Tourism New Zealand Press Releases

Kākāpō chicks make safe return

2009-07-10T05:06:00Z

New Zealand’s kākāpō recovery team has successfully returned the last four kākāpō chicks to their birthplace on Whenua Hou / Codfish Island this morning (10.07.09), marking a significant milestone for the 2009 breeding season.

Flu-fighting chocolate captures NZ market

2009-07-10T02:41:19Z

An enterprising New Zealand chocolate maker has put a tongue-in-cheek spin on swine flu by producing a novel chocolate bar with a medicinal filling.

NZ Baa Blacks prove ewe can do anything

2009-07-10T02:08:12Z

When the world’s largest sheep producer is also globally famous for its sporting prowess, it was only a matter of time before someone in New Zealand put two and two (or should we say, ewe and ewe) together.

Endangered kōkako returning to forest

2009-07-10T00:31:08Z

History will be repeating itself when world renowned botanist David Bellamy and a flock of endangered kōkako songbirds return to the New Zealand bush in September to commemorate an environmental milestone.

Winter whale surveys spotlight rare species

2009-07-09T22:14:17Z

Whale watching and the study of New Zealand’s diverse marine life is a major tourist attraction and a national pastime, but come winter the recreational activity takes on a more serious note.

Freefalling over Motueka - Good Vibes 2009

2009-07-06T02:20:52Z

Freefall fanatics from around the world are preparing to descend on Motueka – in the northern South Island – for New Zealand’s largest skydiving event.

Skiers and boarders headed for NZ's wild side

2009-06-29T03:54:50Z

Top snowboarders and skiers with a taste for the wild side are preparing to descend on one of New Zealand’s most remote mountainous regions.

Big daddies birth 500 babies in NZ aquarium

2009-06-25T02:07:29Z

An unexpected population explosion has the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre aquarium, on the Otago Peninsula, brimming with activity.

Winter Fest puts Queenstown in party mode

2009-06-24T01:13:26Z

Queenstown Winter Festival – the biggest winter party this side of the equator – lights up on Friday night (26.06.09).

Stars in their eyes for Matariki festivities

2009-06-22T21:04:41Z

Festivity is in the air this week as New Zealanders lift their eyes to the heavens for the rise of Matariki – the Pleiades star formation – in southern hemisphere skies.

Kiwis say: 'Thanks a Million, Australia'

2009-06-22T05:42:35Z

A million Australians (and a few more) have jumped the ditch to experience the Kiwi landscape, culture and attractions in the past year.

FOTC star tipped for NZ film role

2009-06-18T04:15:13Z

Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement has been tipped for a role in a new feature film that’s due to start filming soon.

Wellington to host 2011 Outgames

2009-06-18T01:07:11Z

Wellington, New Zealand, will host the 2nd Asia Pacific Outgames – a major international gay and lesbian sport, culture and human rights event – from 12 – 19 March 2011.

Kiwi winery trots out one-horse power tractor

2009-06-17T04:15:37Z

A leading New Zealand winery has taken an out-of-the-ordinary approach to increasing its biodynamic efforts with the employment of a 22-year-old horse named Stewart.

'Nude Blacks' entertain Dunedin rugby fans

2009-06-15T00:43:50Z

Excited rugby fans in Dunedin on Saturday (13.06.09) got the ‘full monty’ – a bonus match featuring the ‘Nude Blacks’ – as well as the much anticipated first rugby test between New Zealand – France.

Air New Zealand achieves environmental gold

2009-06-11T03:40:18Z

Air New Zealand has been recognised as one of New Zealand's most environmentally responsible tourism businesses with the award of Qualmark Enviro-Gold status.

Nelson ranks with world's top charming towns

2009-06-11T02:02:28Z

International travel website TripAdvisor.com has ranked the New Zealand city of Nelson among the world’s most charming small towns.

Munro-style motorbike in Auckland café

2009-06-03T05:17:58Z

A vintage motorbike once worked on by Kiwi motorcycling legend Burt Munro, of 'The World’s Famous Indian' fame, and owned by a fellow speedster, is now part of the décor in an Auckland café.

Small NZ town - big problem solvers

2009-06-03T04:59:09Z

The small rural town of Kimbolton - in the North Island’s Manawatu region - is little known to many Kiwis let alone the international community, but now some local school children have put their home and New Zealand firmly on the world map.

New Zealand - peace capital of the world

2009-06-03T04:13:32Z

Looking for a peaceful life? Then New Zealand is the place to be - and that’s official. The country has just been ranked the most peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index.