Travel & Tourism

Work is set to begin on a replacement for the Major Jones swing bridge over the Tongariro River in Tūrangi.

We emerged from our cosy cocoons, aka bus and van, just as a little splash of blue appeared in the sky and the mist curtain lifted.

OPINION: As New Zealand’s tourism sector continues to evolve, much of the public conversation focuses on headline attractions, major developments, and peak-season performance.

Some good news is sprouting from the fire-damaged Tongariro National Park with ecologists discovering an abundance of a threatened plant species.

The government is seeking proposals from operators to restore and operate the historic Chateau Tongariro hotel in the Central North Island at the base of Mt Ruapehu.

Financial columnist Brian Coogan writes about the impact of global events on New Zealand’s economic recovery. He also has personal experience with the current choke point for trade following a visit to the Strait of Hormuz. Here are his observations.

We set off from near the Pureora DOC Base Centre to the Forest Edge Shelter, also known as the Red Shed.

A company providing visitor transport to and from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has had its Department of Conservation concession suspended for two weeks.

The Government is putting $3.5 million from the International Visitor Levy into the restoration of 3000ha of Tongariro National Park that was damaged by fire.

Today [February 2] was our first group walk after the holiday break, and we had a happy day reconnecting with one another.

In early November, a wall of smoke loomed large over the tourism-dependent, central North Island town of Waimarino.

Taupō’s Hole in One Challenge was the backdrop for a $3.69 million Government funding announcement for tourism marketing last week.

People are being warned to prepare well if they intend to drift down the Waikato River in Taupō this summer.

 The Tongariro Alpine Crossing has reopened, albeit with a charred section at the beginning of the track.

The winding path down to Otumuheke Stream track at Spa Park is being concreted.

Destination Great Lake Taupō has added a new role to its team with the appointment of Victoria Jackson in the position of public relations and communications coordinator.

Taupō’s tourism industry took its story to Auckland earlier this month.

Two Central North Island cycle trails have been given Government funding, bringing the trail from Mt Ruapehu to the West Coast almost to completion.

Holiday breaks are fun but there is something unbeatable about scrambling round in native bush surroundings.

Tongariro River Rafting received the Tourism Excellence Award (Micro Business) at a tourism industry event in Wellington last night (29 October).

Taupō Airport is becoming a busy destination for private aircraft, with the possibility of direct flights from Australia.

Big trucks, fast cars, and a fine collection of motor bikes sped past as we gingerly crossed State Highway 1 and ducked into the relative safety of bush on the edge of the Desert Road.

North Island tourism leaders are flexing their new strategic alliance to make waves overseas.

The call went out early for wet weather gear, a change of clothing and horror of horrors, umbrellas.

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has welcomed the government's overhaul of the earthquake-prone building system, saying it could be a big win for the famous Chateau Tongariro hotel.

Roading authorities have decided to take another look at the 100km/h speed limit on a highway through a busy lake Taupō campground.

In 1887, the then paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa Horonuku Te Heuheu Tukino 1V, gifted the sacred summits of Tongariro to the government to protect their tapu, but also, as Sir Hepi Te Heuheu wrote “to be owned by no-one and yet be for everyone”.

The future of Wairakei Resort is now being considered following a change of management at Taupō’s largest hotel and convention centre

It is MS Awareness Week and Taupō’s Lynley Paine has prepared some travel advice based on a recent trip to the Artevento Cervia kite flying festival in Italy.

Ruapehu's mayor has delivered a plea to politicians to save the famous Chateau Tongariro.