In the midst of tourism being cut at the knees by Covid-19, one place is having the opposite problem.

The Chatham Islands has a population of just over 600 people, and usually see about 2000 tourists a year.

But more and more New Zealanders have been looking at the Chathams with a quarantine-free holiday in mind.

Chatham Islands Tourism Manager Jackie Gurden says unless they can get their infrastructure up to scratch, the islands could quickly become overburdened.

"You don't want tourism to negatively impact the community - you want it to be a positive benefit."

Gurden told Mike Hosking people who wanted to travel internationally couldn't go, so the islands are the furthest they can get.

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