It's a new day

It's been a while, actually a couple of years since I wrote in my blog.  I've decided to resurrect it and to continue sharing my thoughts relating to various aspects of my world.  For work that's all around tourism.  For my life, well it's a vast and wonderous place :)

I now work at the Carter Observatory here in Wellington.  I began the role of Marketing & Communications Manager back in February 2010, just a month or so before we re-opened as a revamped visitor attraction.  Of course, by name, it's all about space and here we use the science, culture and heritage of the Southern Skies to excite, engage and inspire our visitors.

Our Maori name "Te Ara Whanui ki te Rangi" was gifted to us by the people of  Te Ati Awa and means the expansive pathway to the heavens.  I love it!  It really signifies just what we're about, it's all a journey to find meaning in our lives and a visit her gives new perspectives to many.

New Zealand is blessed in having much better viewing of the beautiful skies above us.  Most visitors from around the world simply don't see the stars at night.  I think there is a great opportunity for us to develop this offering and raise the awareness of it as part of a 100% Pure New Zealand experience.

Our colleagues at Earth and Sky in lake Tekapo and Stardome in Auckland held a special event at TRENZ recently to do just that.  The dozen or so people who attended the evening left totally blown by seeing the planet Saturn through a telescope!  They saved the image on their phones and shared the shit out of it - why?  Because it's a rare and wonderous sight, it has brag value and well it changes you.

So you'll probably hear a bit more from me around this topic but I am a convert!

Po marie

Manaaki - Hospitality Maori Style

Kia ora koutou

The Te Waipounamu Maori Regional Tourism Organisation has just launched a new product called Manaaki Card, that seeks to kick start their journey towards self sustainability. The Te Waipounamu (ie. South Island) group learned the lessons from previously formed MRTOs reliant on government funds that enabled them to carry out their supportive work for Maori tourism operators.

Manaaki is a Maori value critical to New Zealand's tourism industry. It is throughout the NZTS2015 strategy and requires that our industry embrace and deliver our duty and obligation as hosts, it is arguably the backbone of New Zealand's success, especially when you consider research that identifies our friendliness as a key takeout to the visitor experience.

Manaaki Card brings together over 50 Maori tourism operators and a selection of eateries and galleries throughout New Zealand that reflect the Maori world view. It is an accessible vehicle for visitors to immediately see and gain access to Maori tourism experiences right throughout New Zealand while adding value by way of a phone component.

The beauty of this is that all profits earned from sale of these cards goes straight back into Maori tourism development via commissions paid to the operator who sells the card and the MRTO in the region each card is sold. Manaaki intends to inject back into Maori tourism over $1m in the next 5 years.

So, check it out, buy one - or several and add value to your own visit to New Zealand, or your inbound clients or to just buy one for the person who has everything and support this vital part of our tourism sector.

Nga mihi