New Zealand Tourism News
New Zealand is open for travellers
New Zealand is open, welcoming and operating as normal, except for the Christchurch area which was affected by an earthquake on 22 February.
NZ High Commissioner urges travellers to visit New Zealand
The High Commissioner of New Zealand, Derek Leask, has urged travellers not to be deterred by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which has caused carnage in Christchurch,
Rugby World Cup will go ahead in New Zealand
Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden has said that all World Cup matches will take place in the country, despite the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. Although the host stadium escaped damaged from the country’s worst disaster in 80 years, much of the city’s infrastructure needed to support the tournament has been badly damaged, including hotels and roads.
Tourists urged to leave Christchurch
Tourists are being advised to leave Christchurch and head to other parts of New Zealand as the city struggles to cope with the aftermath of Tuesday’s devastating earthquake. Many hotels have been closed due to structural damage. Hundreds of tourists have tried to leave the city but have been hindered by damaged roads and the closure of the railways.
Hopes fade for quake victims in NZ
Hopes are fading of finding survivors beneath the debris in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, which is home to 400, 000 people.
New Zealand quake caused by new faultline
The devastating Christchurch earthquake was caused by a new fault line in the Earth’s crust that seismologists were previously unaware of. The discovery comes as the death toll rise to 75 with more than 300 people still missing. A national state of emergency has been declared by Prime Minister John Key, who described the situation as “New Zealand’s darkest day”.
Christchurch earthquake latest update
The following is intended as an operational update for international travellers in New Zealand, intending international travellers to New Zealand and family and friends of international travellers.
New Zealand Tourism celebrates Lord of the Rings
Two films based on the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien will be made in New Zealand the country’s prime minister has confirmed. The announcement follows lengthy talks between Hollywood executives and the local government whether the Lord of the Rings prequels should be shot in the country.
New Zealand hit by earthquake aftershock
New Zealand has been hit by a powerful aftershock, more than six weeks after a serious tremor rocked the city. Measuring 5.0 on the Richter Scale, the earthquake struck at 11:30 local time causing extensive damage but no casualties.
Chinese demand boosts New Zealand tourism
New Zealand recorded an increase in short-term visitor numbers during August, with demand principally driven by the growing Chinese market. According to the latest release from Statistics New Zealand visitor arrivals rose by four per cent to an all time high of 168,100 in August.
New Zealand tourism in disarray
Can New Zealand Tourism prosper without active leadership?
Christchurch hit by strong earthquake aftershocks
The city of Christchurch, New Zealand, has been hit by a further set of powerful aftershocks following a 7.1 earthquake at the weekend that caused widespread damage. More than a dozen tremours struck overnight – two measuring a magnitude of 5.4 – which further weakened buildings damaged by Saturday’s earthquake.