Tourism Ticker
The Business of Tourism
 
Tourism Ticker
The Business of Tourism

Tourism Ticker

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Tuesday 05 March 2024
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Attractions

Otago exhibition attracts 30k visitors 12th May 2023

Otago exhibition attracts 30k visitors

Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga’s Exhibition has attracted more than 30,000 visitors since it opened in December.


Wai Ariki potential “game changer” for Rotorua – developer 10th May 2023 /

Wai Ariki potential “game changer” for Rotorua – developer

The opening of Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is being hailed as a potential “game changer” for Rotorua’s economy and tourism sector.


Kāpiti gallery redevelopment nears completion 21st April 2023 /

Kāpiti gallery redevelopment nears completion

The final touches will soon be put on the new purpose-built art centre at Mahara Gallery in Waikanae.


Napier attraction to reopen after upgrades 20th April 2023 /

Napier attraction to reopen after upgrades

Napier’s Open Spa will reopen to the public on 15 May following upgrades to facilities, lighting, security, and staff recruitment.


Hamilton attractions connected at entry 3rd April 2023 /

Hamilton attractions connected at entry

A shared entranceway between Hamilton Zoo and the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is now open to visitors.


Partner ‘who might invest’ mooted for Blue Penguin attraction 29th March 2023

Partner ‘who might invest’ mooted for Blue Penguin attraction

With Tourism Waitaki ending, the local council is considering bringing in an operator to help grow its popular attraction.


All Blacks Experience to offer Japanese, Chinese subtitles for visitors 28th March 2023 /

All Blacks Experience to offer Japanese, Chinese subtitles for visitors

The All Blacks Experience at SkyCity Auckland is introducing Japanese and Chinese subtitles to provide a more immersive experience and a wider appeal to foreign visitors.


Queenstown upgrades for heritage stories 23rd March 2023 /

Queenstown upgrades for heritage stories

Queenstown’s town centre now tells more of the story behind its history in a narrative woven through paving and light poles around the area.


Hamilton attractions receive funding boost 21st March 2023 /

Hamilton attractions receive funding boost

Hamilton City Council has received $14.6m in government funding for eight projects and services, including improvements to Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park and other safety measures at key visitor destinations.


Iconic Taranaki bridge closes for repairs 21st March 2023 /

Iconic Taranaki bridge closes for repairs

New Plymouth’s 85-year-old Poet’s Bridge at Pukekura Park is receiving a makeover to prepare it for the next generation of visitors.


Restored steam engine a highlight for attraction 23rd January 2023 /

Restored steam engine a highlight for attraction

Bay of Islands Vintage Railway will unveil its fully-restored steam train over the upcoming Anniversary Weekend.


Cultural attraction opens on West Coast 12th December 2022 /

Cultural attraction opens on West Coast

A new cultural and heritage attraction near Fox Glacier and the Wekeka township is now open to visitors.


Historic battle site reopens after $1.8m restoration 17th October 2022 /

Historic battle site reopens after $1.8m restoration

Historic battle site Te Pakanga o Ōhaeawai near Kaikohe in Northland has opened to the public after a $1.79m restoration project.


West Coast Pounamu Pathway hub to seek consent 20th September 2022 /

West Coast Pounamu Pathway hub to seek consent

The first of four experiential visitor hubs along the Pounamu Pathway on the West Coast is to apply for consent from Grey District Council.


Refreshed Rotorua boardwalk open to public 24th August 2022 /

Refreshed Rotorua boardwalk open to public

The final stage of the boardwalk around Lake Rotorua is open to the public after almost a year under construction.


PM opens $32m Hastings aquatic centre 12th August 2022

PM opens $32m Hastings aquatic centre

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially opened the new $32m Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre in Hastings.


Whakarewarewa Village closes indefinitely after sinkhole accident 29th July 2022 /

Whakarewarewa Village closes indefinitely after sinkhole accident

Whakarewarewa Village is closed indefinitely while repairs are underway to fix a footpath sinkhole that severely burned an Australian tourist yesterday.


Māori cultural attraction proposed for Tauranga 28th July 2022 /

Māori cultural attraction proposed for Tauranga

A plan to transform a Tauranga reserve into a cultural and historic centre would provide a visitor experience around Māori life, including the 1864 battle of Gate Pā Pukehinahina.


Hundertwasser attracts 40k visitors, 70% from outside Northland 18th July 2022 /

Hundertwasser attracts 40k visitors, 70% from outside Northland

The attraction is proving a boon five months after opening, enticing visitors to spend more time in the region.


Merit in new Picton tourist attractions – study 28th June 2022 /

Merit in new Picton tourist attractions – study

Marlborough District Council will consider a new hot-pool aquatic facility, a heritage or environment centre, and a mountain bike park to boost tourism opportunities and increase economic benefits in Waitohi Picton.


Zoo receives tick for animal welfare 28th June 2022 /

Zoo receives tick for animal welfare

New Plymouth’s Brooklands Zoo has received accreditation from the Zoo Aquarium Association for its excellence and commitment to positive animal welfare.


Magic Memories snaps up Game of Thrones tour deal 14th June 2022 /

Magic Memories snaps up Game of Thrones tour deal

Magic Memories has secured a content partnership with the world’s only Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Northern Ireland.


Historic Tauranga battle site upgrades underway 20th May 2022 /

Historic Tauranga battle site upgrades underway

A Tauranga reserve commemorating the 1864 Battle of Re Ranga is being upgraded to create a place of remembrance and storytelling.


WCC approves $5.6m for destination skate park 8th April 2022 /

WCC approves $5.6m for destination skate park

Wellington City Council has approved $5.64m in funding for a Destination Skate Park in the capital.


Game legends to host All Blacks Experience tours 1st April 2022 /

Game legends to host All Blacks Experience tours

A group of legendary All Blacks will play host at the All Blacks Experience in Auckland over the April school holidays.


$1.7m Omaka funding a ‘catch-22’ 28th March 2022 /

$1.7m Omaka funding a ‘catch-22’

The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough will receive a $1.7m funding injection from Marlborough District Council, but there’s a ‘catch-22 situation’ attached, says the district’s mayor.


Ngāi Tahu’s Rainbow Springs confirms closure 1st March 2022 /

Ngāi Tahu’s Rainbow Springs confirms closure

The iconic tourism attraction will close its doors for good in September.


Royal Albatross Centre celebrates 50 years 23rd February 2022 /

Royal Albatross Centre celebrates 50 years

The Royal Albatross Centre on the Otago Penisnsula today is celebrating 50 years since opening with a 50% discount on their tour.


New hotspot launches at Ngāruawāhia 16th February 2022

New hotspot launches at Ngāruawāhia

A new business space has launched at Ngāruawāhia aimed at attracting visitors, offering food, local tourism experiences, retail shopping, and professional services.


Ruapehu garden awarded 5-star garden of National Significance 16th February 2022 /

Ruapehu garden awarded 5-star garden of National Significance

Bradley’s Garden in Taumarunui has been recognised as a 5-star Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.


LOTR costume trail celebrates 20 years of film 9th February 2022

LOTR costume trail celebrates 20 years of film

Costumes from The Lord of the Rings film trilogies will be displayed across Wellington as the franchise celebrates its 20-year anniversary.


New ice bar opens at Queenstown 9th February 2022 /

New ice bar opens at Queenstown

A new ice lounge attraction has opened its doors at Queenstown’s Upper Village.


New attraction to bring up to 100 jobs to Queenstown 3rd February 2022

New attraction to bring up to 100 jobs to Queenstown

Kingpin will open its doors next week to what it calls a ‘first-class entertainment hub’.


Canterbury operators see softer numbers, steel for post-summer slump 20th January 2022 /

Canterbury operators see softer numbers, steel for post-summer slump

Tourism businesses suffer a significant drop in visitation.


Ōtorohanga Kiwi House: Slow summer ahead, $8m development on track 8th December 2021 /

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House: Slow summer ahead, $8m development on track

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House is ready to welcome back Aucklanders from 15 December but does not expect many tourists until March or April next year.


All Blacks Experience turns one, preps to re-open Friday 1st December 2021

All Blacks Experience turns one, preps to re-open Friday

The All Blacks Experience will re-open on Friday 3 December and plans a week of celebration to mark its first year of operation.


Whakarewarewa’s plan for post-Covid tourism 23rd August 2021 /

Whakarewarewa’s plan for post-Covid tourism

Cultural attractions are suffering but one operator has found a path forward, managing to boost domestic visitor numbers above pre-Covid levels.


New plan proposed for popular lagoon 23rd July 2021

New plan proposed for popular lagoon

Grovetown Lagoon has become a popular area for walking, biking, picnicking, kayaking, food gathering and bird watching.


Queenstown gets new, safe lake lookout 22nd July 2021

Queenstown gets new, safe lake lookout

New area better sign-posted, with multiple parking spots for cars, coaches and campers.


Christchurch pedestrian mall to be permanently lit 29th June 2021

Christchurch pedestrian mall to be permanently lit

Lighting to form part of Matariki season event on 10 July.


$10m centre mooted for Whanganui River living entity 16th June 2021

$10m centre mooted for Whanganui River living entity

The new visitor centre project dovetails with plans to promote Whanganui River Road as a tourism driving route.


Picton looking to boost visitor offerings through new attractions 9th June 2021

Picton looking to boost visitor offerings through new attractions

A heritage/ environment centre, a mountain bike park and a hot-pool style aquatic facility proposed.


Durie Hill elevator to reopen with upgrades 20th May 2021

Durie Hill elevator to reopen with upgrades

Historic ride set welcome guests again by end May.


New Christchurch cinema to open July, further sites planned 12th May 2021

New Christchurch cinema to open July, further sites planned

New cinema to be located in Christchurch’s The Landing Shopping Mall.


Kiwi Birdlife Park in “survival mode” as it marks 35 years 6th April 2021

Kiwi Birdlife Park in “survival mode” as it marks 35 years

The Queenstown attraction is waiting for a trans-Tasman bubble to help turn around its fortunes.


New story telling stop near Aoraki Mt Cook 1st April 2021

New story telling stop near Aoraki Mt Cook

A new sign installed at Tapataia Mahaka Peters Lookout on Highway 80 to Aoraki Mt Cook tells the stories of manawhenua in Te Manahuna Mackenzie Basin.


Bumper season for Splash Planet 29th January 2021

Bumper season for Splash Planet

The Napier attraction has enjoyed one of its busiest seasons to date, with more than 100,000 visitors since 16 November.


Mackenzie station, tourism operation jets onto market 26th January 2021 /

Mackenzie station, tourism operation jets onto market

A South Island high-country station which plays its part in the Mackenzie tourism landscape as the birthplace of the Hamilton Jet has been put up for sale.


Rotorua attraction re-opens after 9-month hibernation 14th December 2020 /

Rotorua attraction re-opens after 9-month hibernation

Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village is now open again following a nine-month hibernation.


Waiheke WWII tunnels reopen as visitor experience 11th December 2020

Waiheke WWII tunnels reopen as visitor experience

The Fort Stony Batter tunnels on Waiheke Island have been reopened following a six-year closure.