Reporter: Rod Vaughan Producer: Linda Gollan How many tourists are too many? Assignment looks at what affect the increasing numbers of tourists are having on our environment. New Zealand is a tourist magnet, but increasing numbers of visitors mean increased development. Is the natural beauty of our country under threat? Rod Vaughan travels through the South Island where he investigates the preparations for two major new roads that could change the face of travel down South - but what are the dangers of such a project to our environment? Vaughan also looks at a major project near the Milford Sound to build the world's longest gondola - 12km if it goes ahead. And to find out what lessons we can learn from our neighbours across the ditch, Vaughan travels to Northern Queensland to visit two of the most popular tourist destinations, which created controversy initially - but are now being embraced readily. [17/05/01]

Presented by Richard Long, Assignment is the only hour-long, in-depth current affairs programme on New Zealand television and features some of New Zealand's most experienced and respected journalists: Rob Harley, Rod Vaughan, Kerryanne Evans and Jackie Maher. The series covers a range of stories of significance to New Zealand and its people, with in-depth analysis which maintains the highest standards of authority, credibility, fairness and impartiality, notwithstanding the often controversial nature of the programme's content.