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Home / Travel
April exodus: Akl Airport braces for bumper month as trains shut down and Wellington booms
Travel news

April exodus: Akl Airport braces for bumper month as trains shut down and Wellington booms

The capital is shaping up as the country's hotspot with over 100,000 visiting for events.

ReviewsJenni Mortimer

Is the Whittaker's Chocolate Hotel Sweet at Hotel Fitzroy good or a gimmick?

The Herald checks into the Fitzroy, Ponsonby, to give you the first look inside.

Travel

Eight smart ways to survive a short cruise and still feel refreshed

From advance bookings to smart packing, these tips make short cruises better.


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Hit or miss? We try out Aurora Expeditions’ new ship
Travel

Hit or miss? We try out Aurora Expeditions’ new ship

Enjoy in-depth exploration showcasing the world's most remote locations.

 A first-time cruiser on the pros and cons of river versus ocean
Travel

A first-time cruiser on the pros and cons of river versus ocean

"There was a lot to love. However, it also wasn’t quite what I expected."

Should you book a ship’s maiden voyage or wait for the teething to pass?
Travel

Should you book a ship’s maiden voyage or wait for the teething to pass?

How to experience London like a royal VIP
Travel

How to experience London like a royal VIP

Pacific-bound flights turned around over aircraft problems
Talanoa

Pacific-bound flights turned around over aircraft problems

The Tahiti cruise that showcases so much more than sun, sea and sand
Travel

The Tahiti cruise that showcases so much more than sun, sea and sand

Holiday home-swapping could save you $2000 a week. Here's how to do it
Travel

Holiday home-swapping could save you $2000 a week. Here's how to do it

How to do it, both in NZ and overseas, and the rules to beware of.

The cruise that changed my mind: Busting big cruise ship myths
Travel

The cruise that changed my mind: Busting big cruise ship myths

"Turns out I’m having a blast doing something I’d never normally do."

Is a 15-day Budapest-to-Amsterdam river cruise good value for Kiwis?
Travel

Is a 15-day Budapest-to-Amsterdam river cruise good value for Kiwis?

The longship carries just 190 guests, creating a relaxed, small-group atmosphere.

A rookie 23-year-old’s takes on India
Travel

A rookie 23-year-old’s takes on India

A big step when you've never travelled farther than Melbourne.

Escape Bangkok’s chaos on a secret island hideaway
Travel

Escape Bangkok’s chaos on a secret island hideaway

This car-free island village is just 20km north of central Bangkok.

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Auckland holidays

Premium
Premium
From bongos to breakfast baps: My moment of fame on Great Barrier Island
Lifestyle

From bongos to breakfast baps: My moment of fame on Great Barrier Island

'If you didn’t want everyone knowing your business, you probably wouldn't live here.'

Inside Mangawhai’s hidden gem where serenity and surf are side by side
Travel

Inside Mangawhai’s hidden gem where serenity and surf are side by side

The three chalets sit just a minute’s walk from Mangawhai’s cafés and shops.

Luxury escapes close to home: Auckland’s best indulgent stays and dining
Travel

Luxury escapes close to home: Auckland’s best indulgent stays and dining

We share some of the best luxury travel experiences to try.

12 hours in Auckland: A local’s guide to the Tāmaki Makaurau's best spots
Travel

12 hours in Auckland: A local’s guide to the Tāmaki Makaurau's best spots

Swim at Herne Bay before coffee and scones at Elyse’s Honey Sundays café.

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Pacific Islands travel

Pacific-bound flights turned around over aircraft problems
Talanoa

Pacific-bound flights turned around over aircraft problems

At least three recent flights to Rarotonga, Samoa and Fiji were turned back to Auckland.

From nuisance to calling: How humpbacks helped shape a Niue diver’s future
Travel

From nuisance to calling: How humpbacks helped shape a Niue diver’s future

At 19, Nivelosa Hekau is Niue’s first home-trained Padi Divemaster.

Aitutaki’s dreamlike lagoon is the ultimate family-friendly island escape
Travel

Aitutaki’s dreamlike lagoon is the ultimate family-friendly island escape

A simple day trip from Rarotonga offers the easiest way to paradise.

One missing passport, one ruined trip, one costly ride home
Travel news

One missing passport, one ruined trip, one costly ride home

Air NZ says its boarding rules were followed but is strengthening checks in response.

No, you don't need to be a diver to have an incredible whale encounter
Travel

No, you don't need to be a diver to have an incredible whale encounter

This destination lets snorkellers have an unforgettable experience with the gentle giants.

The eight greatest holidays to book in 2026 – according to our travel writers
Travel

The eight greatest holidays to book in 2026 – according to our travel writers

From Taiwanese ghosts to a $40 train ride in Sri Lanka, these are this year's top getaways

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Cruise holidays

Eight smart ways to survive a short cruise and still feel refreshed
Travel

Eight smart ways to survive a short cruise and still feel refreshed

From advance bookings to smart packing, these tips make short cruises better.

Hit or miss? We try out Aurora Expeditions’ new ship
Travel

Hit or miss? We try out Aurora Expeditions’ new ship

Enjoy in-depth exploration showcasing the world's most remote locations.

 A first-time cruiser on the pros and cons of river versus ocean
Travel

A first-time cruiser on the pros and cons of river versus ocean

"There was a lot to love. However, it also wasn’t quite what I expected."

Should you book a ship’s maiden voyage or wait for the teething to pass?
Travel

Should you book a ship’s maiden voyage or wait for the teething to pass?

Fares sometimes plunge to $90 a day, but it's not always smooth sailing.


Travel videos

Arts festival returns to Venice, house from Heated Rivalry open for bookings | Herald NOW
Herald NOW

Arts festival returns to Venice, house from Heated Rivalry open for bookings | Herald NOW

Watch
Thousands of flights disrupted, passengers stranded as Iran war continues| Herald NOW
Travel

Thousands of flights disrupted, passengers stranded as Iran war continues| Herald NOW

Watch
Travellers being screened at major Asian airports after deadly virus detected in India
Travel news

Travellers being screened at major Asian airports after deadly virus detected in India

Watch
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New Zealand travel

Small but perfectly formed: The big appeal of intimate hotels
Travel

Small but perfectly formed: The big appeal of intimate hotels

From Queenstown to Mexico, these small hotels prove intimate stays beat big resorts.

Three friends. 30 degrees. No phone: What happened on my digital-free NZ road trip
Travel

Three friends. 30 degrees. No phone: What happened on my digital-free NZ road trip

'Get lost we did. Except I didn’t know it... and it didn't matter.'

Palmy like a local: Insider hit-list for pizza, coffee, art and trails
Travel

Palmy like a local: Insider hit-list for pizza, coffee, art and trails

Here are the best spots to stop in Palmerston North.

NZ’s best 10 city beaches have been named, but which will you vote as your winner?
Travel

NZ’s best 10 city beaches have been named, but which will you vote as your winner?

Voting is open for the country's top beaches across five categories. Which will you pick?

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These are NZ’s 10 best surf beaches, but which will you vote as the ultimate winner?
Travel

These are NZ’s 10 best surf beaches, but which will you vote as the ultimate winner?

Voting is open for the country's top beaches across five categories. Which will you pick?

These are the 10 best family beaches in NZ, but which will you vote as number one?
Travel

These are the 10 best family beaches in NZ, but which will you vote as number one?

Voting is open in the Herald's annual Best Beach competition.

NZ’s best beaches: Your top 50 finalists revealed, plus how to vote for the ultimate winners
Travel

NZ’s best beaches: Your top 50 finalists revealed, plus how to vote for the ultimate winners

Voting is open for the country's top beaches across five categories. Who will you pick?

Fiji holidays

From Bora Bora to Tokyo: High-end holidays with serious once-in-a-lifetime appeal
Travel news

From Bora Bora to Tokyo: High-end holidays with serious once-in-a-lifetime appeal

Choose from a self-drive journey or beach resort getaway with these deals.

Air NZ sale drops flights to Australia as low as $215
New Zealand

Air NZ sale drops flights to Australia as low as $215

The airline's sale for domestic and international flights runs until January 19.

What spot is the top pick for Kiwi luxury travellers?
Travel

What spot is the top pick for Kiwi luxury travellers?

Luxury Escapes founder and CEO Adam Schwab on members' favourite destinations.

‘It’s like the White Lotus’: My stay at one of Fiji’s exclusive private island resorts
Travel

‘It’s like the White Lotus’: My stay at one of Fiji’s exclusive private island resorts

Once a royal retreat, Vomo Island now hosts up to 130 luxury guests.


Overseas travel

The Tahiti cruise that showcases so much more than sun, sea and sand
Travel

The Tahiti cruise that showcases so much more than sun, sea and sand

Windstar's Dreams of Tahiti cruise merges island hopping with cultural excursion.

Holiday home-swapping could save you $2000 a week. Here's how to do it
Travel

Holiday home-swapping could save you $2000 a week. Here's how to do it

How to do it, both in NZ and overseas, and the rules to beware of.

Is a 15-day Budapest-to-Amsterdam river cruise good value for Kiwis?
Travel

Is a 15-day Budapest-to-Amsterdam river cruise good value for Kiwis?

The longship carries just 190 guests, creating a relaxed, small-group atmosphere.

Escape Bangkok’s chaos on a secret island hideaway
Travel

Escape Bangkok’s chaos on a secret island hideaway

This car-free island village is just 20km north of central Bangkok.


More Travel news

Eight hours at Changi with a child: What really works (and what doesn’t)
Travel

Eight hours at Changi with a child: What really works (and what doesn’t)

Canopy Park, cinemas and a rooftop pool help kids burn energy between flights.

'Priority is safety': Fog and safety upgrade combine to disrupt Auckland Airport flights
Auckland

'Priority is safety': Fog and safety upgrade combine to disrupt Auckland Airport flights

Extra safety measures for airfield lighting works added constraints.

24 hours in Brisbane: Best art and culture for the time-starved
Travel

24 hours in Brisbane: Best art and culture for the time-starved

Lover of the arts but short on time? Varsha Anjali explores what Brisbane has to offer.

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24 hours in Brisbane: Best art and culture for the time-starved
Travel

24 hours in Brisbane: Best art and culture for the time-starved

Lover of the arts but short on time? Varsha Anjali explores what Brisbane has to offer.

'Forget your fear': Why Kiwis may score cut‑price flights to Europe
Travel

'Forget your fear': Why Kiwis may score cut‑price flights to Europe

Budget-friendly Emirates fares via Australia hint at cheaper NZ–Europe deals.

How to eat your way around Asia’s next great food capital
Travel

How to eat your way around Asia’s next great food capital

From Glodok’s frog stalls to sate kambing, every alley offers a feast.

Small but perfectly formed: The big appeal of intimate hotels
Travel

Small but perfectly formed: The big appeal of intimate hotels

From Queenstown to Mexico, these small hotels prove intimate stays beat big resorts.

How to dodge soaring airfares as fuel costs bite Kiwi travellers
Travel

How to dodge soaring airfares as fuel costs bite Kiwi travellers

Experts share tips to get the best deal as conflict in the Middle East continues.

From nuisance to calling: How humpbacks helped shape a Niue diver’s future
Travel

From nuisance to calling: How humpbacks helped shape a Niue diver’s future

At 19, Nivelosa Hekau is Niue’s first home-trained Padi Divemaster.

Govt department expects Cabinet to weigh up long-term, 60+ year lease for Chateau Tongariro
Politics

Govt department expects Cabinet to weigh up long-term, 60+ year lease for Chateau Tongariro

The Government is asking for proposals from operators keen to do up the historic site.

Tamara Hinson: Why I’m over set-jetting
Travel

Tamara Hinson: Why I’m over set-jetting

OPINION: Screen tourism ruins real places.

Middle East travel chaos: Your key questions answered
Travel news

Middle East travel chaos: Your key questions answered

Your guide to New Zealand's best Easter weekend events and more
Travel

Your guide to New Zealand's best Easter weekend events and more

From ice-hole pitches to frozen festivals: Why Oulu is Europe’s next hot spot
Travel

From ice-hole pitches to frozen festivals: Why Oulu is Europe’s next hot spot

I went in search of Italy’s best sandwich – and found its most bewitching hill town
Travel

I went in search of Italy’s best sandwich – and found its most bewitching hill town

Five bars we'd get on a flight to drink at
Travel

Five bars we'd get on a flight to drink at

Peaky Blinders trail: Step into Birmingham’s real gangland past
Travel

Peaky Blinders trail: Step into Birmingham’s real gangland past

The everyday activity that's taken very, very seriously in Malaysia
Travel

The everyday activity that's taken very, very seriously in Malaysia

Harbour views and home comforts at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney
Travel

Harbour views and home comforts at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney

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