight from Guangzhou into the South Island this week. 228 Chinese visitors were flown here to celebrate Chinese New Year and marked the first time a Dreamliner has flown commercially to Christchurch, highlighting the increasing numbers of Chinese visitors choosing the South Island over the north.

Well-known NZ actors Craig Hall and Sara Wiseman have been recruited by Tourism Western Australia in a domestic marketing campaign to promote the region to the rest of the country.

New Chinese regulations have prompted a drop-off in tourists coming to NZ, though the local industry says visitors will get a better experience.

Tourists are arriving in record numbers but the high New Zealand dollar is crimping spending.

A Netherlands-based travel agent has done what Queenstown's council would not - offered $1400 to two tourists whose car was crushed by a tree in the town.

More protests possible as trust tries to get tourist vessels to pay for access to Hole in the Rock.

Air NZ will form a deep alliance with Singapore Airlines, resuming flights to the southeast Asian country and gaining access to the Singaporean carrier's huge regional market.

Whatever you do, never, ever attempt to feed a moa, warns Toby Manhire. The domesticated varieties might only bite you. The feral roadside moa, however, can be deadly.

A blockade at the entrance to Hole in the Rock is being considered as part of a long-running row over money and mana.

New Zealand's inbound migration remained elevated in November as new migrants kept arriving and fewer locals drifted across the Tasman.

Queenstown has emerged as an international heavyweight in the luxury ski resort property market, with new research showing property price growth in the tourist town outstripping traditional high-flying destinations in Europe and the US.

Vandals have targeted the Beaumont section of the new Clutha Gold Trail, causing thousands of dollars' damage.

Our latest batch of citizens are embracing the multicultural nature of the country they now call home.

Market changing, report finds, and while numbers are growing future is in visitors who want to stay longer.

Tourism firms find it up to 15 per cent more difficult finding staff than the New Zealand average, according to a government report.

Signs of higher-spending visitors and longer trips after Chinese travel sellers told to offer better quality packages.

New Zealand needs tourists who spend more money, rather than just more people through the airport gates, Prime Minister John Key says.

The thriving performing arts side of Auckland's $1.31 billion arts and culture economy is all but forgotten, writes Brian Rudman.

Middle-earth mania, strong marketing campaigns and economic growth are reasons for an increase in tourists from Asia and the Americas, says a new survey.