The draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport has allocated around $7bn per year for three years to prioritise growth and productivity, says Transport Minister Simeon Brown.
The government has approved Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines extending their joint venture alliance for another five years.
Immigration New Zealand’s administration of its Accredited Employer Work Visa failed to address exploitation concerns, a review has found.
Unions representing workers at the New Zealand Customs Service say the country’s border security will be put at risk by the government’s proposed cuts to frontline services.
BARNZ labels the airport a “monopoly of monopolies” but the complaints about overspending are rejected by Auckland Airport.
The New Zealand Cruise Association says it has met with Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey to provide a “comprehensive overview” of the cruise sector.
The New Zealand Events Association says it has met with Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey to discuss the value of the industry to New Zealand.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has attended a viewing of the Pounamu Pathway at Māwhera Pā in Greymouth.
An independent ministerial advisory group led by Nelson Airport’s chief executive Mark Thompson has been set up to determine the future of KiwiRail’s Interislander service.
KiwiRail is in talks to cancel its contract with shipbuilder Hyundai for two new hybrid ferries.
Budget 2024 will be delivered on 30 May.
The department warns that its current visitor network “is not sustainable” and may have to shrink.
Stats NZ disestablishes its Data Ventures arm, taking out a vital piece of regional insight for the country’s tourism sector.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says he shares the tourism sector’s disappointment over the suspension of the Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates.
The government says it will scrap Auckland’s regional fuel tax on 30 June 2024.
The government is pushing forward with changes to the Resource Management Act to free up regulations deemed to be stifling economic growth.
The government is seeking feedback on additional focus areas within the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 Lessons.
The ministry says NZ lags behind many other countries in implementing charges on visitors to align tourism costs and benefits.
The minimum wage is increasing by 2% from $22.70 to $23.15 per hour from 1 April.
The government is taking steps under urgency to disestablish the Productivity Commission and the Productivity Act 2010.
The tourism and hospitality portfolio has missed out in Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s latest allocations of associate ministers and parliamentary under-secretaries.
Hunting and Fishing Minister Todd McClay says more can be done to align conservation and hunting to preserve habitats.
What should the priorities be for operators and industry groups for the year ahead?
Tourism New Zealand CEO René de Monchy says he has had “really good” meetings with the new tourism and hospitality minister.
The Tourism Data Leadership Group is seeking ongoing support from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy and a new industry partnership fund to help improve data in the sector.
The Tourism & Hospitality Minister says he’s “very impressed by the work of the RTOs and their DMPs” and wants to support sustainable growth in the sector.
There are fears the ending of the RUC exemption, as well as the stopping of the Clean Car Discount, will hurt the uptake of greener transport.
The coalition government has ditched the Auckland Light Rail project citing ballooning costs.
The government will set up an expert advisory group to provide it with independent advice on KiwiRail’s Interislander ferry service.
The new tourism and hospitality minister tells the Ticker his priorities for the portfolio.
The government and KiwiRail must protect visitor flows between the North and South Islands following the cancellation of the Interislander ferry upgrade, says Tourism Export Council of New Zealand.
The Interislander operator abandons its upgrade project after the govt rejects a funding request citing ballooning costs of $3bn.
Confidence is up but many business owners are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach to the new government, according to a post-election survey by Grant Thornton.
First-time Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel will take on tourism and hospitality and govt minister Matt Doocey.
More than $28m has been committed to the Tourism ITP but the future of that funding is now uncertain.
More than $28m has been committed to tourism’s workstream but ACT plans to stop all govt work on ITPs.
Both BEIA and NZEA say the appointment of the new tourism and hospitality minister presents a unique opportunity for the industry.
It’s a new era for tourism, with industry leaders like TIA’s Rebecca Ingram keen to work “with all the ministers that have responsibilities that intersect with our important industry”.
Matt Doocey’s appointment to the tourism and hospitality portfolio has pleased tourism sector stakeholders, even if his previous experience did not make him an obvious choice.
The inclusion of hospitality alongside tourism in a government portfolio is deserved recognition of a $14bn sector, say industry groups.
Greater Wellington Regional Council is encouraging new members of Parliament to use public transport between the airport and the Beehive.
The MP for Waimakariri will lead the renamed tourism and hospitality portfolio.
The new govt is expected to name its ministers today, with many in the sector hoping for a high-ranking appointment to the tourism portfolio.
The Tourism Data Leadership Group expects to call for registrations of interest before Christmas for the supply of new domestic tourism insight.
NZ must invest more in tourism and industry partnering with the government on funding could provide a way forward, says TIA chief executive Rebecca Ingram.
The industry must set priorities and work collaboratively with govt if it wants change, writes HCA’s James Doolan.
Waitaki Whitestone Geopark Trust is among five recipients of funding from the $14m programme.
McFadgen also believes current decarbonisation settings are hurting the automotive industry.
BCA’s briefing for incoming ministers will offer fresh thinking about the bus and coach sector, says the association’s CEO.
The CEO says she would be “very concerned” if the tourism portfolio was allocated to a smaller party.
