Culture and Heritage

Culture and heritage attractions, events and activities play an important role in our national identity and provide New Zealand with a strong point of difference from other destinations in the global market place.

Culture and heritage encompasses a range of attractions, events and activities, like:

• watching a Maori cultural performance

• shopping for New Zealand art and crafts

• sampling possum pate at the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival.

• museums, historic buildings and sites, and

• events such as the Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations.

The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 highlighted the important role that culture and heritage plays in the appeal of New Zealand as a tourist destination. The Ministry of Tourism is working with relevant agencies and groups to recognise this role and to implement the recommendations of the Strategy. An update to this strategy is currently being undertaken.

Demand for Cultural Tourism

The Ministry undertook a joint research project with other government agencies involved in the cultural tourism sector, to identify demand for and uptake of cultural tourism products.  This report was released in December 2003.

Download the report: Demand for Cultural Tourism (PDF 567KB)

For enquiries, contact:

policy@tourism.govt.nz