Hobbit fans and media have descended on New Zealand for an exclusive Hobbit tour and screening of the final film in the trilogy.

French tourists Caroline Claudon and Alexis Rebours chose Auckland to begin their working holiday but a clean break from big cities was what they hoped for.

Tourism New Zealand says it has scored a $170 million coup after more than 400 million viewers across China tuned in for the reality show "Dad, where are we going?".

A study of the superyacht industry has found visiting vessels generated more than $40 million for New Zealand last summer - which could rocket if facilities were expanded.

Tourist industry leaders have a short wishlist for the next John Key Government and topping it is having the Prime Minister continue in the tourism portfolio.

The tourism industry wants to outperform Government forecasts to cement its position as one of New Zealand's biggest export sectors.

New Zealand has scored a starring role in China's most popular reality TV show.

Total visitor spending in New Zealand grew by 11 per cent to $7.1 billion in the past year, driven by strong growth from the United States, Germany and China.

Tourist drivers are being quizzed and in some cases denied their hired vehicle as the industry looks at ways to improve safety.

New Zealand hotels are on the brink of "golden years" thanks to more international visitor spending but room rates have to increase to make top-end hotels more viable.

Overseas holiday arrivals hit a new high last month, reaching 64,000 - up 12.8 per cent on the same month a year ago.

A 20ha block of land at Hobsonville set aside for the marine industry will now be used for housing after a vote by Auckland councillors today.

Of the 83 million Chinese who travelled overseas last year, about 240,000 came here.

Spending by tourists is up 18 per cent in the past year as the tourism industry continues its recovery from tough times.

New Zealand's multimillion-dollar glacier tourism industry is potentially under threat by ongoing glacial retreat, according to a university researcher.

Facebook has advice for New Zealand travel firms: get a good app.

A new partnership between tourism agencies and the marine industry aims to double spending by wealthy superyacht owners and their crew to $190 million a year.

A successful Middle- earth marketing campaign appears to be driving a resurgence in Western visitors to New Zealand, according to a new report.

Auckland Airport is backing a push to attract food tourists to New Zealand from emerging markets.

A decade ago tourism revenue was growing at around 6 per cent a year. Average spending per visitor was close to $3000 and international tourism topped dairy as our top export earner.

Air New Zealand has launched a campaign to attract Japanese travellers by offering special fares 30 per cent below the standard lead-in fares.

Tourism chief Martin Snedden is fighting construction of a concrete cycleway running past the family holiday home even though it is considered a boon for tourists.

Tourists are spending about $1.7 billion more per year in New Zealand than previously believed.

An 'exporter's toolkit' has been launched to help sell New Zealand's 'unique' attributes to international audiences. So what does it mean for the 100% Pure campaign?

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.