Tourism groups step up joint work
The Queenstown and Wānaka regional tourism organisations (RTOs) are working together more than ever, creating, it is claimed, both efficiencies and more marketing clout.
The co-operation even extends to their leadership, where Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods is now also chief executive of Lake Wānaka Tourism after the latter's head of destination stepped down in March.
On July 1, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism will also operate with the same annual plan.
Mr Woods said better co-operation between the organisations had been discussed for 10-plus years.
Then, during Covid, both organisations, together with the council, produced a destination management plan.
Last year, the two bodies entered a shared-services agreement where data, administration and trade and business events marketing are shared between the two.
"It makes sense because when you think about when the trade team goes to America, why would you send someone from Queenstown and someone from Wānaka, when we could actually send one person to talk about both regions?"
Now, the two organisations had adopted a fully shared services partnership, which also embraced all their marketing, media and communications activity.
"We still have two offices, but it's one lot of staff," Mr Woods said.
"There's 31 RTOs in the whole of New Zealand, and we do know the current minister of tourism has said that's too many. So we're ... showing how you can work together."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
15 hours ago
- 1News
SkyCity sues Fletchers for $330m over convention centre delays
SkyCity has filed legal proceedings against Fletcher Building and The Fletcher Construction Company, seeking compensation of $330 million for "ongoing delays" to its new convention centre. Intended to open in 2020, the project was delayed after a devastating fire hit the construction site the year before the opening date. In a statement this morning, SkyCity said it had incurred losses due to the delays, including as a result of the fire. Fletcher Building said it would "vigorously defend itself" against the claim. SkyCity said the project was nearly six and a half years behind the contractually agreed delivery date of January 2019. ADVERTISEMENT Parliament punishment, free money?, getting wicked again (Source: 1News) "SkyCity's claim alleges that Fletchers' breaches of contract, including those which caused the fire, constituted gross negligence, and/or a persistent, flagrant or wilful neglect to carry out obligations under the building works contract," the business said on NZX. SkyCity claimed it was entitled to $330 million in liquidated damages from Fletchers under the contract. "SkyCity has attempted to resolve these claims by agreement with Fletchers but has been unable to do so." SkyCity chief executive Jason Walbridge said the convention centre was supposed to take around three years to build, but had taken almost 10. 'This is a project of key importance not only for SkyCity but also Auckland and the wider New Zealand economy," he said. Walbridge said SkyCity remained "confident" of its February 2026 opening for the convention centre, and expected the building to be handed over in the second half of this year. ADVERTISEMENT "We are ramping up for opening with recruitment for key positions already underway and exciting plans to celebrate finally being able to open our doors and welcome visitors to enjoy the world-class experience we will have on offer'. Fletcher Building acknowledged the legal action and said it would "vigorously" defend itself. The company said it had already paid "significant" liquidated damages to SkyCity over the delays. The NZICC project, located on Hobson St in the city centre, is adjacent to Auckland's Sky Tower and spans 32,500 square metres over four floors. (Source: Supplied) "Accordingly, Fletcher Construction will vigorously defend itself against the SkyCity claim for further liquidated damages beyond the capped amount provided for in the building works contract," its statement to the NZX read. "Whilst the delivery of the NZICC project has suffered from a number of challenges, including as a consequence of the fire and Covid-related impacts, Fletcher Building rejects absolutely that it has breached its contract with SkyCity in the manner alleged." It said the risk of dispute with SkyCity over the delay and costs associated with the NZICC had been flagged previously. ADVERTISEMENT Fletcher Building confirmed it had completed construction work on the convention centre. It said the focus had now moved to remediating defects, completing the complex commissioning processes, and securing required Council sign-offs. It sought to work collaboratively with SkyCity. "Fletcher Building anticipates handing over the site to enable SkyCity to commence its operational readiness activities during the second half of 2025, in preparation for SkyCity's announced opening in February 2026." Fletchers said the net costs to complete the project had been reassessed, considering the costs and resources estimated to be required for the final stages. "With the result that Fletcher Building expects to record a further provision of c$12–15 million, in addition to provisions previously reported in February 2024. That provision does not include any costs associated with the SkyCity dispute announced today." The company also said it continued to pursue recoveries under the convention centre's insurance policy of more than $100 million and had brought legal action against the roofing membrane subcontractors concerning the fire. Fletchers said those proceedings would commence at the High Court "shortly". "While the Company considers it has good grounds to recover material amounts under the TPL policy and the Court action, it has not recognised any recoveries at this time."
Scoop
19 hours ago
- Scoop
CityLink, BusLink Fares To Increase From August
Prices will increase across Northland's public transport network from Friday 01 August with authorities saying they have been left with little choice in the matter. Northland Regional Council member Joe Carr, who chairs the Northland Regional Transport Committee, says fares on Whangārei's CityLink service will revert to their 2018 level of $3 for adults and $2 for children, an increase of $1 per journey on the present fares. Fares on the rural BusLink services will rise by 50 cents per journey from Friday 01 August. Infants up to four years of age will continue to travel free of charge. Concessions for Community Service Card and Gold Card holders remain in place for CityLink and BusLink routes. From 01 August these concessions will also apply for the first time to BusLink's Bream Bay Link and Hikurangi Link, which had not previously been able to offer these discounts. "Council recognises that cost of living pressures are impacting on Northlanders and has for many years made every effort to keep bus fares as low as possible," Chair Carr says. However, he says the council - which administers the services - had been left with very little option, but to review fares. "Regional councils nationwide are having to find additional forms of funding to cover bus operational, infrastructure and administration costs in keeping with the Government Policy on Land Transport 2024.". During Covid and to assist with the cost-of-living crisis, the government had funded several fare reduction schemes across the country, but this funding had ceased in 2023. Chair Carr says even with the increased fares, Northland's charges are still largely in line with other parts of New Zealand. He says over the past two years CityLink has also made several improvements to the service, including the introduction of the SchoolLink service and extension to Route 3, an online bus tracking system, and the Rose Street bus hub redevelopment currently underway with Whangarei District Council. The council will run an awareness campaign shortly to inform passengers of the intended increases.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Cameron Road Changes To Remain At Seventh And Twelfth Avenues
Roading improvements at Seventh Avenue and Twelfth Avenue made as part of the 2021-2024 upgrade of Cameron Road will remain in place it was decided yesterday. Tauranga City Council's City Delivery Committee was presented with options for the future of the two city centre intersections following concerns raised by local businesses about the improvements limiting their customers' ability to reach them. For Seventh Avenue, there was also concern that reduced access was affecting leasing opportunities. Councillors acknowledged that the feedback received from the community did not give this outcome unanimous support but they were making decisions for the future. They recognised that businesses had already suffered from long delays on Cameron Road Stage 1, and they felt that the roading improvements already made were the best option. A vote was carried to maintain the status quo of the Seventh Avenue cul de sac because reopening the intersection with Cameron Road would result in a loss of parking on Cameron Road which a recent survey identified was of high value to local businesses and had implications for the future form and function of Cameron Road. Parking concerns raised by both residents and businesses as part of the survey also identified the need to provide more parking in the area, so a vote was also carried to add additional on-street parking on Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Avenues. While there was real concern expressed for the challenges experienced by the businesses on Twelfth Avenue, a decision was made to keep the 'no right turn' from Cameron Road into Twelfth Avenue in place due to safety concerns with vehicles having to cross two traffic lanes, a bus lane and a cycleway when making a right turn into Twelve Avenue. Head of Transport Mike Seabourne told the committee that because the Cameron Road improvements had been designed to accommodate future growth in the city, particularly in Te Papa and Tauriko West, it was a very 'future-like' design which he acknowledged was 'awkward' for the community to understand and get behind. Councillor Kevin Schuler said it was important to address the parking issues identified in the Seventh Avenue area so he believed that should be done now and if there was still ongoing disquiet about the cul de sac that a decision about reopening it could be revisited later. Councillor Marten Rozeboom said reinstating a right turn into Twelfth Avenue from Cameron Road would affect the flow of traffic between Fifteenth Avenue and Elizabeth Street, and while some people were always disaffected or disadvantaged by change, it was working well for most of Tauranga. Councillor Rod Taylor said while the rush of the Cameron Road project and the impact of COVID-19 meant that consultation at the time 'wasn't 100%' there has now been an opportunity for the community to be heard. 'The result isn't going to be what everyone is wanting but the fact we've looked at it again is good for the community and a lot of people now understand the design of the road and long-term intention.'
