New data shows Aucklanders have all but given up on heading away for October and instead are booking out accommodation for Christmas and January. Bookings from Auckland are down 51% across the board for the same time last year.

Hardest hit from a lack of Auckland tourists are Queenstown with bookings down 35% with bookings in the Coromandel also down.

Bachcare says it has advice that there is a legal basis for challenging the Auckland Council’s decision to hit holiday homes with business and targeted rates.