An Auckland inner city café owner has hit back at a scathing column in the NZ Herald on the cost of everyday articles in NZ, saying the author is living in a world of 20 years ago.

Annual visitor arrivals to New Zealand hit the 2.5 million mark last month for the first time, says Statistics NZ. But immigration numbers have been unexpectedly weak.

Former All Black Justin Marshall agrees with rugby correspondent Peter Bills that New Zealand is an expensive country.

There was I thinking you Kiwis were a friendly, welcoming bunch and I get banished to Oz for daring to question NZ's sky-high prices.

Former All Black halfback Justin Marshall agrees with Peter Bills that New Zealand has become an expensive place for tourists.

Many popular swimming spots contain high levels of bacteria that cause diarrhoea or infection, a new report shows.

The Government's latest announcement on Queen's Wharf has the support of Auckland's regional and city council.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully, along with hundreds of Herald readers, has weighed in on the debate about whether New Zealand is ripping off tourists, which was sparked by today's column by English writer

Airlines

Auckland Airport second runway delayed again

15 Jul 09:45 PM

Auckland Airport has delayed construction of its new runway for a second time, a move it says will save the company $12m.

Queensland theme park operators are being tipped as possible bidders for south Auckland's Rainbow's End.

Budget airline Jetstar says new Australia - Queenstown flights will begin in December.

The World Cup has had a positive spin-off for South African society.

The challenge is there for Brazil to host a great World Cup finals in four years time.

A 10pc fall in the number of nights New Zealanders spent in short term commercial accommodation in May, led to an overall 6pc fall in total guest nights.

Price gouging and lack of spending on Fiji's infrastructure could see it reined in by increasingly popular neighbours, travel writers warn.