Digital Bank Revolut Acquires Swifty, an AI powered Travel Startup

Digital bank Revolut recently announced the acquisition of Swifty, an AI-powered travel agent startup incubated at Lufthansa Innovation Hub (LIH). This latest acquisition by Revolut brings Swifty’s AI tech and Co Founders Stanislav Bondarenko and...

Burt Reynolds wouldn’t leave: Famous Lake Taupō Lodge for sale

The Hollywood legend had booked to stay at Lake Taupō Lodge, which is on the market for sale, for three nights, but liked it so much he asked to stay for the rest of the week. Reynolds stayed at the lodge overlooking Lake Taupō, in Acacia Bay,...

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race: Counting down the miles

The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) is now into its fifth day and the crews of two boats are counting down the miles to the finish line as they look forward to arriving into Auckland, thoughts turn to what they will do on arrival at Royal...

Food and travel raise inflation in September

The price of everyday food items — from cabbages to corned beef — has surged across Samoa, with Chinese cabbage up more than 34 percent and corned beef nearly 24 percent higher than a year ago, driving the country’s annual inflation rate to 2.8...

Trips cancelled on Auckland's western line as train hits car

The scene at the crossing this morning. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel Train services between Avondale and Swanson in Auckland have been cancelled after a train hit a car. Auckland Transport said all western services will instead only run from...

Greece Looks to Showcase War Cemeteries to Boost Historical Tourism

The Phaleron War Cemetery in Greece. Photo source: CWGC The Greek Tourism Ministry is looking to position its Commonwealth War Cemeteries as key landmarks for historical and thematic tourism, aiming to attract visitors from across the globe while...

Melanie Bracewell and her fiance are a match made in heaven

Comedian Melanie Bracewell has captured hearts across the country with her engaging performances and sharp wit. Hailing from New Zealand, Melanie has made a name for herself in the comedy scene for her work on shows like Have You Been Paying...

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race Day 6

by Di Pearson / Sydney to Auckland media 15 Oct 17:12 PDT 14 October 2025 The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) is now into its fifth day and the crews of two boats are counting down the miles to the finish line as they look forward to arriving...

‘We have a way to save communities’: Cultural fire keepers share knowledge across colonial borders

Rachael Cavanagh (second from right), a Minjungbal woman from the Bundjalung/Yugambeh Nation, journeyed from ‘Australia’ to syilx homelands, where she spoke about the significance of cultural fire at the National Indigenous Fire Gathering in...

The Room Where It Happens: My Three Decades at CounterPunch

My banker’s desk (salvaged from a financial depository that went belly-up during the S&L crisis) after its customary fall cleaning. CounterPunch went online just in time for Clinton’s war on Serbia. Clinton’s war was premeditated; our transit to...

Tourism legend George Hickton dies, age 78

Then, as chief executive of Tourism New Zealand, he was responsible for establishing New Zealand’s "100% Pure" marketing campaign. Living in the Wellington region, and no longer at the Tourism NZ helm, he was asked by Hawke’s Bay Wine Country...

APEC Stories: Australia-NZ trips become easier for Chinese travelers

A newborn koala with its mother at the Australian Reptile Park, Australia, June 21, 2024. /VCG A newborn koala with its mother at the Australian Reptile Park, Australia, June 21, 2024. /VCG Lupine flowers bloom at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. /VCG...

Sydney to Auckland ocean race – Counting down the miles

The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) is now into its fifth day, with crews approaching the finish line and looking forward to their arrival at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC), a co-host of the event with the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club...

Air NZ to launch new Pacific Islands route in 2026

South Islanders will soon have another international destination to fly direct to, with Air New Zealand introducing non-stop flights between Christchurch and Rarotonga next year. House of Travel’s chief operating officer Dave Fordyce told the...

Taiwan tourism centre opens in Sydney

Taiwan Tourism Administration has opened an information centre in Sydney to capitalise on rising Australian and New Zealand visitor numbers to the Asian destination. The Taiwan Tourism Information Centre (TTIC) in Sydney’s CBD has officially...

There's something missing from the bedside tables at newly-opened hotel

There's something missing from the bedside tables at this newly-opened hotel I'm staying at. It seems they've done away with phones in the new funky rooms at mid-range hotel, TRIBE Auckland Fort Street in New Zealand. Instead, guests staying in...

These two Melbourne hotels were just recognised in the world’s most prestigious travel awards

Victoria has no shortage of incredible places to stay – from glittering city palaces to charming farmstays and playful revamped motels. And while we all have our favourites, it’s always interesting to hear what global travellers think about our...

Health NZ warns as measles spreads nationwide

Health New Zealand is urging immediate action as measles cases continue to rise across the country, with 17 confirmed infections as of Sunday, November 2 — including a new case in Auckland linked to overseas transmission. The warning comes at the...

Dr Alia Bojilova to headline BEIA Conference 2025 in Auckland

BEIA Conference 2025 names Dr Alia Bojilova keynote speaker, focusing on resilience, leadership and future trends in business events. Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has announced Dr Alia Bojilova as the keynote speaker for the BEIA...

Hawai’i Tourism Oceania announces annual ‘Sea the Future’ event

Hawai’i Tourism Oceania, represented by The Walshe Group, has announced its annual ‘Sea the Future’ event, showing how travel and tourism play a positive role for community and environment. ‘Sea the Future’ is a regenerative tourism initiative,...