Новая Зеландия. Travel digest

Air New Zealand has said it will lower the number of scheduled flights and increase selected ticket prices because of the sharp rise in fuel costs triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

The airline estimates that the adjustments will affect roughly 4 % of its flights and about 1 % of passengers, with the changes planned for May and June.

Domestic services

Minor Hotels Australasia is pleased to announce the creation of a new position – Account Director – India – and the appointment of Anup Mathur to fill the role. The move underlines the growing significance of the Indian market for the group’s operations in Australasia.

Mathur brings more than 17 years of hospitality‑sales experience, having worked for leading brands such as Marriott

Minor Hotels reported a solid third‑quarter performance for 2025, delivering a core profit of THB 1.85 billion (approximately USD 57 million), which represents a 7 % increase compared with the same period last year.

Core revenue for the quarter amounted to THB 33.5 billion, a slight 2 % decline YoY, mainly due to ongoing capital investment in flagship luxury assets such as Anantara

At the IATA World Sustainability Symposium, the International Air Transport Association introduced its Integrated Sustainability Program (ISP), a certification framework designed specifically for airlines.

ISP builds on the existing IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) and provides a full suite of services including certification, training, consulting, assessments, guidance

Minor Hotels has introduced a new direction for its Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites portfolio, moving away from the traditional serviced‑apartment model toward a full‑service hotel, resort and suites concept.

The refreshed brand will feature a series of distinctive service hallmarks, including mixed‑use common‑area concepts, grab‑and‑go pantry stations stocked with local products,

The measure aims to generate revenue for conservation while boosting employment opportunities.

New Zealand is planning to introduce entry fees for foreign tourists at four of its most popular natural attractions.

The measure aims to generate funding for conservation projects while boosting employment opportunities.

“Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and

In an age when in-flight meals are still hit-or-miss and getting through airport security can feel like a full-body workout, Air New Zealand has decided to bypass the old-school turbulence and steer straight into the jetstream of artificial intelligence — in style, mind you, and with OpenAI riding shotgun.

Yes, dear reader, the national carrier of Aotearoa has become the first airline

With 15% of its 70-aircraft jet fleet grounded and its costs increasing, Air New Zealand is facing quite a few challenges, not of its own making.

Worldwide engine maintenance issues affecting Boeing and Airbus have forced the grounding of some of Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet and a few of the Airbus A320 planes the carrier uses to fly the Tasman and New Zealand domestic

From 18 September, select services between the two cities will be operated by a 171-seat Airbus A320, marking a major milestone as Air New Zealand brings domestic jet services back to Hamilton for the first time in 25 years.

These flights will operate alongside the airline’s ATR 72 turboprop services, maintaining choice for customers throughout the day while adding approximately 25,000

Oyster and seafood lovers are well catered for in New Zealand, and May is the big month for oyster festivals.

The famous Bluff Oyster Festival, held at the southernmost point of New Zealand’s South Island, will occur next weekend, but demand is so great that it’s already sold out.

The Ōhiwa Oyster Festival is a relative newcomer located in the North Island.

The Ōhiwa

Originair has cancelled its Taupō-Wellington service, leaving the central North Island town with no flight links to the capital.

The Nelson-based airline only started flying the route in February after Sounds Air had to axe the service.

Flights on its website show ‘No Flights’ or ‘Sold Out’ after May 26 and there are no dates beyond June 7. Tickets for the three remaining dates

Qantas has announced two new direct routes from Perth, to Johannesburg and to Auckland, from December 2025.

Already available to book, they add more than 155,000 seats in and out of Perth each year.

+ The inaugural Perth to Johannesburg flight is on December 7, 2025. QF65 will fly from Perth on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a flight time of about 11 hours, 15 minutes.

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Air New Zealand is marking its 85th anniversary with a celebratory fare sale featuring special pricing on flights.

From April 15 through May 5, travellers can take advantage of exclusive fares from Vancouver to Auckland starting at $1,385. As an added birthday bonus, connections to popular Kiwi destinations such as Queenstown, Wellington and Christchurch are available for only $50 more.

The

Hawaiian Airlines has confirmed it will return for its seasonal service to Auckland later in the year.

The US carrier will finish its 2024-2025 seasonal flying at the end of April but will return on November 18.

It will fly three times a week to Honolulu and said there has been strong demand from Kiwis heading to Hawaii and beyond, as well as US visitors coming to NZ.

“We

After taking a hiatus during the pandemic, Dunedin’s iconic Taieri Gorge Scenic Train is once again operating regularly in Otago, offering passengers a chance to explore New Zealand's stunning landscapes.

The historic train, which travels from Dunedin's magnificent railway station to Middlemarch, takes passengers through the rugged Taieri Gorge, showcasing deep ravines, towering rock faces,

Oceania Cruises is launching its Riviera for its first season in Australia and New Zealand!

Riviera will offer exclusive culinary-focused itineraries, allowing guests to explore local food through small-group shore excursions to markets, rice fields, and truffle farms, featuring Australia’s seafood and New Zealand’s lamb.

RIVIERA‘S ITINERARIES

The 2026 season runs from

The MoU was signed at an event in Mumbai in the presence of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, and other dignitaries.

Air New Zealand and Air India - on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wherein the two airlines will explore the introduction of a direct service between India and New Zealand by the end of 2028, subject to new aircraft deliveries and

There are going to be some big changes at Auckland Airport duty-free as a new operator has been announced.

Subject to Overseas Investment Office approval, French company Lagardère will take over the running of the stores from July 1.

It already has 10 years’ experience at the airport, most recently as part of the joint venture company LagardèreAWPL, which trades as Aelia Duty

To celebrate the release of A Minecraft Movie, Tourism New Zealand, in collaboration with eleven mana whenua groups, the tourism industry, Warner Bros, and Mojang Studios (the developers of Minecraft), has launched New Zealand as the first fully playable destination in the Minecraft world.

“This innovative approach to destination marketing offers millions of Minecraft fans the unique opportunity

New Zealand is the biggest climber in an annual ranking to find the best countries for expats to move to, but despite the jump, Aotearoa still sits outside the top 20.

It has vaulted up 16 spots to 21st in the Ease of Settling In Index compiled by InterNations, an online expat platform.

It asked foreign residents in 53 countries to rate their new home, asking if they were happy