Small tourism operators continue to feel shafted over government support.

An inquiry is being launched by the auditor-general into aspects of government's Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.

Launched last May, it aimed to support tourism operators during the pandemic.

It comes as small tourism businesses claim only large operators received support during the pandemic.

However Fiordland jet co-owner Chris Adams told Heather du Plessis-Allan the government choose to hand $290 million to only three companies.

Adams says the process was unfair - as companies needed to have "exhausted financial avenues" before applying.

He says this couldn't apply for many operators, as the programme was launched on the back of several bumper seasons.

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