The South Island town relies on international visitors during the peak summer months. “We’re just not getting the numbers here,” Gibson said. “As a visitor from Winton said just prior to Christmas . ‘Is it usually like this here?’ And I said ‘Quiet?’ And she said, ‘That’s an understatement – this is apocalyptic.’
TRAVEL
The 20-minute flight around Franz Josef Glacier is breathtaking. “Recently, we surveyed the village and the results of the survey were fairly dire, with businesses who responded showing they are 81 [per cent] to 90 per cent reduced in their turnovers. “Eight out of those 10 businesses surveyed said they couldn’t trade beyond February [to] March of this year, such is the state of it. That would see another 100 jobs lost in the village . It’s quite a significant impact.”
Violent supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the Capitol in Washington, as lawmakers met to confirm President-elect Joe Biden s poll win.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Photo: RNZ / AFP
In dramatic scenes, demonstrators swarmed the building as Congress members were escorted out by police.
Biden said it was an insurrection , and Trump released a video message asking supporters to go home.
The joint session of Congress certifying Biden s win has been suspended and forced into recess.
The BBC says there are reports of guns drawn in the building and at least one person shot. A woman was reported to have died.