Tourism operators say covid-related grants have helped keep them afloat through the pandemic.

The Auditor-General John Ryan found ministers used unclear criteria when dishing out nearly $70 million in tourism grants in 2020.

The Strategic Tourism Asset Protection Programme was formed to provide rapid support for the country's significant tourism assets.

Tourism companies under the RealNZ group received 3.5 million dollars in grants, and more than $26m in loans under the programme.

A separate company which benefitted from the scheme was Rotorua Canopy Tours, which got a grant of $500,000 and a loan of $400,000.

Its general manager Paul Button spoke to Māni Dunlop.