We are just over six weeks away from the World Indigenous Tourism Summit in Northland. We're excited to see that so many of you have registered to attend what will be a brilliant few days in Northland, as well as the Research Symposium in Hopuhopu following the Summit.

I can't be the only who is wondering how we are already mid-way through February - Christmas seems like a distant memory! Like many of you, we have had limited staff over the last few weeks but we're now back to full capacity.

He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero.
What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.

Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou!

It is with great pride that the Board and team of NZ Māori Tourism congratulate our Chief Executive, Pania Tyson-Nathan, on her recognition in the New Year’s Honours as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and Business.

NZ Māori Tourism worked with TravCom to organise a media famil for travel journalists to Northland recently. The journalists had a fantastic time and experienced a variety of Māori tourism experiences.

The historic Treaty House at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds has re-opened its doors to the public with a new exhibition installed by Workshop e, New Zealand’s leading exhibition design company and creators of the permanent exhibition in multiple award winning Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi.

I oho tātou i te ata nei ki te tētehi Kāwanatanga hōu. Me mihi ka tika ki a rātou, nga pāti tōrangapū, ko Reipa, ko nga Kākāriki rātou ko Aotearoa Tuatahi. Na rātou te Kāwanatanga hōu i kōkiritia. Harikoa ana mātou ki te mahi ngātahi ki te Kāwangatanga hōu.

Kia ora ki whānau ki Tapoi Māori o Aotearoa.

E te Pāpā Lewis, e kore rawa koe me ou mahi hei manaaki i te tangata ahakoa ko wai, e warewaretia.  Hoea rā tō waka ki Hawaiki nui, Hawaiki roa, Hawaiki pāmaomao, moe mai rā. Paimārire!

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is the winner of the Visitor Experience Award in the 2017 New Zealand Tourism Awards. 24 leading tourism operators and stakeholders competed in the 2017 New Zealand Tourism Awards – the $35 billion tourism industry’s most prestigious awards. 

“Waka carry stories, art, science, knowledge whakapapa and performance. When the waka arrives it seeks relationships, contact and togetherness.” - A Waka Odyssey Creative Team

There's  a few people from the Maori tourism whānau competing in 'Dancing with the Stars' in Rotorua this weekend - good luck to you all, I know I'm not the only one looking forward to the photos and videos on Facebook!

Press release from Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Press release from Tourism Industry Aoteaora (TIA)

Twenty-four leading tourism operators and stakeholders have been announced today as finalists in the 2017 New Zealand Tourism Awards – the $35 billion tourism industry’s most prestigious awards.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Global Insights Conference is coming back to Auckland, playing host to leading tourism experts and international thought leaders from around the world on Friday, 29 September 2017 at Skycity.

The new edition of Māori Tourism Quarterly is now available, which provides commentary on the latest data on visits to Māori activities and experiences from the International Visitor Surve

There's a lot of information in this week's NewsLine, so I'm going to keep my kōrero short.

Press release from Minister for Tourism, Hon Paula Bennett

Tourism Minister Paula Bennett and Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges today announced that the Government will provide $160,000 to support tourism strategy projects in Canterbury.

With Matariki on our doorstep, it’s time to take stock, reflect on the past 12 months, and focus on the year ahead.

Congratulations to NZ Māori Tourism Board member Toro Waaka, who was not only re-elected in the recent NZ Māori Tourism Board elections, but was also appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2017 NZ Queen's Birthday H

The announcement in Budget 2017 of $10 million of new funding over four years will promote and strengthen the Māori tourism sector to be more resilient, says NZ Māori Tourism Chief Executive Pania Tyson-Nathan.

Press release from Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Leading bespoke yacht companies Marinelogix Yacht Support and New Zealand Luxury Experiences collaborated to host one of the largest superyachts to visit New Zealand waters this season. 

Press Release from Hon Paula Bennett, Minister for Tourism

Tourism Minister Paula Bennett has today announced a new $102 million Tourism Infrastructure Fund which has been launched alongside $76 million in new funding for our most important tourism asset, the DOC Estate.

Next week is going to be a busy one for those attending TRENZ - the programme of speakers, events, and meetings will provide numerous opportunities for tourism businesses to engage with trade and industry insiders to ensure they do their best to get visitors to your experience!

As we start to pull our wool coats and boots from the back of the wardrobe (although that could just be Wellington!) and haere ra our summer, it is timely to reflect on the last few months.

NZ Māori Tourism attended the opening of the QRC Culinary School in Kerikeri this week.

I don't know about you, but it seems like we just had Waitangi commemorations and now Easter is already here. Many of you would have been counting on a big weekend either at work, or away with your whānau/friends, but Tāwhirimātea has decided he'd rather pay us a visit instead!

Tāwhirimātea has certainly made himself know throughout Aotearoa this week. With canceled flights, closed roads, and communities being asked to evacuate their homes, please stay safe and if there's anything we can help with, we are just a phone call or email away.

Press release from Minister for Tourism,Hon Paula Bennett

A new international agreement will focus on attracting high-value Chinese visitors who stay longer, spend more and travel independently says Tourism Minister Paula Bennett.

NZ Māori Tourism recently hosted WINTA (World Indigenous Tourism Alliance) Chairman Ben Sherman in preparation for New Zealand hosting the 2018 WINTA Summit. The Summit will be held in Paihia, Northland, from 15 - 18 April 2018.

The new edition of Māori Tourism Quarterly is now available for you to read.

Congratulations to Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti for their win at Te Matatini 2017.

Press release from Tourism Industry Aotearoa

The tourism industry is pleased that the Government has recognised fresh water’s value to the visitor economy, and is hopeful that this can be realised via its new water quality targets.

NZ Māori Tourism had our AGM in Wellington this week. You can read our 2016 Annual Report here.

It was a busy and productive weekend in Waitangi, with many opportunities to talk with locals, Māori organisations, government officials, Ministers, and visitors who were all basking in the commemorations and sunshine.

Press release from Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Press Release from Minister of Tourism, Hon Paula Bennett

Nearly every region across New Zealand experienced strong growth in tourism spending this summer, Tourism Minister Paula Bennett says.

One of the most gratifying parts of our work is seeing the innovation that is taking place within Māori tourism businesses across the country. We enjoy receiving your updates on what you're doing, and seeing your visitors post their satisfaction on social media.

Press Release from NZ Hi-Tech Trust

Press release from Tourism New Zealand

Tourism New Zealand Chair Kerry Prendergast says she is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen England-Hall to the position of Chief Executive at Tourism New Zealand.

Press Release from Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Tourism New Zealand

New Zealanders generally feel positive about the fast-growing tourism industry, according to the latest research by Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Tourism New Zealand.

Press release from Air New Zealand

Press Release from Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Press release from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

Regional and Seasonal Dispersal is the second report in MBIE’s Tourism Insight Series. It provides a clear picture of when tourists are arriving and which regions they are visiting.

Tēnā tātou, te whānau whānui o Tāpoi Māori o Aotearoa,

It's been a busy few months for both NZMT and Māori tourism experiences around Aotearoa. It doesn't seem as though the tourism industry has had our traditional 'off season' break this year - is this a sign of things to come?

The Tourism Growth Partnership (TGP) is a Government initiative aimed at driving strategic changes required to overcome constraints to growth of the tourism sector and lift the value international tourism delivers to New Zealand

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on PATA, statistics for business, Tourism New Zealand, IP Mātauranga Māori, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on YTEC, the Regional Tourism Fund, Trade Shows, Tourism Plans, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on NZ Maori Tourism Board elections, Tourism New Zealand's marketing strategy, upcoming conferences, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Tatauranga Umanga, NZ Tourism Awards, taxing tourists, tourism scholarships, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on funding for tourism in Budget 2015, travel awards, tourism workshops, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on direct flights between New Zealand and India, Māori language week, KiwiLink, the Aussie backpacker tax, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Maori Tourism community. Featuring stories on hotel investment, Pā Harakeke, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, NZ Māori Tourism's website, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Maori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the new Maori Tourism Quarterly newsletter, Health and Safety at Work, Northland, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Chinese New Year visitors to New Zealand, NZ Story workshops, the latest IVS numbers and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Te Kupenga, national guest nights, WEL funding, TPP hui, NZ Story workshops, the Māori Innovation Fund, Whenua Māori Fund, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on MBIE's tourism data tool, cycle trails, Australian travel agencies, i-sites, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on employment law changes, Mt Eden, Kapiti Island, the TPP, the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on international visitor arrivals, the Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival, travel fairs, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on guest nights, migration, hiring new employees, KiwiLink, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on DoC, Rotorua, new cycling and walking guides for New Zealand, Māori land use, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on DOC, Te Reo, Trade missions, Expedia, tourist numbers, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on guest nights, adventure safety workshops, cultural sites, Tikanga Māori, Alitrip, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Northland, HukaFalls Jet, China, tourism data, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the tourism data, Porangahau, domestic tourism, Māori Business report, more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on regional tourism statistics, Fernmark, Chinese tourism, Māori Tourism Trade Day, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Rotorua, tourism statistics, Tourism Growth Partnership scheme, TIME Unlimited Tours, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on OTAs, Facebook, Ngāti Whātua, Rotorua, Tourism New Zealand, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Regional Tourism Indicators, price wars between airlines, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Te Tirohanga Whānui (Māori Business Key Insights 2015), Regional Tourism Indicators, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the Hihiaua Cultural Centre, Wellington funding availability, China Eastern’s flights to New Zealand, the future of Māori tourism, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Tourism New Zealand events, Signpost North, Ahi Kaa, Rotorua, Whanganui, the future of business travel, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on New Zealand Māori Tourism’s new Board members, Waka Warriors, Hekenukumai Busby, Halal tourism, the New Horizons Fund, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Māori Tourism Trade Day, Budget 2015, Domestic Tourism advertising, 100% Pure refresh, Sounds Air, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Erima Henare, Mavis Mullins, the Māori Innovation Fund, the Korean FTA, DOC concessions and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the TravCom Travel Media Awards, the Māori Economy, Air NZ, Mt Eden, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on a Māori kai database, New Zealand’s golden summer, a new tool for SMEs, Te Arawa Group Holdings, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the Fallen Heroes Trust, the Port of Auckland, code of practice for tourist drivers, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community.  Featuring stories on Kapiti Island, Remutaka Hill, SkyLine Rotorua, Te Matatini, and more. Read more here.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on Northland’s Twin Coast Discovery, Tourism data for your business, the voyaging canoe Hōkūle’a, Ngati Toa’s history tour, and more.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the Tourism Export Council, Taranaki, Tai Tokerau Regional Growth Study, and how well accommodation caters to female travellers .

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on the power of social media, Waitangi Day celebrations, online bookings and Christchurch accommodation.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on tips of productivity from CEOs, cooking up kai in Rotorua, Sir Āpirana Ngata memorial scholarships and how to feature your events on our website.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community.

NewsLine is a short weekly summary of stories that may be of interest to those involved in the Māori Tourism community. Featuring stories on tax breaks for small businesses, President Xi's visit to New Zealand, and the Golden Backpack Awards.