Renovated Scenic Te Pania Hotel reopens after flooding
1 Mar, 2021 12:32 AM
2 minutes to read
The Scenic Te Pania Hotel has reopen after damage caused by November s deluge. Photo / Supplied
The Scenic Te Pania Hotel has reopen after damage caused by November s deluge. Photo / Supplied
One of Napier s most recognisable hotels is back open after significant damage caused by November s deluge forced its doors to close.
Last year s widespread flooding caused nearly 600 properties in Napier to be officially classed as flood-damaged after 237mm of rain was recorded in the city in 24 hours – making it Napier s second-wettest day on record.
The Scenic Te Pania Hotel suffered critical infrastructure damage across the kitchen and electrical hubs, as well as damage to the restaurant, bar and lower level guest rooms.
Auckland Airbnb hosts told to ignore Covid alert levels or face fines
28 Feb, 2021 09:28 PM
3 minutes to read
Airbnb s cancellation policies are incentivising bad behaviour, says host. Photo / Yuriko Nakao, Getty Images
Thomas Bywater is a writer and digital producer for Herald Travelthomas.bywater@nzherald.co.nz@ThomasBywater
With just 9 hours notice, Auckland went back into Covid Alert Level 3 restrictions on Sunday morning, affecting many New Zealanders travel plans.
However hosts on a leading accommodation booking website say they are being given an unwelcome choice: ignore Covid-19 alert levels or be hit with fines.
Currently users of Airbnb are charged for last minute cancellations, by hosts or guests. In spite of guests unable to travel to Auckland, these no-fault cancellations result in guests or hosts forfeiting booking fees upwards of $140.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Wellington dancer who was trapped on a cruise for six months is going back to dance again
1 Mar, 2021 02:11 AM
6 minutes to read
multimedia journalist at the Herald in Wellington@katieharrisnz
A Wellington dancer who spent six months adrift on a luxury cruise ship with no passengers and endured seven quarantines is heading back to the seas to dance again.
About a week into what should have been the cruise of her life, passengers on board the boat 25-year-old Sarah Lauder was dancing on left and no others returned.
Over the next six months the dancer attempted to get back to New Zealand seven times, and each time she left the boat to try get a flight, she had to do another 14-day stint locked down in her cabin.
Hinemoa Elder: the insider s guide to Waiheke Island
9 Feb, 2021 11:00 PM
4 minutes to read
People enjoying a sunny day on Waiheke Island. Photo / 123rf
NZ Herald
By: Hinemoa Elder
Kia ora, ko Hinemoa tōku ingoa, nō Te Hiku o te Ika ōku tūpuna, kei Te Motu Arai Roa ahau e noho ana. Nei a Mihi ka rere ki a koutou.
A rāhui was recently established prohibiting four species of marine life being collected around the entire island coastline. Tipa (scallops), kūtai ( mussels), kōura ( crayfish) and pāua (abalone) are restricted from collection from the shore and out to sea for one nautical mile for at least the next two years.