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Aussies have been trickling into the South Island during the first week of the trans-Tasman bubble, but most are visiting family and friends rather than boosting local businesses.
Trouble in paradise: Seaside hotspot struggles as Covid bites
6 minutes to read
Kaikōura, the tourist mecca where towering mountains meet an ocean awash with whales and playful dolphins, was just recovering from the giant 2016 earthquake - and then Covid-19 struck. Herald journalists Kurt Bayer and George Heard report from a struggling seaside paradise.
Dark clouds lingered low over the Kaikōura ranges on the day the Tourism Minister came to town.
The Esplanade – the main drag – was gloomy on an eerie still day, where the squawk of seagulls hung sharply in the air.
Empty car parks, boarded-up cafes and shops.