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Hastings theme park needs $34.7m over 15 years to replace ageing facilities
Local Government

Hastings theme park needs $34.7m over 15 years to replace ageing facilities

Ratepayers could face a jump in annual bills as Hastings weighs whether to spend $34.7 million keeping Splash Planet largely unchanged.

By Linda Hall • 5 min read • Today
Fresh bid to create new Auckland regional park
Auckland Council

Fresh bid to create new Auckland regional park

A volunteer group says the merger would better protect heritage and ecology at the 71-hectare headland, after councillors rejected it in 2022.

By Torika Tokalau • 3 min read • 2 days ago
Wairere Falls track reopens, repairs hit $420k as MP questions delay
Conservation

Wairere Falls track reopens, repairs hit $420k as MP questions delay

Repairs to one of Waikato's best-known walking tracks have finished in time for summer, but the bill has climbed to NZD $420,000.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • 3 days ago
More than $3 million boost for Christchurch, South Island rail announced
KiwiRail

More than $3 million boost for Christchurch, South Island rail announced

Commuters from Rangiora and Rolleston could be back on passenger rail by mid-2027, but councils must still agree funding and fares remain unclear.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Last week
Mackenzie toilet charges to kick-in ahead of Waitangi weekend
Payment Technologies

Mackenzie toilet charges to kick-in ahead of Waitangi weekend

Visitors to 33 Mackenzie toilets will pay $1.50 a visit from Waitangi weekend 2027, as the council shifts costs onto tourists.

By Claire Taylor • 4 min read • Last week
Splash Planet's future up for feedback as Hastings council looks to limit rates rises
Local Government

Splash Planet's future up for feedback as Hastings council looks to limit rates rises

Residents are being asked whether to keep funding the ageing theme park as Hastings District Council weighs service cuts to ease rates pressure.

By Linda Hall • 4 min read • Last week
Time running out to get Kaikōura Inland Road open for Christmas
Christmas

Time running out to get Kaikōura Inland Road open for Christmas

A temporary fix to a flood-damaged bridge could cost more than $300,000, as the council races to reopen the route before Christmas.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Last month
Smart Planner launches travel app beta focused on Queenstown
Artificial Intelligence

Smart Planner launches travel app beta focused on Queenstown

Travellers in Queenstown will now test a beta app that links trip planning with local businesses, community initiatives and destination context.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month
'Outrageous absurdity': Couple fears waterfront Ferris wheel will make apartment building derelict
Auckland Council

'Outrageous absurdity': Couple fears waterfront Ferris wheel will make apartment building derelict

Auckland residents could soon face blocked harbour views and added noise if a 32-metre ferris wheel is approved for Queens Wharf.

By Pretoria Gordon • 4 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Tourism stories

Honeywell AI to cut cooling demand at Singapore resort
Data Analytics

Honeywell AI to cut cooling demand at Singapore resort

The trial could trim energy use at a site that welcomes about 17 million visitors a year, while helping meet its 2030 carbon-neutrality target.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
iVisa launches tracker as visa rules tighten worldwide
Hybrid & Remote Work

iVisa launches tracker as visa rules tighten worldwide

Travellers now face a fast-changing maze of entry forms, fees and bans, with iVisa's free tracker logging 97 rule changes across 61 countries.

By Shadda Lie Catugal • 4 min read • Last month
Agoda rolls out AI assistant across 21 travel markets
Generative AI

Agoda rolls out AI assistant across 21 travel markets

Travellers in 21 markets can now plan and book whole trips in one chat, as Agoda's mobile app adds live prices, flights and hotels.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • Last month
American Express cards accepted through TBC in Georgia
Payment Technologies

American Express cards accepted through TBC in Georgia

More merchants and online retailers in Georgia can now take American Express, widening card choice for local shoppers and visitors.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Tourism stories

Travelex signs 50 Canadian wholesale customers in year one
Supply Chain

Travelex signs 50 Canadian wholesale customers in year one

Demand for foreign currency has helped Travelex build a foothold in Canada, where it now serves more than 50 wholesale customers across three provinces.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • 2 days ago
Discover & Diners Club win Merlin London payments deal
Payment Technologies

Discover & Diners Club win Merlin London payments deal

Visitors at London landmarks will now be able to pay with Discover and Diners Club cards, as Merlin broadens acceptance across its global attractions.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
GoGlobe links Seol AI assistant to booking pipeline
Airlines

GoGlobe links Seol AI assistant to booking pipeline

Travellers can now book flights and hotels through GoGlobe's Seol assistant in about 1.8 seconds, after it linked to live inventory across 600 airlines.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last week
HSBC launches RedCoin stablecoin on PayMe in Hong Kong
Crypto

HSBC launches RedCoin stablecoin on PayMe in Hong Kong

More than 3.3 million PayMe users can soon use HSBC RedCoin for instant transfers and merchant payments, as Hong Kong tightens its digital asset rules.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month