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.

Former Westland mayor Durham Havill says he is forming a new private company to build a "class one highway" from Haast to Milford Sound via the Hollyford Valley.

Auckland Airport has released plans for a $2.4b 'airport of the future' that includes a sweeping crescent - shaped domestic and international terminal on one site.

A half-day tour of Auckland made me see the city with new eyes, but I do wonder how much of what visitors are told is exaggerated.

China Southern Airlines will be the first carrier to operate scheduled Boeing 787 Dreamliner services to New Zealand from Monday.

The growing number of Chinese visitors passing through Auckland Airport can now see flight arrival and departure information displayed in Chinese.

New rules in China could cut the number of tourists coming to New Zealand but those who do come should spend more.

New Zealand had its highest net gain of migrants in more than 10 years last month, as even fewer Kiwis left for Australia.

Tourism New Zealand says a big digital push is paying off with a surge in the number of referrals to industry businesses in the past year.

John Key defended New Zealand's "100 per cent pure New Zealand" tourism campaign in a speech to a tourism conference in Bali focusing on sustainable development.

The prospect of direct Emirates flights between Auckland and Dubai - which would become one of the world's longest commercial aviation routes.

The introduction of an Airbus A380 aircraft on Emirates' daily Dubai-Brisbane-Auckland route will boost annual capacity on the service by 100,000 seats.

South Island iwi Ngai Tahu almost doubled bottom-line profit from $68.9 million to $121.7 million after a sharemarket surge and farm revaluations.

In a mist-shrouded patch of native forest in the Mamaku Ranges near Rotorua, one eco-minded tourism venture is trying to create a slice of the predator-free dream.

Researchers at Westpac have painted a bright future for the tourism sector.

After being in the doldrums for most of the last 10 years, the tourism sector is being tipped to go through an upturn.

New Zealand gained a seasonally adjusted net 2,100 migrants last month, as fewer Kiwis cross the Tasman.

A tourism industry leader says the Government should set strict investment criteria around the size and timing of an America's Cup defence.

Tourist groups would target luxury travellers overseas if New Zealand wins the America's Cup.

The makers of a high-end Kiwi drink designed to combat jetlag and other health risks involved in flying have just closed a $2.4 million investment round.