Reviewing strategic policies and plans, preparing submissions, participating in consultation processes and providing presentations to regional and national stakeholders in support of Māori Tourism development has been a major focus of our Secretariat to date.
• Te Waka –Waikato Regional Economic Development Programme (2018)
• Waikato Region Māori Economic Action Plan(2018)
• Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Opportunities Plan (2016)
• Waikato Mayoral Forum(2017)
• Waikato Plan (2017)
• Waikato Tainui –Maori Tourism Development Strategy(2017)
• Creative Waikato Toi Māori Report (2017)
• Hamilton City Council Event Sponsorship Committee (2016)
• Creative Waikato Founders Theatre Future Options Consultation (2016)
Having established a strong advocacy platform there is now a need to focus on implementation –the development and growth of Māori Tourism product and participation by Māori in the sector. Tourism development (if well managed) offers the opportunity to meet the stated aims of a wide range of national and regional stakeholders by enhancing economic, cultural, social and environmental wellbeing. We are seeking strategic collaborative funding to enhance our work programme throughout the region.
The Waikato River Festival –He Piko He Taniwha project aims to broaden and strengthen the cultural tourism attributes of our region and provide a platform for product development and collaboration along the length of our most iconic geographical feature –the Mighty Waikato River.
We are a strategic partner of this key regional initiative. In addition, TWTI has supported key hui relating to tourism development in the region including:
• He Piko He Taniwha –Realising the cultural tourism potential of the Waikato (2018)
• Waikato Tainui Tourism Symposium, Hopuhopu (2017)
• Hamilton&Waikato Tourism Opportunities Plan (2016)
• Tainui Waka Rohe Tourism Growth Workshop –Exploring Opportunities (2015)
• Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Regional Industry Symposiums (2010 –2018)
This project aims to broaden and strengthen the cultural tourism attributes of the regions main commercial hub - Kirikiriroa (Hamilton).
As Kirikiriroa currently has the greatest capacity in terms of accommodation and hospitality services it is a logical and pragmatic starting point in terms of the development of cultural tourism product.
Of particular note, this project aims to attract and anchor international visitation in the region in support of the Hub & Spoke strategy.
If we can attract more visitors to commit to staying overnight in the region this will provide an invaluable platform to grow visitor numbers to other operators throughout the region.
Our promotional strategy to date has focused on leveraging off the activities of our members, our strategic events and collaborative regional familiarisation initiatives to generate regional, national and international publicity that raises awareness of the cultural tourism potential of the region.
For instance, we hosted the Welsh International Rugby team on a ½ day cultural exchange (including waka tangata experience on the Waikato River). We also hosted AKB48 (one of the highest income earning pop groups in the world) on a cultural exchange at Te Parapara.
In addition we have supported a number of operators and regional/national tourism agencies with the hosting of visiting international media.
