Planning a South Island road trip this September? A Rentals has released a limited-time deal for travellers heading from Queenstown to Christchurch, offering 50% off the base vehicle hire rate plus a completely waived one-way fee. The promotion is available for eligible Medium, SUV, MPV and Van rentals, making it suitable for anything from a couple's getaway to a family or group road trip. Rentals can be for up to 7 days, giving travellers plenty of time to explore the route between Queenstown and Christchurch instead of rushing straight from one city to the other. What’s included? For eligible bookings, customers will receive: 50% off the base Vehicle Hire Rate Queenstown-to-Christchurch one-way fee waived Eligible vehicle categories include Medium, SUV, MPV and Van Maximum rental period: 7 days To access the offer, use the campaign code 26FREEONEWAY when booking. The code must be entered before completing the reservation and cannot be added afterwards. When is the deal available? Bookings opened on 28 August 2026, and the promotion runs until 25 September 2026. Importantly, the booking, vehicle pickup and scheduled return must all take place on or before 25 September 2026. The offer applies only to one-way rentals starting in Queenstown and finishing in Christchurch. Trips in the opposite direction, or using different pickup or return locations, aren't included. A good excuse for a South Island road trip Rather than paying an additional one-way fee, travellers can use this deal to turn the journey north into part of the holiday itself. Depending on your itinerary, the trip between Queenstown and Christchurch gives you the opportunity to stop and explore some of the South Island along the way before returning the vehicle in Christchurch. If you've already been thinking about a September getaway, the combination of half-price base vehicle hire and no one-way fee could make this a particularly good time to plan it. Before you book The 50% discount applies to the base vehicle hire rate only. Optional services and other charges—including insurance or excess-reduction products, additional drivers, child seats, young-driver fees, fuel, tolls and other applicable costs—are not covered by the discount. Vehicle availability also applies, and the promotion cannot normally be combined with another campaign code or promotional rate. Campaign code: 26FREEONEWAY Route: Queenstown → Christchurch Maximum rental: 7 days Offer ends: 25 September 2026 View the deal and full terms on the A Rentals website Terms, conditions and vehicle availability apply. Check the A Rentals website for the full promotional conditions before booking.

AUCKLAND, NZ – Auckland Airport's domestic terminal was temporarily evacuated on Monday morning after a fire alarm was activated, forcing hundreds of passengers to leave the building and gather outside. The incident caused disruption to domestic and regional flights, with travellers facing delays and uncertainty as emergency services carried out safety checks. Videos shared on social media showed large crowds of passengers waiting outside the terminal while airport staff and emergency responders investigated the alarm. Airport officials later confirmed that travellers were allowed back into the terminal once the necessary checks had been completed and the area was deemed safe. The evacuation created significant congestion outside the terminal as passengers awaited clearance to re-enter the building and receive updates on their travel plans. While no injuries were reported, the evacuation is expected to have a knock-on effect on flight schedules throughout the day. Auckland Airport has advised passengers to monitor updates from their airlines and allow extra time when travelling. Authorities have not yet confirmed what triggered the alarm. "Travellers have re-entered the domestic terminal at Auckland Airport after it was evacuated earlier this morning following a fire alarm activation," an airport spokesperson said. Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline for the latest flight information before heading to the airport.

Step into Kā Uri in Awanui, where Northland’s heritage comes alive through locally crafted art. The gallery showcases traditional and contemporary Māori art, handcrafted pieces, and stories of the Far North, a tranquil space to connect with local culture and creativity. Next door, watch master carvers transform raw timber into stunning art using time-honoured techniques. Learn the cultural symbolism behind each design and the tools that bring it to life. Whether browsing or watching craftsmanship unfold, you’ll feel the deep connection between people and wood. Explore, be inspired, and take home a piece of Northland’s artistic legacy. Awanui Sunday Roast at The Duke Since 1827, the Duke of Marlborough has been the place to be on a Sunday. Head down to the waterfront from 4pm for the legendary - and hearty - Duke Roast; well worth the walk into Russell. Live music kicks off on the deck at 5pm, with mulled wine on hand to keep things warm as the sun goes down over the bay. Russell|$40 Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Ride New Zealand’s oldest North Island passenger railway, dating to 1867. This two-hour steam train journey runs through Kawakawa along State Highway 1, past farmland, rivers, wetlands and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest curved wooden bridge to Ōpua. Choose closed, outdoor, or open-deck seating. Guides share local history and culture. Combine with the Te Hononga centre, Hundertwasser toilets, and Kawakawa’s shops for a memorable family excursion. Kawakawa | Prices from $25 for a Child and $60 for an Adult return ticket. Discounts available and Infants (under 3) travel for free. AUCKLAND We Read Auckland - at your local library For something a little different, discover We Read Auckland, Auckland Council Libraries’ free month-long festival celebrating local stories and voices. With fresh reads, more than 20 author talks and writing workshops, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore new ideas, meet local talent and enjoy free experiences at your local library this winter. Various locations WAIKATO Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery There’s something for everyone at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum. Explore art, history and interactive exhibitions, including Dame Robin White: Something is Happening Here, a major touring exhibition from Te Papa and Auckland Art Gallery spanning 50 years of the celebrated artist’s work. Younger visitors will love Exscite, a hands-on space where tamariki can play, create and learn through immersive experiences. 1 Grantham St, Hamilton Central | Price: Dame Robin White Exhibition: Free; Exscite from $5 High Tea at Zealong Tea Estate Slow down with a selection of Zealong’s award-winning teas and an indulgent high tea overlooking New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate. Whether you’re relaxing in the cosy Tea Room or enjoying the heated deck, it’s the perfect place to linger over delicious flavours, soak up the peaceful surroundings and discover the stories behind every cup. 495 Gordonton Rd, Gordonton, Hamilton | Price $89 Grassroots Trust Velodrome – Have-a-go session Get a taste of New Zealand’s high-performance sporting scene at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome, home to Cycling New Zealand. Guided “Have a Go” sessions let visitors ride the venue’s iconic banked track and experience the speed and exhilaration of world-class track cycling. No experience is needed, making it a fun challenge for families, friends and curious first-timers alike. Grassroots Trust Velodrome, 15 Hanlin Rd, Cambridge | Price: Public session from $25 BAY OF PLENTY The Cave Pāpāmoa Discover a mind-blowing array of alternative realities at The Cave, just a five-minute drive from the beach. It’s the ultimate high-tech entertainment destination, suitable for all ages and abilities (8 years+). Choose a virtual reality game or immersive experience, a multi-player escape room, or one of the professional race car simulators. There’s a PC console gaming lounge, and massage chairs for anyone who just wants to chill out. 16 Ashley Place, Pāpāmoa | $10-$50pp per hour Mount Driving Range Mount Driving Range. Photo / Supplied Mount Driving Range offers 15 premium all-weather bays and two state-of-the-art simulators, with cutting-edge ball tracking technology and access to thousands of world-famous golf courses. Bring your own clubs or hire them on arrival. Whether you’re perfecting your swing, challenging friends, or simply want to enjoy a unique experience, everyone is welcome – from first timers to seasoned golfers. 15 Fairway Ave, Mount Maunganui | Price from $6 - $80 Classic Flyers Aviation Museum Classic Flyers Museum. Photo / Supplied Jean Batten Drive seems a logical spot for one of New Zealand’s best collections of historic aircraft, at the Classic Flyers Aviation Museum. Explore the eclectic array of aircraft and memorabilia, all displayed in an open hangar. Most of the 26 aircraft are operational, thanks to the talented team keeping history alive. You can even book a classic flight for an unforgettable bird’s-eye view of this coastal region. 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui | Price from free - $18.50pp, family pass $45 ROTORUA Treat yourself to a geothermal spa day Wai Ariki Spa Geothermal Pool. Photo / Graeme Murray Rainy days are made for Rotorua’s hot pools. This is the place where wellness comes with a distinctly local edge: natural geothermal waters, lake views and spa experiences shaped by Te Arawa culture. Book a restorative bathing journey at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, soak in the iconic lakeside pools at Polynesian Spa, or slip into a cedar hot tub at Secret Spot, surrounded by native forest. It is warm, sheltered and deeply Rotorua, turning a wet winter day into a reason to slow down rather than stay in. Various locations Step into art, light and illusion 3Mirage. Photo / Supplied For a rainy-day activity that feels different from the usual indoor stop, Rotorua has two playful art experiences worth seeking out. At 3D Trick Art Gallery, visitors step into large-scale optical illusion artworks and become part of the scene, from dramatic landscapes to larger-than-life creatures. In the central city, 3Mirage takes things in a more immersive direction, surrounding guests with 360-degree digital visuals, light and sound. Both are weatherproof, easy to enjoy with friends, family or a date, and guaranteed to bring plenty of laughs to a grey day. 3D Trick Art Gallery: 171 Fairy Springs Rd, 3Mirage: 1089 Arawa St TARANAKI Aotea Utanganui, Pātea Taranaki Story 105 Visitor live Iwi Aotea Utanganui outside Pātea. Photo / Supplied Pull off SH3 into this striking purpose-built museum and you are standing with New Zealand’s oldest dated wooden artefacts. The Waitore pieces were carved by hand in the 1400s, believed to be a waka repair yard lost to a tsunami six centuries ago. Close by, a fossilised whale jawbone three and a half million years old. In the foyer, tukutuku panels and whakairo honour the ancestors of the Aotea waka, and the walls hold works by celebrated Māori artist Oriwa Tahupotiki Haddon Aotea Utanganui The Museum of South Taranaki, Pātea | Koha Pukekura Park Fernery and Display Houses Taranaki Fernery tunnel. Photo / Rob Tucker Everyone files Pukekura under outdoors and skips it in the rain. Their loss. Dug into the hillside are three glass-topped caverns you reach through a short tunnel, and then it opens out. Tropical planting, orchids that flower year-round, ferns, and the weather drumming on the glass above you. The displays shift with the seasons, with people having come to explore them for close to a century. There are also free guided tours. Pukekura Park | Free RUAPEHU Ohakune Hot Tubs Full of history and heritage, take a tour of the award-winning National Army Museum in Waiouru. World-class exhibitions, interactive displays and guided tours with insightful, passionate guides are available as you learn about the New Zealand Army and hear stories of honour, courage and sacrifice. Enjoy delicious meals and beverages at the Mess Tent Cafe and lots of family-friendly fun at Kids HQ. Corner of State Highway 1, Hassett Drive and Waiouru | Self-guided experiences from $15 for adults; $5 for children.

Auckland is the New Zealand’s largest and most dynamic city. Known for its stunning harbors, beautiful landscapes, and multicultural vibe, Auckland is not just a tourist destination but also a fantastic place for business innovation and creativity. The opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs are abundant, and the demand for unique, quality services and products is on the rise. Auckland offers a diverse landscape that can support a wide range of business ideas. Today in this video we will be discussing 5 best and trending small business ideas in Auckland.

Most of us know what it takes to maintain our physical health, but what does it mean to have a healthy brain? Professor Hanneke Hulst, a neuroscientist and director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland, says brain health depends on multiple factors. “It is physical health, but it’s also our environment, our opportunities to learn, social connection, safety, access to good healthcare, and I think all of these influence how our brains develop, adapt, respond to challenges throughout life,” she says. Hulst’s research focuses on cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis and its effects on those who live with the condition. But she says it’s important to think and talk about brain health not only in the context of disease, but in everyday life. “We all want to flourish, whether in the presence or absence of a diagnosis,” she says. Here she shares questions people ask her about brain health and what we can do to look after it. Why do we feel mentally drained after a long day – and what can we do about it? You might think if you’re not doing physical work all day, you shouldn’t feel tired – but making decisions, switching between tasks and managing your emotions all require sustained mental effort, Hulst says. “We are constantly triggered by our emails, [by our] phones, by meetings, by messages, by conversations ... often we are not giving our brains much opportunity to rest.”