Mount Everest guides have been accused of secretly drugging foreign climbers to trigger expensive aerial evacuations as part of a $35m NZD insurance fraud scheme, according to an investigation by the Nepali police.

Operators of mountain rescue companies in Nepal have been arrested as part of the police operation, and a police spokesperson told The Independent that a total of 32 people have been charged and 11 arrests made so far.

The scale of the scam appears to be vast, affecting 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025. Police said more than 300 cases of alleged fake rescues have been uncovered, with bills totalling nearly $35m NZD charged to climbers and insurers.

The scandal has led to new scrutiny over tour operators and guides as this year’s spring climbing season got underway on 30 March. 

Investigators say guides used a range of methods to force helicopter evacuations, including faking medical emergencies and lacing food with large amounts of baking powder to stimulate gastric distress commonly associated with altitude sickness. Others were given medications with excessive amounts of water to trigger symptoms.

Authorities said operators then used forged medical and flight documents to claim costs from international travel insurers. Read more from The Independent.

DOC closes Nelson visitor centre at Millers Acre, mayor says decision is ‘short-sighted’

Visitor centre operations are set to move out of the central city hub to the department’s existing office in Albion Square. DOC’s northern South Island regional director, Martin Rodd, said the shift was driven by changing visitor behaviour.

“We’ve been seeing fewer and fewer people visiting in person each year. Increasingly, people are going to the DOC website for information and booking their experiences online or seeking advice by email or over the phone.”

Since July 2025, visitor centre staff have had more than 31,800 interactions with the public, but just 17 percent, or 5630, were face-to-face.

But Nelson Mayor Nick Smith disagreed, saying during Nelson City Council’s Thursday meeting that the closure was “shortsighted” and would be detrimental to the region’s economy. “Our visitor industry… is absolutely pivotal to both the economic recovery but also the long-term future of the region.”

He had been engaging with DOC for “some months” to keep the centre open, but was unaware that its last day operating was Saturday until approached by Local Democracy Reporting on Thursday afternoon. Read more from RNZ.

Ever wanted to run a 100-year-old chateau? Now is your chance

If you have ever had the desire to run a 100-year-old chateau, now could be your chance.

The Government is seeking proposals from experienced operators to restore and operate the Chateau Tongariro, three years after the heritage-protected building was closed after being deemed “very high risk” following a seismic assessment.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said restoring the chateau would help ensure the area continues to attract visitors while supporting local business and tourism.

“We are looking for proposals that balance commercial viability with conservation values, respect for tangata whenua aspirations, and the unique character of Tongariro National Park.”

Requests for proposals (RFP) are open now until close on April 21. Read more from Stuff.

Border collie rescued after a week waiting for injured owner in remote backcountry

A spot of furry black and white appears among the jagged rocks of the remote alpine backcountry. It is Molly, the border collie, sitting near the foot of a waterfall where she had been separated from her owner one week earlier.

Molly was rescued after an avalanche of donations from the public funded a volunteer team made up of former helicopter pilots and crew to mount a search in the wilderness.

Molly had been missing since 24 March, when her owner, Jessica Johnston, tumbled down a 55-metre drop while on a hike. Johnston was seriously injured and rescued by helicopter, but her dog was nowhere to be seen.

The chances of finding Molly were slim given the remote location on the Campbell Range in the Arahura Valley. But Lillian Newton, of Precision Helicopters, said she had “a gut feeling” that Molly was still alive.

The small family business wanted to help, Newton said, but did not have the budget to fund a private search. “We rang Jess and made sure she was OK for us to put it to the public,” Newton said. “The goal was to get $2,400 and some volunteers who were experienced to come along.”

Within eight hours, they had raised $11,500 and were able to mount a search. Read more about the rescue from the Guardian. 

Worst it’s ever been’: Call to involve public in deer control

Concerns over an explosion of wild deer in South Westland have been raised at a West Coast Conservation Board meeting in Okarito. One board member yesterday described it as “the worst it’s ever been in South Westland”. The board called for more public help in controlling deer numbers.

Department of Conservation wild animals manager Mike Perry told the board discussions were ongoing around a national deer plan. 

Ngai Tahu board member Rob Wilson raised the issue of increasing complaints around the deer population, and said the public should have a say in how animal numbers can be controlled. “There is a huge public interest in controlling deer numbers. The deer numbers are going up and everybody’s complaining about it, but I think there is an obligation to involve the public,” Mr Wilson said.

Board member Barry Wards asked if there was any plan in the pipeline for controlling the deer population in South Westland in the near future. “No, is the short answer,” Mr Perry said. Read more from the Otago Daily Times.