The driving force behind the economic development of the Cardrona Valley, John Lee has today been appointed a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Visitors from China led a jump in Asian arrivals through Auckland International Airport in November, confirming government figures that show New Zealand is becoming a more popular destination as airlines add capacity.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) has been granted Department of Conservation approval to continue operating the Whakapapa Ski field on Mt Ruapehu.

Our economy appears to be humming along, with latest GDP stats showing a 0.9 percent lift in economic activity.

Auckland Airport advises holiday-goers travelling over summer to arrive at the airport an additional 30 minutes earlier to avoid congestion.

Tourism Industry Association New Zealand chief executive Chris Roberts said this summer was likely to break tourism records.

Air New Zealand wants speed up the check-in process with futuristic bag drop.

The City of Sails was ranked third behind Brisbane and Queenstown, for the Top Destinations on the Rise in the South Pacific.

Airline says it is "smoothing out" processes to ensure its new regional flights run on time after complaints of delays.

Lord of the Rings director putting millions of dollars of his own money into plan to build a movie museum and convention centre in Wellington.

The South Island is in for a $150 million boost from a surge in air travel this summer.

Tourists setting off from Auckland on one of the world's top scenic rail journeys will have to check in at a kiosk fashioned from converted shipping containers from December 21.

In New Zealand, where cows outnumber people, leaping off a bridge tethered only by a rubber band has better economic prospects than selling milk.

A super-sized cruise ship with a 1350 seat theatre, surfing simulators, an ice skating rink and a rock climbing wall has arrived in Auckland.

Former All Blacks skipper reveals primal fear while sharing flight with the Herald: "I don't think a horse will enjoy a big lump like me on it."

Hotel companies use mock rooms to fine-tune their designs and decide whether existing blueprints are practical and efficient.

A tourism app set to launch this week has been designed to help tourism operators directly target visitors planning the next stage of their itinerary.

Luxury cruise, visiting the Wonders of the World and seeing the Northern Lights top options in new survey.

The ship has 10 pools and whirlpools, 15 bars and restaurants, a surf simulator and a rock climbing wall.

Lax service and acute labour shortages are a threat to New Zealand's booming tourism sector, says an industry body.

Their careers over, the kids flown, older people are joining the backpacker trail. Joanna Mathers reports.

Auckland's busiest summer of events helped raise tourism expenditure by 15 per cent.

Plans for 9.8km gondola - the longest in Australasia - from Queenstown's Remarkables Park to the iconic Remarkables mountain range.

The installation of a suspended viewing cube on Skyline Queenstown's viewing deck has been put back until next winter.

Tokyo's Hato Bus is proving to be one of the bright lights in Japan's tourism industry.