Maori in Tourism

Maori and Maori culture play an important role in the tourism industry in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 and the study "He Matai Tapoi Maori: A Study of Opportunities and Impediments for Maori in Tourism" both contain important recommendations to encourage Maori to participate in tourism and to assist the industry in benefiting from the unique Maori culture.

The Tourism Strategy placed the Maori values of manaakitanga (hospitality) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) at the core of its vision and made recommendations on building Maori capacity and capability, strengthening regional representation and bolstering Maori involvement in decision making.

He Matai Tapoi Maori  looked at barriers to participation including financing, skill levels, confidence and at opportunities to enhance participation and benefits including research, capacity building and structural changes.

The Ministry is committed to considering the wide range of recommendations made in the report and to implementing policy programmes to achieve benefits for Maori and the tourism industry.

We have developed close links and a positive working relationship with Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development) and the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. Parekura Horomia. The Ministry of Tourism's Senior Advisor on Maori issues is Glenn Webber, e-mail: glenn.webber@tourism.govt.nz

Related Documents & websites:

Maori Arts and Crafts Institute website - www.nzmaori.co.nz

Treaty of Waitangi on NZ Government site - http://www.govt.nz/aboutnz/treaty

He Matai Tapoi Maori:

• Main report - (PDF 624K)
• Summary - (PDF 78K)
• Appendix I - (PDF 195K)
• Appendix II - (PDF 273K)

Fostering Improved Relationships between MRTO's and RTO's 2005 - Powerpoint Slideshow of findings from Ministry of Tourism project examining relationships between MRTO's and RTO's.

For enquiries, contact:

Glenn Webber, Senior Policy Advisor - Tourism, +64 4 498 7446, glenn.webber@tourism.govt.nz