The research reported in this study was undertaken in the context of the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 (released in 2001) and the anticipated amendments to the Local Government Act 1974 (amended in December 2002). The key objective of this study was to document existing and emerging tourism policies and practices within the local government sector in New Zealand. Within the core themes of tourism enablement and management, the issues of inter, and intra, organisational relationships were addressed by this research. The findings from this study provide an assessment of current practices and review future options for more integrated regional planning and management of New Zealand tourism.