Last year’s win of a prized trophy for Māori farmers is still sinking in for Northland farm trustee Wess Wetere.

“Having a million-dollar herd and having made a profit was something we looked forward to in five years, not three – none of us were really farmers.”

The farm, owned by the Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, was awarded the Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2025 for its beef operation near the settlement of Whangaruru on a finger of land jutting out from Northland’s east coast.

“We knew what a cow was and a bull was, but we didn’t know whether we’re going to milk cows, whether we were going to do what the previous tenant did,” Wetere told Country Life during a tour of the farm.

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In 2020, with the help of a $900,000 Provincial Growth Fund grant, the trust turned a calving operation on a degraded block of land into a beef fattening farm running 950 young bulls on 350 hectares.

The 1100-hectare block also includes native and exotic forest and wetlands.

They were able to bring the land back from the brink, tidy it up by removing 60 hectares of gorse, setting up a 40-kilometre network of pipes to supply troughs and put in 57 kilometres of fencing.

It was the culmination of decades of alienation from the land for some 1300 Ngātiwai shareholders.

“We basically had no fertiliser for many years, there was only one or two troughs, the fencing was in poor state, gorse took up over a third of the farm,” Wetere said,

“It’s taken a lot to get the pasture quality up and control our gorse as well, but we’re getting there,” farm manager Matthew Payne said.

But just as the farm was rehabilitated, it was hit by a devastating deluge in January, a huge setback, but one Payne and his team have taken in their stride.

“It ripped out a lot of infrastructure, laneways, fences, water pumps, and we just got a lot of mud pulled out of swamps and blocked access ways to the farm.

“We had to do a lot of walking and a little bit of kayaking to shift cattle.”

Shifting cattle was a 40-minute job instead of five minutes “when we kind of didn’t have a lot of time”.

The farm was still recovering during Country Life’s visit in the autumn. Larger culverts had been installed and roads were being rebuilt with material from the on-farm quarry.

Payne said the new drains had helped the farm come through more heavy rain events over the past few months.

The team is aware climate challenges will not be going away but still sees “heaps of potential” for the whenua, Wetere said.

Aside from beef, horticulture and agritourism – such as mountain biking on the forest tracks – were some of the ideas being floated.

Analysis pointed to a more tropical environment, with even crops like mangoes a possibility, he said.

Learn more:

• Find out about the Ahuwhenua Trophy here

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Tourists arrivals were the highest they’d been this March since before Covid-19, but as the fuel crisis continues tourism may take a hit.

Fuel prices have soared this year due to the conflict in the Middle East, making travel, both domestic and international, more expensive, but visitor arrivals in March totalled nearly 360,000 up nearly 15 percent from March 2025.

Stats NZ numbers showed overseas visitor arrivals hit 3.51 million in the year ended December 2025, up 6 percent from the prior year.

Tour operator Paul Button, general manager of Rotorua Canopy Tours and the Million Dollar Cruise in Queenstown, told Morning Report, there’d been a bit of a hit just recently through April going into May.

He said Rotorua had seen domestic support, but lower numbers from Australia and the United States which were usually two of the biggest markets.

Extreme inflation had also been a challenge recently, he said, noting it had been a tough six or so years.

“The challenge I guess for us, people are the products and we really gotta look after them.

“Last year we had a really good year… really excited for the future, but now it’s just more learning, more challenges.

He said the Million Dollar Cruise on Queenstown’s Lake Wakitipu had been 90 percent up in 2025.

Despite the fuel crisis, Button wasn’t too worried about the impact on tourism as he said many markets, including the Chinese market, saw Aotearoa as a safe place to go and so did many other markets.

“We’re seen as a safe destination to come to with all the chaos. Is a selling point, we’re seen as a really safe destination to visit.”

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Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced $1 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to upgrade tracks and campgrounds around Tarawera and Ōkataina.

The investment will help reopen the Eastern Ōkataina Walkway and support upgrades across more than 22 kilometres of tracks and three campgrounds.

“Tarawera and Ōkataina are some of Rotorua’s most iconic visitor destinations, attracting thousands of people every year and supporting local tourism and jobs,” Mr Potaka says.

“This funding will improve tracks, campgrounds, toilets, and visitor facilities, while also helping address safety and resilience issues following the 2021 rockfall event that closed the Eastern Ōkataina Walkway.”

The upgrades will include work on the Eastern Ōkataina Walkway, Northern Tarawera Track, Tarawera Falls Track, Humphries Bay Campsite, and Te Tapahoro Campground.

“Ngāti Rangitihi, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Ruawahia 2B Trust, and the Lake Ōkataina Scenic Reserve Board all play an important role in the future of this area and the experiences it offers visitors.”

The project will also support wallaby control and wider biodiversity work across the area.

“This announcement also shows why the Government is reforming conservation legislation.”

“The Conservation Amendment Bill currently before Parliament is about making it easier to deliver practical upgrades like this in the future.

“For too long, outdated processes have slowed investment into tracks, huts, campgrounds, and visitor infrastructure on conservation land.

“Our reforms will help cut unnecessary delays while maintaining strong environmental protections and reinvesting back into conservation.”

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The Aviation Industry Association says Air New Zealand is far from the only airline eyeing flight cuts, due to soaring fuel costs.

The airline says it has cut 5 percent of its flights and will start to consolidate more routes after the school holidays.

Aviation Industry Association chief executive Simon Wallace said the cost of jet fuel had doubled since March.

“Jet fuel has been [increasing] at a far greater rate than petrol has,” he said.

Wallace suspected the cuts would particularly impact regional routes.

“I think we will see some further reductions on some of Air New Zealand’s domestic services and, in a country like New Zealand, that is felt particularly in regional areas,” he said.

“Air New Zealand have signalled today they’re looking at some long haul routes. They haven’t announced exactly where those will be, but I think we can expect to see some, if not cutting routes completely, then a reduction in the frequency on those routes.”

He said Air New Zealand was not the only airline tightening its belt.

“The regional airlines like Air Chathams and others have also had to reduce some of their services, because it gets to a point where the customer can’t afford to pay these increased airfares.

“We’ve seen airlines globally do it in Europe, in particular, and even across the Tasman, with Qantas and Jetstar rationalising some of their routes.”

Even beyond airlines, the cost of jet fuel was causing issues.

“We are seeing the impact of jet fuel play out across the whole aviation system in New Zealand, so it’s not just Air New Zealand and the regional airlines.

“It’s tourism flight operators, it’s agricultural aviators, it’s helicopter contractors, everyone across the whole system is feeling this.”

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New data showing international visitor numbers continue to grow shows confidence is increasing in the sector, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

New international travel figures released by Stats NZ today show 358,900 international visitors arrived in March 2026, up 15.1 per cent on the same time last year, approaching closer to the number of visitors we were receiving in 2019. 

Louise Upston says more visitors means more money flowing into New Zealand.

“More visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating at local cafes, booking tours and shopping in our towns and cities. That supports jobs and helps businesses and our wider economy grow.

“Our mates in Australia remain our biggest source of visitors, with 138,360 people arriving in March, up 21 per cent on the same time last year.

“There was also strong growth from other key tourism markets, including an 8.3 per cent increase in visitors from the United States (53,390 visitors) and a 20 per cent increase in visitors from China (24,620 visitors). 

“Annual figures show we welcomed 3.63 million international visitors in the year ending March 2026, up 9.2 per cent percent on the previous year.

“Tourism is our second largest export earner, and when it does well, New Zealand does well. 

“Every extra visitor helps support jobs, from hospitality workers and tour guides to retail staff and transport operators.

“These numbers are also encouraging given the fuel crisis, which has led to some uncertainty that could have affected people’s travel plans. I continue to monitor the situation and work closely with industry to ensure New Zealand retains its appeal.”

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New Zealand continues to see a small recovery in its net migration numbers.

Statistics New Zealand said New Zealand had a net gain of 24,200 migrants in the year to March, up from 14,000 in the same period last year.

That is still well down on the recent peak, which saw a net gain of around 130,000 migrants in the year to October 2023.

The increase in the year to March this year was driven by small 1 percent up tick in overall arrivals to 135,500 and 8 percent drop in migrant departures to 111,300.

When looked at on monthly basis, New Zealand had a net gain of 2800 in March, compared with a loss of 200 in the same month a year ago.

According to Statistics New Zealand, there was net migration loss of 36,500 New Zealand citizens in the year to March and a net gain of 60,800 non-New Zealand citizens

The net loss of New Zealand citizens in the year March is down around 6400 on the same period last year.

Tourism numbers

New Zealand had 3.63 million short term visitors in the year to March 2026, an increase of 305,000 on the previous year.

Australian tourists lead the way, up 161,000 in the year to March to 1.56 million, followed by Chinese tourists which were up 48,000 to 297,000.

For the month of March visitor arrivals were 358,900, an increase of 47,100 from March 2025.

Statistics New Zealand said the total number of overseas visitor arrivals in March 2026 was 95 percent of the 378,300 recorded in March 2019.

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Date:  25 March 2026 Source:  Office of the Minister of Conservation

As part of this next phase, the focus shifts to scaling up predator elimination across New Zealand, building on the work already underway in communities, strengthening coordination, and using improved tools and technology to move from local projects to larger, sustained impact.

“In Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, that means extending predator control across the whole city, with more traps, more monitoring, and more action on the ground to bring back native wildlife and strengthen the city’s appeal as a destination.

“This is a coordinated push across the whole city. Practical action that people will notice in their neighbourhoods, with more native species returning and thriving.”

The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million over five years to support Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, working alongside Capital Kiwi and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. The phased operation will target introduced predators across 18,500 hectares, benefiting more than 200,000 residents and 20,000 businesses.

This work is part of a wider shift to expand what works, advance new tools, and prepare for rollout across New Zealand.

“We are committed to backing our environment and our economy at the same time.

“Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara already attracts visitors, and as native wildlife returns, it opens up opportunities to grow conservation-based tourism, supporting local businesses and jobs.”

More than 9,000 community trapping projects are now active nationwide, alongside large-scale programmes already delivering results. 

This next step focuses on scaling those efforts, using improved tools and coordination to move from local gains to sustained, citywide impact.

“Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is leading that shift, showing how we scale this work across the country.”

This phase focuses on predator elimination that can work at scale in towns and cities, creating a model that can be applied across New Zealand over time.

Contact

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It is clear that many people in Marlborough just want to see work get underway on the port redevelopment ahead of the new ferries arriving, after years of disrupted services.

The Marlborough District Council is seeking feedback on whether to lend the port $110 million for its share of the Picton ferry redevelopment, and there is broad support among those who have weighed in on the proposal.

The money would come from the Local Government Funding Agency and go towards the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project which was estimated to cost $531m, with the government funding the rest.

The council has said debt would be at no additional cost to ratepayers, with the port to pay back the loan, including interest, while also paying its annual dividend to the council.

At a public meeting held in Picton on Wednesday, many expressed support for the proposal. More than 80 percent of the submissions published online were also in favour of the council financing Port Marlborough’s share of the project.

Aileen Walker has lived in the port town for 40 years and said having a resilient link across the Cook Strait was vital, but admitted that the $110m cost made her “gulp”.

“Numbers like that make our minds go bananas, it’s a huge sum of money but it has to be spent. We need this and it’s not just in Picton that we need it, but we need it to link the two islands together.”

She said she was devastated when the former ferry project was canned, because of the money that had already been spent on preparation work in Picton.

Last May, it was revealed that $39.1m had already been been spent on investments at the Picton port as part of the iRex (Inter-Island Resilient Connection) project which included a new terminal and walkways, a new mechanical depot and an upgraded culvert.

Walker said she understood why the government scrapped the former ferries, but said the way it was managed was “hopeless” and the half finished upgrade left Picton in “absolute chaos”.

Dublin Street had been closed for over a year so underground services could be moved and an overbridge built as part of the iRex project, but it was shelved before the bridge was built.

“It’s going to be chaos again, but at least it’ll be positive chaos. We’ll know it’s leading somewhere that is going to benefit everybody,” Walker said.

‘Everyone’s ready to just get cracking’

Blenheim resident Henry Voordouw was also supportive of the loan and said he was not worried about the price tag.

“It’ll either cost $110m or it will cost $200m, everything seems to double these days.”

He said the ferries were run down and becoming less reliable.

“It’s disappointing that that has been allowed to happen and we’re stuck with it now, but we have to do something otherwise they just seem to run off track and have all these sorts of breakdowns.

“You want tourists to travel on these ships, they don’t want to have to put their lives in danger. It’s bad enough for us, the locals, to have to put up with that, let alone bloody tourists.”

Cliff Bowers, a longtime Picton resident and former Marlborough district councillor, said the loan made sense – given the port is a council controlled organisation.

But he was concerned about what it could mean for Marlborough’s assets if the council was forced to amalgamate, as per the government’s regional council shake up.

“We don’t know what they’re going to force onto us. I just hope that they don’t make us amalgamate with Wellington, that would cripple us.”

Julia Kennedy moved back to Picton a few years ago after living in Australia and said she supported the proposal, as creating a more resilient link across the Cook Strait was a “no-brainer”.

“It’s a bottleneck for everybody, for the whole country. Freight-wise and it’s obviously really important in terms of moving people.

“It’s the lifeblood of lots of small towns from Picton all the way down to the larger centres.

“I think everyone’s ready to just get cracking and get it rolling. Let’s start seeing some shiny new boats and being able to have some faith and some trust in our transport infrastructure again.”

Out of 49 submissions on the proposal to finance Port Marlborough’s share of the project, 41 were in support.

Those against the proposal cited concerns over adding to council debt, the shifting of risk to ratepayers and the suitability of the repayment terms.

“The push for upgraded ferry infrastructure is being driven at a national level, not by Marlborough ratepayers. It is unreasonable that local ratepayers are expected to underwrite a $110 million investment to support what is effectively a national transport objective,” one submitter said.

A long wait for a port upgrade

Work began on the iRex project in late 2022, with plans for a new ferry terminal building, a new wharf and passenger walkway, a new rail yard, new vehicle boarding, and an overbridge in Dublin St over the railway lines, to improve traffic flow through the town when larger ferries were in port.

But by December 2023, the government announced the project was being canned after costs had quadrupled from $775m in 2018 to about $3 billion in 2023.

It was revealed last year that the total cost for the scrapped project was $671m, which included $449m spent on landside infrastructure, project management and wind-down costs, and $222m total paid to the South Korean shipbuilders, Hyundai Mipo Dockyards, including for a previous deposit and the settlement.

Ferry Holdings was established by the government last March, to lead the revised Cook Strait ferry programme, bringing together vessel design, port infrastructure, and national transport requirements under a single entity.

Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor said there was a sense of deja-vu given the council had previously agreed, after consultation, to lend the same amount to the port under the former iRex project.

“Essentially, a lot of it’s the same, it’s two ferries, it’s new port [infrastructure], the roading infrastructure is very similar, the proposal is for an overbridge again which is really important to the people of Picton.”

She said so far, the submissions council had received showed support for the loan.

“A lot of people are saying to me, we’ve been here before, let’s just keep moving, let’s keep going forward with this.”

Ferry Holdings chair Chris Mackenzie said once the council had made its decision, the company would finalise agreements so contractors could start work.

He said there had already been demoliton work done at both ports, and the aim was to start building new infrastructure by mid-year, with a completion date of December 2028.

Port Marlborough CEO Rhys Welbourn said its focus during the redevelopment was to build a new wharf that would allow vessels to come in, berth safely and load and unload efficiently.

He said new vessels, no matter what size, required new infrastructure.

“Picton is vital for New Zealand’s supply chain, not many people realise, but New Zealand relies on the infrastructure at Waitohi/Picton, every day.

“Every day we have ferries coming, unloading and loading, so it’s really important that we get that right.”

A public meeting is being held in Blenheim on Thursday night and consultation closes on 19 May, with the council to make a decision on 26 May.

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David Tamihere will likely have to wait until July to find out whether he will be retried for the 1989 murder of two Swedish tourists.

The Supreme Court quashed his convictions six weeks ago for the murder of Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen, saying Crown prosecutors must decide whether to hold a retrial.

The 72-year-old had been due to appear at a procedural High Court hearing on Wednesday but that did not go ahead and was now set down for July.

When his convictions were quashed, Tamihere returned to being a murder-accused, facing the original two charges in the court.

The question now was whether he would go on trial for them again.

Former High Court judge and former crown prosecutor Hon Simon Moore KC said there were a “galaxy of different matters” the Crown weighed up when making decisions on retrials.

Speaking generally, rather than about Tamihere’s case, Moore said the Crown had to ask itself whether it had a reasonable prospect of conviction.

“If witnesses are not available or the complexities of running a trial decades later mean that test isn’t satisfied, then that is a factor the Crown will take into account – along with whether it is in the public interest to continue,” he said

There were a number of aspects to consider when it came to witnesses, he said.

“The first one obviously is whether those witnesses are still alive or available. And obviously if you are talking about decades, there will be challenges in those areas.”

It was possible memories or perceptions of events had changed, although witnesses had statements from the time to help, he said.

Prosecutors also weighed up social factors – such as the health of the defendant – in their decisions and they would consider any sentence that has already been served.

The cost of running another trial was a consideration, but never a determinant on its own, Moore said.

Since Tamihere’s original trial, some crown witnesses had died, and one, prison informant Robert Conchie Harris, had been convicted in 2017 of perjury in relation to the case.

That conviction sparked the round of appeals by Tamihere that led to the Supreme Court.

The compensation question

Tamihere served 20 years in prison before being released in 2010 and was on parole until his convictions were quashed.

If the Crown did not seek another trial and the charges were dropped he could seek compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

If successful, he could get millions of dollars.

But that was not a given.

Former High Court judge Hon Rodney Hansen, KC, was appointed to oversee two high profile claims for wrongful murder convictions and imprisonments – Teina Pora, who got $3.5 million and Alan Hall who got $4.9 million.

If Tamihere sought compensation, the onus would fall to his legal team to prove he was innocent on balance of probabilities.

That was different to a trial where the onus was on the crown to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Proving innocence was not normally an easy task, Hansen said.

“It’s not sufficient to show that he was wrongly convicted, he must show that on balance he is innocent, he did not do it,” he said.

It seemed any compensation claim relating to the case would be complex, because the case itself was complex, he said.

“It was a real who-dunnit from beginning to end and it went through many twists and turns,” he said

“There would be a lot of evidence there would have to be traversed and a lot of highways and byways you would have to explore.”

If someone was seeking compensation, the government normally appointed a retired judge, or someone with expert legal credentials, to investigate and make recommendations.

But the decision about whether to give compensation was ultimately with the government, usually cabinet, which would review the recommendations before deciding.

In its March decision, the Supreme Court said one of the key reasons for quashing Tamihere’s convictions was the fact the Crown’s case had changed so much since the original trial.

“We emphasise that there are simply too many questions on the Crown’s new theory of the case, which have not been tested, for an appellate court to reach a conclusion about guilt,” the decision said.

“That does not mean that a jury, properly directed, could not possibly be satisfied of guilt, but that would need to be decided on a retrial, which this court has now directed.”

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Set opposite Ben Thanh Market, One Central Saigon is a landmark mixed-use destination where luxury living, hospitality, retail and business converge at the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. The project also marks The Ritz-Carlton hotel brand’s debut in Vietnam, alongside The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon, Grade A+ offices, curated retail, services and fine dining.

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – Masterise Homes, a member of Masterise Group, has officially launched One Central Saigon, Vietnam’s first mixed-use landmark destination, marking the arrival of a new address where international standards of living, hospitality, retail, business and services come together in Ho Chi Minh City.

The launch event was attended by representatives of Ho Chi Minh City government authorities, senior leaders from Masterise Group, Masterise Homes and Marriott International, as well as leading experts in real estate, economics and tourism.

Over the past decade, the centre of gravity of the global economy has shifted decisively towards Asia, with Vietnam emerging as one of the region’s most compelling growth stories. Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s economic engine, is entering a new phase of development as a dynamic, deeply connected metropolis.

Around the world, certain developments have helped shape how cities are recognised internationally, from Hong Kong’s IFC and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands to Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. These projects did more than create striking skylines. They helped shape how the world sees their cities and countries. One Central Saigon is positioned within this tradition of city-shaping developments, with a vision that combines international standards, Vietnamese identity and long-term urban value.

“We believe Vietnam has reached the moment where it is ready for a development of the calibre of One Central Saigon,” said Ms Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, Managing Director, Southern Region, Masterise Group. “The project has been present in Ho Chi Minh City for some time and has passed through several phases of development. Today, it is being introduced with a clearer vision. With a sense of responsibility to contribute to the nation’s development journey in a new era, Masterise Group aspires to continue building an iconic landmark where the world’s highest experiential standards converge with the identity, energy and ambition of the city. This is also how we contribute to projecting the image of a modern, confident and culturally rich Vietnam onto the international stage.”

A rare address in the city’s historic core
For more than a century, Ben Thanh Market has been one of Ho Chi Minh City’s great urban constants: a place of trade, arrival and encounter, and one of the few landmarks instantly recognised across Vietnam and beyond.

Its clock tower, market halls and surrounding streets are woven into the city’s daily rhythm and public memory, giving the area a significance that extends far beyond location. Set directly opposite the market, with four rare frontages along Pham Ngu Lao, Calmette, Le Thi Hong Gam and Pho Duc Chinh streets in the former District 1, One Central Saigon holds one of the city’s most strategic locations and shares a unique connection with Ho Chi Minh City’s historic urban core.

One Central Saigon will rise as two towers above a retail and commercial podium on an 8,537 sqm site, with 19,990 sqm of commercial space across seven above-ground levels and six basement floors. The retail centre is envisioned as a destination for luxury retail, curated services and fine dining, with brands and experiences selected for both international appeal and the evolving needs of Vietnamese customers. Its basement levels will connect directly to Ben Thanh Metro Station via an underground link, integrating the project with the city’s public transit network.

Together with Grade A+ offices, The Ritz-Carlton, Saigon and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon, the development forms a seamless mixed-use ecosystem for luxury living, hospitality, retail, business, services and lifestyle experiences at the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.

Song Long Ngậm Ngọc: Vietnamese symbolism, global expertise
The architecture of One Central Saigon is inspired by Song Long Ngậm Ngọc, or Twin Dragons Playing with a Pearl, a Vietnamese cultural motif associated with strength, prosperity and wisdom. The two towers rise and converge around a central point, creating a contemporary architectural expression of Vietnamese identity within the Ben Thanh district.

Among the tallest twin towers in Vietnam and the region, One Central Saigon is a structurally complex undertaking that requires significant investment, precision, and attention at every stage of execution. The project brings together an international design and construction team, including Arquitectonica as design architect, HBA for interior design, B+H, a member of Surbana Jurong Group, as executive architect, and Turner for project management.

International operational standards add another defining layer of value to One Central Saigon. With more than a century of heritage in luxury hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton brings refinement, attention to detail, privacy and highly personalised service to the project’s ultra-luxury positioning.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon opens a new chapter in ultra-luxury living, while The Ritz-Carlton, Saigon marks the hotel brand’s debut in Vietnam, reflecting Ho Chi Minh City’s growing appeal to international travellers, investors, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.

The Grade A+ office component is designed for global corporations and forward-thinking business leaders seeking a workplace within a 5-star international ecosystem.

Vietnam’s luxury momentum accelerates
The launch comes as Vietnam continues to attract global capital, international brands and a rising generation of high-net-worth consumers. Official data showed real GDP growth of 8.02% in 2025, up from 7.09%, while foreign direct investment reached a record US$27.62 billion.

Tourism is adding further momentum. Vietnam welcomed nearly 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, its strongest year for inbound tourism, while Ho Chi Minh City received nearly 8.6 million international visitors, up 40.3% year on year.

Branded residences are following the same trajectory. Savills reports that branded residences in Asia Pacific increased by 55% over the past five years, while C9 Hotelworks’ Asia Branded Residences Market Review 2025 points to Vietnam as one of the region’s most important future supply markets.

For Masterise Group, One Central Saigon extends an international branded real estate portfolio that includes Grand Marina, Saigon, featuring Marriott and JW Marriott-branded residences, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Hanoi at The Grand. It also gives Vietnam’s ultra-luxury real estate growth story tangible form beside one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most prized historical sites.

As the city enters a new phase of development, expanding in both scale and quality, thoughtfully planned and professionally operated integrated developments such as One Central Saigon are expected to enrich the city’s tourism, services and urban experience ecosystem. The project is positioned to create lasting value for the community and elevate the standing of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam on the international stage.

Hashtag: #MasteriseGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

A proposal to run a floating sauna in a popular Te Anau reserve has gone up in steam in the face of public backlash.

The plan was for people to sweat it out on a floating pontoon on Lake Henry with the option to finish with a cold plunge.

Floating Sauna Limited first applied for a licence to occupy in Ivon Wilson Park under the Reserves Act back in 2024 – it was granted a resource consent in February.

The Southland District Council spent hours discussing the many concerns residents raised at a meeting on Wednesday.

In the busy tourist town of Te Anau, Diana Zadravec said Ivon Wilson Park was a welcome patch of tranquility

“We really appreciate to have one space in town that is not commercialised, that is not pre-dominantly for tourism,” she said.

She and others have been fighting to keep the floating sauna from setting up shop on the lake at its heart.

“It’s just the place you can go and just walk and have quiet and have peace, and it’s just incredible. There’s this little lake in the middle that’s like the jewel in it.”

The company’s application said the saunas would create a new way to appreciate the park without compromising the enjoyment of the wider reserve and it would provide a year round opportunity for residents and visitors to “provide for their health and well-being”.

Earlier this year, council received 210 submissions on the planned sauna – 170 were against it and 37 backed the proposal.

Councillors considered those points of view at Wednesday’s meeting, with councillor Matt Wilson saying residents had ensured their voices were heard.

“Lake Henry is only this big. There’s three public platforms and one out of three of them would be commercialised so that sentiment from the submissions, I think, really does need to stand,” he said.

Many residents did not want to see a business on a lake they treasured, he said.

“The acknowledgement that Te Anau’s got a strong tourism economy but the park was cited as a space where locals could step away from the commercial tourism and go to a local space that wasn’t commercialised.”

Councillor Jaspreet Boparai agreed.

“Multiple people said that the jetty’s the first place we head to when we visit the park,” she said.

A resource consent for the saunas was granted in February.

But councillor Don Byars said that should not mean the community’s environmental concerns were discounted, especially as the saunas were wood-fired.

“Heating saunas to accommodate 160-something people (a day), I would have thought that on balance that there is going to be an effect of smoke in that park. I don’t see how you can rule that out,” he said.

When it came to decision time, no one backed the proposal and it was declined.

Diana Zadravec said it was the right call to make.

“I think it was never a question of whether the community supported a sauna project, it was just not the right location for it,” she said.

“I was really impressed with the robustness of the discussion that was held by the council. It was a very thorough and long discussion about it.”

A floating sauna on Lake Henry might be off the cards, but some locals hope the idea will not lose steam – just find somewhere else to go.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – In a bold bid to reshape the future of retail, Siam Piwat Group has unveiled NEXTOPIA at its flagship Siam Paragon, the world’s first prototype for a global sustainability platform that turns eco-conscious living into an immersive, everyday experience.

Chief Executive Officer Chadatip Chutrakul introduced the project during The Economist’s 5th annual Sustainability Week Asia, recently held in Bangkok, positioning NEXTOPIA as more than a response to necessity but as a genuine driver of business leadership and vision.

The vision for the future of retail is built on three interconnected pillars: co-creation with founders and partners, collaboration with tenants and communities, and customers. Together, they redefine retail as a platform shaped by shared purpose, creativity, and participation. This extends to redefining customer relationships through trust, inspiring customers to visit more often, spend more time, and deepen engagement within our ecosystem.

“Sustainability is no longer optional,” Chutrakul said. “We must accelerate and make a bold move. Real, lasting impact is never created alone. It requires co-creation across industries, united by purpose, in a place that captures the world’s attention and inspires change for the greater good.”

Launched in November 2025, the 15,000-square-meter attraction at Siam Paragon, a global landmark that draws more than 200,000 visitors daily, including a significant share of international tourists aims to move sustainability “beyond awareness into joyful and engaging experiences in everyday life,” she added.

Developed with more than 50 partners, NEXTOPIA operates under the theme “Co-creating Communities for a Better World.” It features infrastructure contributions from companies including B.Grimm, SCG, Indorama and Kasikornbank, incorporating solar energy, sustainable materials, advanced water systems, and cooling and clean air technologies.

The project has achieved zero waste to landfill, cut energy consumption by 47%, reduced water use by 34% and lowered carbon emissions from construction materials by 59%. Within a year, water savings are projected to be equivalent to the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Over two years, decarbonization efforts will deliver the environmental benefit of creating a vast urban park.

NEXTOPIA is Thailand’s first multi-tenant retail building to earn EDGE Advanced certification for resource efficiency and a two-star Fitwel rating. It also received the Best in Building Health Award 2026 from Fitwel, achieving top scores for its design and quality-of-life features.

Tenants must adhere to some 50 sustainability criteria covering waste management and value chain practices, with many exceeding standard industry benchmarks. Siam Piwat developed the framework over three years to help partners adopt sustainable practices quickly while cutting costs and unlocking new value.

Interactive elements at NEXTOPIA invite visitors to participate directly, with kinetic floors and bicycles that generate electricity for redeemable rewards, alongside exhibits featuring Thailand’s largest collection of recycled art, created by artists from waste collected nationwide. ECOTOPIA, the country’s biggest eco-store, stocks more than 110,000 sustainable products, many recycled or upcycled, sourced from around 300 Thai communities and small businesses.

The project has also brought together more than 30 local communities and global organizations, including the United Nations, World Food Programme, UNDP Biofin and WWF, to exchange knowledge and ideas.

More than a shopping destination, NEXTOPIA functions as a living laboratory for experimenting and exchanging ideas that retail and real estate developers worldwide could adapt. It marks a strategic evolution for Siam Piwat, transforming the company from a premier retail developer into what it describes as “a global sustainability platform” that links businesses, people and innovation.

This shift aligns with intensifying global pressure on companies to meet their sustainability commitments under the Paris Agreement, as brands and consumers increasingly demand verifiable environmental action.

With NEXTOPIA, Siam Piwat is betting that the future of retail lies not just in selling goods, but in creating spaces where sustainability feels tangible, measurable and above all inspiring.

Setting a new benchmark for co-created, revolutionary retail, NEXTOPIA offers a scalable model that delivers both business value and meaningful impact – one that can be adopted globally.

Hashtag: #SiamParagon #NEXTOPIA #Sustainability #PrototypeCity #NetZero #TheEconomist #SustainabilityWeekAsia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Whakatane council is looking to restore a walk that is said to capture the essence of the town but with little council funding.

Local councils have had expenditures piling up from water services to storm repairs and now a planned rates cap casting a shadow on how councils can maintain public amenities.

Whakatane’s Nga Tapuwae o Toi walkway is currently facing this issue, after rainfall and slips left parts of the track damaged.

The loop track spans over around 18 kilometres, going from town and around Kohi Point then over to Ōhope Beach.

While the track was not entirely closed there were parts of it that remain inaccessible and people needed to walk onto the road to complete the loop.

The district council’s general manager community experience Alexandra Pickles told Nine to Noon they were hoping for a community initiative to help fund the restoration of the special walk.

“We believe it’s a national treasure. It’s not only accessible right from the centre of town, it has a significant cultural history.”

The track is home to one of Aotearoa’s earliest known pā sites, the eponymous ancestor of Ngā Te Awa Toi. The name of the walkway itself translates to “the footsteps of Toi”

“It was an area that was travelled hundreds of years ago and is a beautiful place just to enjoy. We also have one of New Zealand’s only urban Kiwi populations right there as well.”

Given the track’s significance, the Department of Conservation had been interested in establishing the walkway as a “great one-day walk”.

However, as beautiful as the walk is, Pickles said the geology had presented some challenges.

“It is quite soft in terms of the composition of the rock with sandstone and greywacke, which likes to crumble and fall over time.”

She said significant rainfall in 2022 had caused a major slip in the section that goes from the West End Beach in Ōhope over to to Ōtarawairere Bay, which closed the track for that period of time.

Council had been able to put in some funding at the time and acquired some tourism infrastructure funding to carry out storm damage repairs. However, it wasn’t long before more damage had struck.

“Just as that funding was approved, we had another significant slip… which meant that there was now a greater requirement to understand what the repair might look like and what that would cost, knowing that it would be significant.”

She said since the first slip they had been able to identify engineered solutions but costs to execute these solutions stood in the way.

“The cost of those are taking us down to the millions of dollars in order to complete the entirety of that and with our health and safety obligations to do that in a way that’s taking all steps that are reasonably practicable.”

Pickles said they had rallied a group of volunteers with varied expertise and a joint passion for the walkway.

The next step was to put out a request for proposal that would give community-based people with skills an opportunity to help fund the restoration in a safe and feasible way.

“If it plays out how we would like it to play out, then this could be a model for other things that, during fiscal constraints, mean that councils and communities can work together in order to get the best outcomes, not just rate-funded outcomes.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Critical sections of State Highway 1 (SH1) between Tīrau and Waiouru have had a major upgrade, with 128 lane kilometres of the North Island’s backbone now rehabilitated or resealed, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“The SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance programme condensed four seasons of road maintenance into just two, improving the quality, safety and longevity of some of the most travelled and in-need-of-repair sections of SH1 in Waikato,” Mr Bishop says.

“Prior to this project, something of this magnitude has never been attempted on our state highways, especially the block road closures of SH1 that were necessary to deliver intensive road rebuilding in the shortest possible time,” Mr Bishop says. 

“The project’s completion on schedule is a testament to forward thinking and a huge amount of focused work, which benefits everyone, from our freight and tourism industries, to all those travelling, working and living in this region.

“The project was funded by the Government’s $2.07 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention fund and means 27 per cent of the 220km corridor has been significantly upgraded, also accounting for future traffic growth.

“Between July 2022 and April 2024, 5,670 potholes were repaired on SH1 between Piarere (the SH1/SH29 intersection) and Waiouru (the SH1/SH49 intersection). Many parts of this route required urgent attention and an alternative approach to patching up potholes and rebuilding short pieces of road. 

“In designing this ambitious programme, all upcoming rebuilds and asphalt work planned for the 2024–2027 period and rebuild and structural asphalt sites planned for 2027–2030 were brought together and prioritised. 

“The completed work delivers a safer and smoother journey between Tīrau and Waiouru for all road users.”

Notes to editor: 

The SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance project has seen:

• 128.6 lane kms* completed, including:
• 56.8 lane kms of foam bitumen stabilising, on top of which 46.2 lane kms of thin asphalt concrete was installed
• 26.6 lane kms of structural asphalt concrete
• 45.2 lane kms of resurfacing, of which 40.7 lane kms is chipseal and 4.5 lane kms is a thin asphalt concrete layer
• 198,366 tonnes of aggregate used
• 106,560 tonnes of asphalt used
• 10km of subsoil installed and 7kms of kerb and channel
• 5km of barriers installed
• 35 contracting firms on the go at once
• 470,000 roadcrew hours clocked
• Zero time lost due to injuries.

* Rather than simply the distance between points A and B, lane kilometres count the number of lanes on a road. This provides a more accurate picture of the work delivered, as it incorporates elements such as passing lanes.

MIL OSI

The government is pushing on with conservation reforms it says cut red tape and enable fees for foreign tourists visiting New Zealand’s premium natural areas.

The opposition warns it opens up 60 percent of the conservation estate to sale, and changes how current treaty settlements are interpreted.

The Conservation Amendment Bill passed its first reading supported by the coalition parties, and opposed by the opposition – 68 votes to 54.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka – who called it the most significant reform to conservation law in 40 years – said it was about modernising the management of conservation land and supporting economic growth.

The bill enables international visitors to be charged a levy for access to some areas of conservation land, with the minister saying those details would be worked out at a later date.

“Yes, we are going to charge foreigners to go on some tracks around the country,” Potaka told Parliament.

“Conservation and economic development do not sit in opposition to one another all the time. Done properly they can support one another – that’s what we believe in.”

The bill also makes changes to how concessions – permissions for tourism and other operations on conservation land – are managed; enables “amenity areas” where buildings like toilets or potentially eateries could be established; simplifies planning in line with the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms; and amends or clarifies how Treaty Settlement and Takutai Moana rights are upheld.

Labour’s conservation spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan warned it would also open up 60 percent of conservation land to being sold, including areas home to species considered ‘at risk’ rather than endangered – like the Lewis Pass beech forests.

She said it went far further than modernisation.

“It’s a sneaky, egregious bill that goes so much further, it is the most significant rollback of conservation protections in a generation and it puts commercialisation over conservation. And that minister should be ashamed.”

The Greens co-leader Marama Davidson was similarly outraged, saying the coalition had chosen to put profit over the environment – particularly given the $135 million in cuts to the Department of Conservation during this term.

She said it would also put more power in the hands of ministers, while reducing independent and public oversight.

The ACT Party’s Cameron Luxton argued the changes would prioritise people.

“For too long, New Zealand has had a conservation system that often treats people as the problem. It has treated a new track, a new hut, a new wharf, a better facility … or a business who’s looking to provide an experience, as something suspicious before it’s even been considered.”

NZ First’s Andy Foster welcomed the faster processing of concessions and the new Treaty clause, saying rather than removing the existing clause “which would have been quite good in our view, I think, is to interpret what this means”.

“As I read it, it says ‘you are going to engage’.”

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi warned however it would have a chilling effect on those yet to reach a Treaty settlement, describing the bill as another part of the coalition’s “ram raid” on conservation.

“This demonstrates a blanket lack of good faith, and only adds to the iwi Māori suspicion of the Crown’s ability to act with honour,” he said.

“Amending settlement legislation cannot be taken lightly – how can this government believe it can amend any legislation regarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi when it continues to fail to uphold it?”

Potaka, however, was adamant the government remained committed to honouring settlements and good-faith negotiations.

“We want to be clear, the wording of section 4 is not being changed,” he said.

“This bill provides greater certainty about what it means, and of course members of the opposition know there is no veto – that’s what the Supreme Court said and that’s what this government says.”

The bill’s first reading came the same day the coalition announced it would override the Supreme Court, which had agreed a lawsuit challenging companies’ climate records under tort law could go ahead.

In a move the activist taking the case – iwi leader Mike Smith – called “an affront to democracy”, the government now planned to ban such cases.

After the bill’s passage, the next piece of legislation up for debate was the second reading of legislation that would abolish the Ministry for the Environment, so the government could merge the department into the new MCERT (Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport) mega-ministry.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo opens today at The Venetian Macao, bringing together global leaders across gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts as digital innovation continues to reshape the industry’s next phase of growth.

Taking place from May 12-14, 2026, the co-located events are expected to welcome 8,000 industry professionals from over 90 countries and regions. Spanning more than 30,000 sqm, the exhibition features over 150 brands showcasing next-generation technologies, immersive solutions, and digital infrastructure across the sector.

Against the backdrop of an estimated ~8% annual growth trajectory in Asia’s integrated resorts sector, according to a 2025 report by Research and Markets, the event underscores the region’s accelerating role as a global growth engine, where technology innovation and rising demand are increasingly converging.

Reflecting this shift, “Asia’s integrated resorts sector is entering a pivotal phase of transformation, as markets across the region continue to evolve with a broader mix of tourism, entertainment and lifestyle experiences,” said Yip Je Choong, Senior Vice President, Commercial, APAC, RX (Reed Exhibitions). “With G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo co-located, we are creating a platform that brings together stakeholders across the value chain to support innovation, collaboration and long-term, sustainable growth.”

Across the exhibition floor and conference programs, key industry leaders are actively engaging with peers to exchange insights and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Leading Industry Figures Mark Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony, held in the Expo Hall, officially marked the commencement of G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo 2026, with senior industry figures from across gaming, hospitality, and entertainment in attendance.

Guests included: (List to be provided)

Their participation reflects the industry’s sustained engagement and long-term commitment to advancing innovation across integrated resorts, gaming, and entertainment ecosystems.

Conference Programs Led by Global Industry Voices

G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo each feature dedicated three-day programs led by senior industry figures addressing technologies, regulations, and market forces shaping the sector’s future.

On Tuesday, May 12, Mr. Grant Chum, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd., delivers the opening keynote for G2E Asia Conference and Asian IR Summit, setting the strategic tone with insights into global industry trends shaping gaming and entertainment.

On Thursday, May 14, Mr. Mario Yau Kwan Ho, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of NIP Group INC., and Co-owner of Boston Celtics, is set to present a keynote for Asian IR Summit, offering perspectives on global market shifts and the evolving integrated resorts landscape.

Across both programs, speakers include:

• Mr. Adrian Lee, Head of Sales, Google Customer Solutions, Hong Kong & Macau, Google
• Mr. AI Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Dataworks Group
• Mr. Alan Teo, Chief Executive Officer, Hoiana Resort & Golf
• Mr. Cheng Wai Tong, Deputy Director, Macao Government Tourism Office
• Mr. Gregory Hawkins, President and Chief Operating Officer, Solaire
• Mr. Joseph Bufalino, Executive Director of Responsible Gambling, Marina Bay Sands
• Mr. Kenneth Feng, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, MGM China Holdings Limited
• Mr. Walt Power, Chief Executive Officer, The Grand Ho Tram
• And more.

Event Highlights Across May 12-14

Across three days, the co-located event presents a curated ecosystem of exhibition, education, and industry networking experiences.

Exhibition (May 12-14)
Discover innovation across gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts, with more than 150 brands spanning the full industry ecosystem.

G2E Asia Conference (May 12-14)
Access critical market insights, regulatory developments, and business opportunities across Asia from the region’s leading platform for gaming and entertainment leaders.

Asian IR Summit (May 12-14)
Explore strategic insights across hospitality, technology, sports, and entertainment with senior leaders across the evolving integrated resorts sector.

Tech Talk (May 12)
Gain actionable insights from leading experts on leveraging Artificial Intelligence, applying Machine Learning in real-world operations, and using data to drive smarter, more profitable decisions.

May 12 Slots Networking:
Engage in exclusive roundtables for slots operators and suppliers to co-design next-generation gaming cabinets with embedded biometric feedback.

May 12 G2E Asia After Party:
Unwind with industry peers at a Venetian-themed gala featuring a live preview of 2027’s most anticipated VR casino suite.

May 13 Table Games Networking:
Exchange insights between operators and providers on gameplay evolution, innovation, and future table game ecosystems.

Be Part of the Future of Entertainment and Integrated Resorts

Industry professionals from gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts sectors – including operators, providers, and hospitality experts – will gain strategic insights, networking opportunities, and explore cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of the sector.

Registration is available online and onsite.

To learn more about G2E Asia, visit www.G2EAsia.com.
To learn more about Asian IR Expo, visit www.AsianIRExpo.com.

Hashtag: #G2EAsia #AsianIRExpo2026

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Dunedin surfers and swimmers are being urged not to be complacent about the shark bell, which has been sounded multiple times in recent weeks.

The bell was installed at the St Clair beach in the 1960s after shark attacks in the area – three of them were fatal.

The bell usually stands silent for months on end, but it has been rung four times over the past two weeks.

Photographer Mark Stevenson has been surfing the breaks around Dunedin for nearly 50 years.

He has always been aware that he was not alone.

“They’re in the ocean, we can’t fool ourselves. They’re out there all the time even when you can’t see them,” he said.

“In the 70s and 80s when I first started surfing, we’d see sharks and white pointers and all sorts often, every week, especially over summer and after the attacks, we were more aware of them.”

There had been fewer encounters in recent years, but Stevenson said there were definite signs it was time to get out of the water.

“I could see all the birds and that flying around and you get this uneasy feeling. You sort of know somethings not right so I came in and went. As soon as I came in, the shark came in. It was a white pointer, chased most of the crew – there was about 10 guys out,” he said.

“One of the boys sort of got stuck on the outside, couldn’t get past it between the rocks and it just watched him.”

That was at Whareakeake, but they also visit St Clair beach – one of his favourite breaks.

“You get that feeling and I looked down and seen this black object moving around. The water’s been quite murky in the last week or two,” he said.

He was soon back on the shore.

“Next minute, it breached the water and the shark bell was rung … I went for a surf later in that afternoon and I could see it again just underneath me.”

Stevenson hoped the recent encounters would remind people to take the shark bell seriously if they heard it.

He was concerned some had become complacent after a lull in sightings.

St Clair is the homebreak for Jimi Higgins, the chair of Surfing New Zealand.

The number of recent sightings was unusual, he said.

“The locals understand what the shark bell is and the significance of the dangers and they respect it and listen to it,” he said.

“However, a lot of the student population or tourists don’t really pay much attention to it.

“When you’re down at St Clair, you see people taking photos of it. It becomes sort of a tourist attraction and I’d hate to think that that lowers the significance of what that is actually there for.”

It was a rare day to go surfing in Dunedin and not spot a seal or sea lion, Higgins said.

“You are going into their environment, into their domain so be respectful, whether it’s a seal, sea lion or shark. That’s their home. Give them space, exit the water and be safe,” he said.

“When you do hear the shark bell or you see people leaving the water because there’s a shark, you should follow suit and do the same.”

Shark nets used to be in place at St Kilda, St Clair and Brighton beaches each summer, but they were removed more than a decade ago over cost and environmental concerns.

Auckland Museum’s curator of marine biology Clinton Duffy said Dunedin had a reputation for sharks.

“There are several species that are relatively common around the Otago coast including Otago Peninsula. The most common large shark’s probably the sevengill, the broadnose sevengill shark.”

But attacks were rare – there was usually about one or two bites a year from a sevengill shark across the motu.

“We have a very, very low shark bite rate in New Zealand and even lower incidence of fatal shark attacks so, I mean, it’s still safer to be at the coast than on the roads,” he said.

So do not let them keep you out of the water, but if that bell rings, you know what to do

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Date:  12 May 2026

DOC Westport Principal Ranger Biodiversity Sean Judd says a group of four people – including a woman and three men, one of who is wearing a distinctive cowboy hat – were captured on CCTV footage on 3 April at the Banbury Mine near Denniston.

The historic site is fenced off to ensure the protection of the mining heritage structures and artifacts and ensure public safety.

“They’ve gone well past a fence and into an area where they shouldn’t be,” Sean says.

The area is a category one Historic Place and popular tourist attraction for people naturing in the Buller district. It showcases the old mine site, including the well-known Denniston Incline.

Many of the weathered artifacts remain at site and hint at the living and working conditions from the 1880s, when coal was first sent down the Denniston Incline, to 1967, when the mine closed.

“Our primary interest is how these people came to be in an enclosed off-limits heritage area at about 4.30pm on that day,” says Sean.

The CCTV footage shows the group of four people walking around the site. In one still from the footage, the man in the cowboy hat appears to pause to take a selfie while the rest of the group look around.

“There’s no apparent damage, and nothing’s been taken,” Sean says. “But we certainly don’t condone these people entering the site and we’d like a chat about how and why they entered the area.”

Sean acknowledges people can be fascinated by heritage sites and want to take a closer look.

“With heritage comes risk – the Banbury Mine, like many old mining sites, has structures at various levels of decay which have been closed off to ensure visitors are safe and are not injured.

“As well as the decaying buildings and artifacts, there’s also a significant fall risk further in, where there is no barrier protecting visitors from a sheer drop.

“We do not manage this location as a visitor site – and those risks to people are part of that approach.

“This incident is a very important reminder that DOC makes decisions about closing sites when we consider the location is not safe for visitors – and we ask the public to respect those closures.”

Sean says the people in the security camera footage, or anyone who can identify them, should contact 0800 DOC HOT and quote case CLE-11613.

Most people enjoy and experience nature and our beautiful taonga by doing the right thing – and we really appreciate that. Follow the rules, and we’ll be happy – and you’ll have a great experience naturing.

Unfortunately, when a few people or organisations don’t follow the rules, it further threatens our special places and threatened species.

DOC can’t be everywhere. If you see behaviour you think may break conservation rules, we’d like to know. You can call 0800 DOC HOT to report what you’ve seen or heard.

Contact

MIL OSI

Cuts to trans-Tasman flights due to higher fuel costs have tourism operators worried on the impact it will have on last-minute bookings.

Last month, Qantas said it would cut domestic flights as it flagged as much as NZ$966m in extra fuel costs.

It said it had reduced domestic capacity by about 5 percentage points in the fourth quarter.

In March, Jetstar said it would axe a number of flights – including some international between Auckland and Sydney and Auckland and Brisbane.

Regional Tourism New Zealand chair Andrew Wilson told Nine to Noon the impact hadn’t been felt yet, but feared it would implications on customers after late bookings.

“The frequency of service and the ability for people to be able to book probably last minute or to try and find something that meets a really specific kind of time frame,” he said.

“If people have got a narrow window to travel, that’s really the biggest worry around it.”

Wilson said there was still plenty of uncertainty in the industry over how long the impacts would be felt.

He said airlines would be cognizant in terms of wanting to make sure that it maintained services across the Tasman and into the long-haul markets.

“We’re pretty optimistic that the work we’ve done over the last couple of years to really kind of boost international arrivals, and in particular Australian arrivals, puts us in a good position,” Wilson said.

“I think demand for travelling to New Zealand is still really strong, but we certainly can’t afford to take our foot off the gas in terms of making sure that international visitors know just how incredible our country is.”

Wilson said consumer confidence had taken a dip in Australia, but he was encouraged by the number of arrivals to New Zealand.

He said while tourism operators in Queenstown and Christchurch would be nervous heading into the winter season, he was optimistic there was capacity for flights.

“I’m fairly confident there’ll still be sufficient capacity on those routes to get plenty of Australian skiers across the Tasman when we kind of head into the winter season,” Wilson said.

“We’ll all be looking out for that first good dump of snow down south, and I’m sure that’ll drive pretty significant kind of bookings at that point.”

Wilson still expected a slightly quieter winter season than usual.

The airlines wouldn’t want to be an airline operator at the moment in terms of balancing pricing and fuel costs with demand, he said.

“I think they’re doing a really good job in terms of trying to match enough flight services to meet the demand that’s there,” Wilson said.

“I think when we look forward through winter, we’re all feeling pretty comfortable in terms of there will be enough capacity on those routes.”

He said it was really the uncertainty of beyond the next summer season, where fuel prices would sit, and what that would mean for the tourism industry.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

High profile side Chelsea FC Women are to play at the International Football Festival in New Zealand.

They will take on an Auckland FC Invitational 11 at Eden Park on 8 August.

Former Football Ferns goalkeeper Jenny Bindon will coach the invitational team.

The Tottenham Spurs men’s team had already been confirmed to be at the festival. They play Auckland FC on 26 July.

Both Chelsea women’s and men’s teams and Tottenham Hotspur will also be playing in the Sydney Super Cup from 28 July to 12 August.

Chelsea, whose stars include Australia Matildas captain Sam Kerr, have a formidable record in UK football, having won eight Super League titles, six FA Cup finals and they were runners-up in the Champions League in the 2020-21 season. Their run of six straight Super League titles was broken last week by Manchester City, but they can still seal second place in their final match of the season this weekend.

The Chelsea visit to Auckland is being funded from the Government’s $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said in a statement.

“It is fantastic to welcome another world-class team to New Zealand, giving football fans the chance to see Chelsea in action thanks to the Government’s investment into attracting events of this calibre.

“This will be the first time a Women’s Super League club has played in New Zealand.

“The festival will provide a winter economic boost to Auckland by bringing buzz to hospitality and tourism businesses, creating more jobs and strengthening our economy.

“The matches will be broadcast globally showcasing New Zealand as a world-class destination for culture, sport and entertainment.”

Former Everton women’s coach Bindon is an assistant coach of the Football Ferns.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Fans will get a chance to see Chelsea F.C. Women in action at the International Football Festival, thanks to the Government’s $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

“Chelsea F.C. Women will take on Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI on Saturday 8 August at Eden Park, joining Tottenham Hotspur in New Zealand,” Louise Upston says.

“It is fantastic to welcome another world-class team to New Zealand, giving football fans the chance to see Chelsea in action thanks to the Government’s investment into attracting events of this calibre.

“This will be the first time a Women’s Super League club has played in New Zealand.

“The festival will provide a winter economic boost to Auckland by bringing buzz to hospitality and tourism businesses, creating more jobs and strengthening our economy. 

“The matches will be broadcast globally showcasing New Zealand as a world-class destination for culture, sport and entertainment. 

“It’s exciting to welcome Chelsea F.C. Women to Eden Park as women’s football in New Zealand continues to grow, building on the legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023,” Louise Upston says.

“I am proud of the work this Government has done attracting these showstopper events.”

Events supported through the Government’s Events Attraction Package include Linkin Park in Auckland, the Ultra Music Festival in Wellington, Robbie Williams in Auckland and Christchurch, the FIFA World Series in Auckland and the World Surf League Championship Tour in Raglan.

Notes to Editor

• The Events Attraction Package is part of a wider $70 million Major Events and Tourism package announced by the Government in September 2025.
• Individual funding amounts for each event will not be disclosed for commercial reasons. The total funding amount for all events supported by the Events Attraction Package will be released once all events are announced.
• Tickets start at $19 and are on sale from 12 May. 

MIL OSI

The signing ceremony took place on 7 May 2026 at Oriental Residence Bangkok. The agreement was signed by Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group; Mr. Donald Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Equatorial Group; and Mr. Shih Jiing-Fuh, President and Chief Executive Officer of LH Bank, in the presence of senior executives from all three organisations. The ceremony reflects the strategic collaboration between the project developer, hotel management company and financial institution in advancing the project into its full development phase.

Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, said, “EQ Phuket marks an important step in ONYX Hospitality Group’s strategy to expand its portfolio of luxury resorts. We see strong long-term potential in the Phuket market, and we are confident that this collaboration with strong partners in both development and finance will help drive the project towards successful completion in line with our plans, while creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

More than simply a new luxury hotel, EQ Phuket also represents a strategic initiative reflecting ONYX Hospitality Group’s long-term growth strategy. The development aims to strengthen the Group’s portfolio within the upper-upscale and luxury resort segment across the region. The project is expected to open in the second quarter of 2028 and will play an important role in supporting the Group’s long-term growth.

Mr. Donald Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Equatorial Group,said, “We are delighted to be working on this project, which brings our EQ brand to one of the world’s foremost tourist destinations. In 2019, the opening of our first EQ hotel in Kuala Lumpur re-energized the industry by quickly establishing itself as a landmark in the city. As a boutique brand, the combination of its elegance and chic aesthetics with exceptional warmth and hospitality was incredibly well-received. EQ continues to garner international recognition: for example in 2025, was named in Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of Top 100 Hotels in the World, placing at No. 22. We are incredibly excited to be working with ONYX Hospitality Group to introduce our EQ brand to Thailand.”

Mr. Shih Jiing-Fuh, President and Chief Executive Officer of LH Bank, revealed, “The bank has extended the loan facility of Baht 1,800 million to support the development of the EQ Phuket project, a luxury hotel located on Kata Beach, Phuket. LH Bank believes Phuket continues to stand as one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. We are confident that the EQ Phuket project will further enhance the island’s tourism potential and strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.”

This signing marks another significant milestone for the project following the joint venture agreement signed between ONYX Hospitality Group and Equatorial Group on 18 November 2024 to jointly develop the project. The development has a total investment value of approximately THB 2.8 billion. The financial support secured through this loan agreement reflects the confidence of the financial sector in the project’s potential, as well as in the continued growth of Phuket’s luxury tourism market.

Phuket remains one of the region’s leading destinations for high-spending travellers from Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, particularly within the upper-upscale and luxury resort segment, which continues to see strong growth potential. This is reflected in the island’s average hotel occupancy rate, which has increased to 69%, while the average daily room rate (ADR) rose from THB 4,717 in 2023 to THB 5,241 in 2024.

At the same time, the structure of Phuket’s international visitor mix has become increasingly diversified. Chinese travellers continue to represent the largest visitor segment, while arrivals from Russia and India have increased significantly. Combined with the continued recovery of long-haul travel and growing demand for high-quality leisure experiences in distinctive destinations, Phuket remains a highly attractive market for long-term luxury resort development.

The EQ Phuket project will be located on a beachfront site in the northern area of Kata Beach, Phuket, covering approximately 32 rai of land. The resort will feature approximately 170 keys, comprising 11 pool villas, 27 suites and 132 standard guest rooms.

Luxury facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant, pool bar, two swimming pools, kids club, spa, fitness centre and large-scale event and banquet spaces. The beachfront area is planned to be developed into a beach club and sports and lifestyle hub, further enhancing the luxury resort experience and offering a comprehensive range of leisure facilities.

The project is designed to cater to high-end travellers seeking a premium hospitality experience in a distinctive and private beachfront location.

For more information about ONYX Hospitality Group, please visit: www.onyx-hospitality.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-hospitality-group/
https://www.facebook.com/ONYXHospitalityGroup
https://www.instagram.com/onyxhospitalitygroup/

Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup #HospitalityIndustry #AsiaPacificTravel

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MUMBAI, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 May 2026 – Vinpearl Joint Stock Company has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip, three of India’s leading travel and tourism companies. The strategic partnerships are aimed at directly and comprehensively reaching all customer segments, helping position Vietnam as a “preferred destination” in the world’s most populous country.

The agreements were signed at the Vietnam–India Business Forum, held as part of the State visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to India, in the presence of General Secretary and President To Lam and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.

The partnerships are expected to open direct access channels to all customer segments, stimulate travel demand and experiential tourism, and ultimately position Vietnam as a “preferred destination” for India’s 1.47 billion people.

Representing India are three of the country’s most influential and trusted travel distribution channels: Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip. Thomas Cook India has strong expertise in group travel, corporate travel, and large-scale MICE tourism. SOTC Travel is well known for family vacations, group tours, and mid- to high-end leisure travel. Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel platform, has a strong advantage in reaching younger travelers, independent tourists, and digitally-driven booking behaviors.

Representing Vietnam is Vinpearl, the country’s leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, operating nearly 60 properties nationwide. Its diverse five-star “all-in-one” ecosystem offers accommodation, shopping, dining, entertainment, golf, and MICE services, making it particularly well-suited to the travel preferences of Indian visitors, including large group travel, multi-generational family vacations, and experience-rich holidays.

Through these partnerships, the parties aim to maximize each other’s strengths, enhance tourism development capabilities, and shape tailored travel products, gradually positioning Vietnam as a “preferred destination” for Indian travelers in the near future.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, CEO of Vinpearl, said: “India is one of the key markets in Vinpearl’s international expansion strategy. Through partnerships with leading industry players, we are not only broadening our market reach but also proactively developing products tailored to each customer segment. Vinpearl aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian market while contributing to positioning Vietnam as an attractive and distinctive destination on the global tourism map.”

Mr. Anubhav Bansal, Vice President of MakeMyTrip and representative of the three Indian partners, added: “Vinpearl operates one of the region’s leading integrated tourism and hospitality ecosystems, with a scale, product diversity, and destination experience portfolio that increasingly align with the preferences of Indian travelers. We believe Vinpearl is playing an important role in positioning Vietnam as an attractive destination for this market. Combined with the extensive distribution strengths of both sides, this partnership is expected to significantly boost Indian tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the coming years.”

India is currently the world’s most populous country, with 1.47 billion people. The country’s rapidly expanding middle class is driving a strong surge in demand for international travel.

Recognizing the strategic importance of the Indian market, Vinpearl has not only leveraged its scale and integrated “all-in-one” ecosystem but has also continuously developed specialized offerings for Indian travelers, including luxury wedding tourism, MICE travel, multi-generational family holidays, group trips, and couple getaways. In 2025, the number of Indian guests staying within the Vinpearl system surged by a record 402% year-on-year, followed by a further 335% increase during the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.

The signing of MoUs with these three major market access partners marks the next step in Vinpearl’s strategy to sustainably grow its visitor base from the 1.47 billion-population Indian market, while also helping position Vietnam as a “preferred destination” for Indian travelers.

https://vinpearl.com/en

Hashtag: #Vinpearl

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MIL OSI