Travel & Tourism

Tourism businesses need to consider “machines and humans” in their marketing plans, with New Zealand at risk of slipping down the search rankings, thanks to AI trends, says a senior Tourism New Zealand marketing manager.

Two Taupō restaurants have retained their two-hat status in the most recent Cuisine Good Food Awards and a further seven have made the coveted listings.

Air New Zealand's regional boss is apologising for a high cancellation rate on the Taupō to Auckland route but also warns it is losing money.

Waves crashing on the foreshore was a surprise given the shining yellow icon on Sunday’s weather map.

Direct flights from Hamilton Airport to Sydney and the Gold Coast are proving a winner with almost two-thirds of inbound visitors making their way to Taupō.

When Taupō District Council concluded its education partnership with the Tongariro National Trout Centre in 2024, local school trips stopped going.

Taupō's Stella Awards are back, with 47 finalists announced this week and a public vote introduced for the first time. 

Organiser Julie McLeod says the awards recognise businesses that deliver outstanding customer experience at every point in the process — from the first social media scroll to the time the customer walks out the door. 

Skiers and snowboarders are already queuing up to take advantage of early season snowfall on Mt Ruapehu. 

A new chapter has begun for one of Tūrangi's most popular hospitality venues with Angler's Table now open in the former Creel Café.

Whakaipo Lodge has achieved a major international milestone by being ranked 5th in New Zealand in the prestigious TripAdvisor Best of the Best Awards for 2026.

Taupō District’s trout bag limits will increase for the new fishing season.

Trampers can now book their spot at Waihohonu and Mangatepopo huts in Tongariro National Park. 

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.