Ski season is shaping up to be the big drawcard for Australian visitors.
Direct travel to NZ restricted now to permanent residents from India, Brazil, Papa New Guinea, and Pakistan unless they go somewhere else first.
The Australian foreign minister declined to let the controversy over the Five Eyes network overshadow the 'feel-good' of the first trans-Tasman ministerial meeting since the travel bubble opened.
The Ministry of Health confirmed it did not openly advertise the IT contract for the national booking system.