Interpretation New Zealand

Naumai

One of the challenges for attractions is to keep the visitor experience fresh and alive. Regular change and emotional connection is a necessity of designing successful visitor experiences.

While Tilden’s   https://prezi.com/s1qrbgvpu7ik/tildens-principles-of-interpretation/   principles of interpretation were written in the late 1950’s they still apply today.

Without provocation the visitor experience risks being compromised and becoming purely a source of information – after all interpretation (the art of sharing stories and experiences) is not information!

Visiting the indigenous Tjapukai Cultural Centre in Cairns recently was case in point. There has been some attempt to use Tildens principles, particularly in the areas of reveal and age related experiences. Unfortunately the low point came when we were served “authentic”  bush tucker – at a table complete with porcelain plates and in cups made in China. The damper was more like commercial bread. This was probably an attempt to placate potential food safety concerns, but it may also be an attempt to cater to the large wholesale group demands.

Whichever it was definitely not an authentic experience, and did little to provocate our thinking on indigenous foods!

Visiting Tjapukai ten years ago was a highlight of the Queensland experience. We were emotionally  moved but this time the sanitized experience left us cold.

Ka kite ano

indigenous food at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park