Unemployment is continuing to dog Auckland and hinder its economic recovery as employers express reluctance to take on new staff.

A tourism revival may offset coal mining job losses as Queensland grapples with the highest unemployment in almost a decade.

SkyCity says it has been "victimised" in the debate over the Convention Centre deal, but a law change to allow increased gambling has the potential to go ahead.

Auckland's $400 million International Convention Centre has come a step closer amid heated accusations that MPs failed to vote with their conscience in backing a law change which will allow increased gambling facilities at SkyCity.

New Zealanders are split down the middle over dual proposals to cut a tunnel or monorail track through parts of Fiordland which contain some of the country's greatest walking tracks.

Visitor arrivals in May were up 9 per cent from the same month last year, Statistics New Zealand said today.

The New Zealand government and SkyCity Entertainment Group are giving themselves another fortnight to cut a deal on the terms for the casino and hotel operator to build a $402 million convention centre in Auckland in exchange for regulatory concessions.

Controversial plans for a $100 million 27-level Dunedin hotel have been knocked back.

Auckland tourism leaders hope a new deal with travel agency Flight Centre will attract 20,000 more Australian visitors to the region.

Scarfie favourite, Dunedin's Captain Cook Tavern, could close by the middle of this month.

Former Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden has apologised to China, its people and Government for telling an audience never to trust the Chinese.

Tourism New Zealand is hoping to double the number of international tourists who come here to play golf as part of a new strategy to attract higher spending visitors.

Editorial: The benefits in terms of new business, growth and jobs are readily apparent. The other side of the story is, however, less alluring.

Moller Architects' Gordon Moller and son Craig have been working with SkyCity Entertainment Group for some years.

SkyCity shares have jumped after details of a controversial convention centre deal with the Government were announced today.

Details of the controversial SkyCity convention centre deal with the Government have been announced, with the listed casino operator paying $402m for the new centre.

Auckland International Airport isn't profiteering and is a expecting reasonable return over the coming four years, according to the antitrust regulator.

The annual tourist industry showcase attracted over 1000 people this week. The Herald examines some key themes emerging from the $23 billion industry and why it is bouncing back.

The Department of Conservation is working with other groups to open a multi-day visitor experience on Rangitoto and Motutapu and wants the tourism industry to come up with ideas on how to run it.

A tourism chief is warning part of New Zealand's $100 million-plus marketing push overseas could be wasted if visitors continue to get attacked in this country.

A tourism boss has defended New Zealand against claims it has a growing reputation as an expensive international destination.