Auckland international aircraft movements rose 4.1 per cent to 41,819 last year, according to the airport’s December monthly traffic update, even as total international passengers, which includes transits and transfers, declined 1.9 per cent to 7.34 million.
“There’s been an increase in supply, trans-Tasman, from the likes of Jetstar, Pacific Blue and Emirates,” said communications adviser Richard Llewellyn. “This has translated into steady growth, trans-Tasman, and that’s why” there had been an increase in international flights, he said.
If you are travelling overseas then ensure you have taken out travel insurance old so you are covered.
February 5th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment
Many people come to New Zealand for a vacation and love it so much that they want to stay on. This is no surprise as NZ is world renowned as one of the safest and friendliest places to live, as well as for having one of the most unique and beautiful environments, with a plethora of outdoor activities to choose from. As one of the most popular tourist destinations, this international appeal extends further to individuals and families who wish to make the move to New Zealand permanently.
In accordance with immigration policy, there are various categories under which entry may be applied for, including the skilled migrants, business and investment, family quotas, refugee status, and other miscellaneous categories relating to the relationships New Zealand has with its Pacific neighbours. However, the skilled migrant category is by far the main pathway to residency in New Zealand, ensuring that those people entering the country have the desired skills, experience and knowledge to further contribute to the growth of the economy and the creation of employment opportunities.
The skilled migrant category works under a point system, whereby points are earned on the basis of your qualifications, experience and job offer in New Zealand. The process by which this is applied for can be quite confusing to the new arrival, with various stages in the application process which must be strictly adhered to. At the first step, an expression of interest must be submitted, and upon obtaining the required points, the application will be entered into a pool of suitably qualified individuals. Immigration New Zealand will then screen the applications, only choosing the highest qualified, to invite to apply for residency. At this stage, requests are made for all documentation relating to the application, including passports, medical examinations, certificates and other documents verifying your qualifications and experience. The application is then assessed and a decision to grant or deny residency made.
Good luck to anyone considering the permanent move to NZ. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance if you are heading to NZ.
January 22nd, 2010 | Category: Immigration | Leave a comment
Kaikoura truly is a special place particularly to anyone who cares dearly about the environment, both on land and sea.
Kaikoura is the first place in New Zealand and the second in the world to be green globe accredited, affirming the community’s commitment to the environment.
Whale Watch is an example of the Maori principle of kaitiakitanga in practice. It implies guardianship, care and protection, making environmental and cultural protection part of the heritage that all New Zealanders share.
Staying true to New Zealand’s 100% Pure tagline is something that the tourism industry in New Zealand works hard at – whether its helping to control pests on conservation land, creating economic opportunities for local communities, or decreasing carbon footprints.
December 4th, 2009 | Category: Adventure | Leave a comment
New Zealand is struggling to entice International tourists to its far off land partly due to increased competition from other countries near Europe and America and the global slowdown too.
Domestic tourists spent $12.4 billion in the year ended March 2009, an increase of 2.6 percent from the previous year. While international tourist expenditure declined by 0.9 percent — the first fall since figures were first collected in 1999.
Ministry of Tourism research manager Bruce Bassett said the first half of 2009 was the most challenging period for international tourism globally.
“And to actually come through that with a pretty modest decline, I think is a pretty good result.”
Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar said the impact of the global recession was softened by the large numbers of Australian visitors, New Zealand’s largest international visitor market.
Despite the slight decline in international tourism, it contributed $9.3b (16.4 percent) to New Zealand’s total exports of goods and services, second to dairy products at $10b (17.6 percent).
According to travel magazine Australia the numbers of Aussies crossing the Tasman will go up.
Overall, the tourism industry proved its resilience as total tourism expenditures rose by 1.1 percent ($226 million) to $21.7b.
October 29th, 2009 | Category: tourism | Leave a comment
Immigration New Zealand has announced that their policy to skilled immigration has remained competitive in the current economic climate.
Whilst the global recession has caused some countries to request temporary workers without work to go home or to severely slash the number of skills on immigration shortage lists, New Zealand has been less affected.
Andrew Annakin, head of Immigration New Zealand, said their policy towards skilled migration was “generally more moderate” than that of other countries. New Zealand was less affected than some other countries, allowing them to better control immigration to the country, minimising the “dramatic responses” to immigration that some nations have recently implemented.
Mr Annakin also said New Zealand’s 6 per cent unemployment rate was lower than in many OECD countries, where the average is 8 per cent.
He reiterated that New Zealand will always need skilled migration, and said that by allowing the “availability of unemployed New Zealanders and the reduction in employment to manage the flow of temporary work permits”, the country was able to ensure the skills base necessary for after the recession whilst managing employment levels and still allowing for skilled migration. LF
September 5th, 2009 | Category: General, Immigration, tourism | Leave a comment
Travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand are to be reduced, allowing their citizens to enter one anothers’ countries more easily, opening up their borders in an a move towards a joint economic market.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his New Zealand counterpart John Key have this week agreed to a joint plan that aims to increase airline travel between the two countries. The trans-Tasman agreement will see the average time it takes Australians who travel to New Zealand, some one million every year, to get through custom processing reduced from twelve to eight minutes.
Under the new relaxation of border security between the countries, Australians not considered high-risk travelling to New Zealand would be able to check in electronically and scan their own passports through customs checkpoints.
Rudd spoke of both his and Key’s commitment to the “idea of a single economic market” as a way to improve both business communities. The two leaders have also discussed further unificiation of their economies, as well as the establishment of a joint military corps similar to the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) which first fought together in World War I.
Qantas spokesman David Epstein said that the changes would lead to increased tourism, providing mutual economic benefits, although ideally border controls between the two countries would be dropped completely, making travel between Australia and New Zealand like travelling between domestic airports. Such a shift could reduce trans-Tasman fares by up to thirty per cent.
August 28th, 2009 | Category: Flights, Travel, tourism | Leave a comment
Jetstar, a Qantas subsidiary, has not had a successful start in New Zealand since announcing its New Zealand schedule two months ago; facing complaints for unacceptable delays, canceled flights and rude staff.
Air New Zealand had previously been critical of the rival carrier, and has now called for proof that Jetstar can run a punctual domestic service. Reports now say that Jetstar has accused Air New Zealand of trying to sabotage its brand new service.
Such rows demonstrate how airlines are doing everything to get ahead of their rivals to draw in custom during difficult financial times, and by demonstrating a good time record, Air New Zealand gains an advantage.
August 13th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment
Prime Minister John Key has announced that more cycle routes are to commence construction between Lake Wakatipu to Bluff. The routes costing $50 million and being built over three years, creating an estimated 300 jobs.
The projects that have been selected for ‘Quick Start’ are: Waikato River Trail, Central North Island Rail Trail, Mount Ruapehu to Wanganui, St James Trail, Hokianga to Opua/Russell, Hauraki Plains Trail and Southland Around the Mountain Rail Trail.
The routes will generate economic, social and environmental benefits for the communities , riding through some of the most beautiful sceneries New Zealand has to offer and creating growing business for all cycling companies.
MP Kevin Hague has supported the development, agreeing it will be a great introduction to enhancing low carbon travel and a fabulous boost to the countries tourism at the same time.
July 27th, 2009 | Category: Adventure | Leave a comment
Good news for anyone who is heading to NZ with their bike!
The NZ Govt has announced it will spend $50 million over three years to build the cycle network as part of an infrastructure program to increase the number of tourists going to NZ.
Other planned infrastructure developments being pursued by Tourism New Zealand include a national convention centre capable of handling up to 4,000 people, and plans to improve the country’s cruise port facilities. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the cycleway initiative would create a series of ‘Great Rides’ of New Zealand that would have the long term aim of creating a network throughout the country.
July 7th, 2009 | Tags: bike touring, cycling nz | Category: Adventure | Leave a comment
Jetstar says it is “ironic” that Air New Zealand is offering disgruntled Jetstar customers cheap airline tickets.
The offer followed a horror start for the fledgling Jetstar operation in New Zealand, as customers complained about being stranded by its 30-minute check-in policy or were delayed, often by hours.
Air NZ made the $50 offer yesterday to anyone who had bought Jetstar tickets and been frustrated by their service.
Tickets had to have been purchased by yesterday and the offer would be available until after the school holidays on July 19.
Jetstar executive manager commercial David Koczkar said today it was “ironic” that it was only after Jetstar’s entry into the New Zealand market that Air NZ decided to offer customers low fares – “and not even to their own customers, but to ours”.
“We thank Air New Zealand for finally supporting the concept of truly low fare travel.
June 25th, 2009 | Tags: airnz, jetstar, trans tasman travel | Category: Travel | Leave a comment
