Australian gay and lesbian couples are already lining up to marry in New Zealand, with marriage equality advocates estimating it will pump millions into the economy.

One leader says some of the Government's $158 million boost for promoting tourism should stay in this country.

Auckland city's tourism and economic development body is hoping for a big return from a major conference for travel industry leaders from around the world.

With more than 1.1 million passenger days spent in New Zealand, the country's ports have survived the biggest cruise season on record - but only just.

A national appeal to help a cash strapped government department will get underway today.

A Government-commissioned report into the booming Chinese tourism market finds visa processes should be streamlined to encourage travel by "low risk" high-spending visitors.

A tourist industry group is worried about the impact of cuts at the Department of Conservation while another organisation says more charging for visitors is inevitable.

He brought the world to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup. Now Martin Snedden is bringing New Zealand to the world, writes Suzanne McFadden

Peter Dunne has sent a "time bomb warning" to Prime Minister John Key, saying his "cut through" approach risks becoming "a major problem".

A superyacht service business says the country is not doing enough to promote high end tourism.

The one thing that stood out to me is the sheer number of tourists that Waiheke pumps through each day, especially over summer, writes Dita De Boni.

Prime Minister John Key has backed away from statements to Parliament about SkyCity hatching a land deal with TVNZ.

TVNZ says it has had no approach from SkyCity to buy its land for the proposed convention centre, contrary to the Prime Minister's assurances yesterday.

Officials in one of Prime Minister John Key's departments disregarded Treasury advice to seek guidance in how to conduct SkyCity talks with honesty and integrity.

SkyCity got special treatment in its pitch to build the international convention centre - but nothing which will get in the way of a formal deal being struck.

SkyCity got special treatment on talks around the international convention centre after the Prime Minister personally intervened.

The high New Zealand dollar has been partly blamed for a sharp dip in international visitor spending to its lowest level since 2001.

Increasing pokie machine numbers at SkyCity doesn't mean more machines in New Zealand, says the Prime Minister.

New Zealand is losing its appeal to its most important source of overseas visitors - Australia, according to a survey.

Tourism groups are looking at ways to reform the tightly controlled Chinese visitor market one industry leader says is failing to deliver the benefits it should.

New Zealand is the third-most expensive place in the world to visit based on the prices of meals, drinks and other tourist items, says a British survey.

The world's most populous nation has toppled the UK as NZ's second-biggest pool for visitors, though still well behind Australia.