Posts Tagged ‘DOC’
NZx: February 10th Manaakitanga in the C21
Naumai
Is this really the best manaakitanga we can offer?
Tourism New Zealand suggests: the meaning of manaakitanga is much broader than a one word or direct translation.
It can be broken down into three parts: mana-ā-ki which loosely translates as ‘the power of the word’ and reminds hosts to be expressive and fluent in welcoming visitors.
Another explanation has the words mana / prestige and ki te tangata / to the people – pointing out the importance of enhancing the mana which covers the integrity, status / prestige, and power of guests.
Here, as our experience suggests, a great day out was left wanting in manaakitanga by our introduction to Fullers ferry and the introduction by staff on arrival at Rotoroa Island.
Our manaakitanga component started off by having to queue for the ferry. No big deal but despite being early morning it was a burning , windless day. People who had queued early inside the perspex cover were eventually forced to abandon their place in line and escape the hot tapped air. It was seriously stifling.
There was general confusion about who was queuing for what. Was this the ferry to Rangitoto, Tiritiri Matangi or Rotoroa Island? No signs, or technology, not even temporary, just two staff that came and went answering the same questions as to the destination.
Two minutes after leaving the wharf we returned – someone had got on the wrong ferry……. That’s despite a handheld scanner that supposedly scanned everybody aboard including our mobile phone downloaded tickets. Only problem was it couldn’t read the bar code on our phone!
On arrival all seventy plus of us were crammed into a small hot shed on the wharf and given a rambling presentation about the history, issues and do’s and dont’s on the Island. We fully support the bio-security intent behind this – but having endured countless windblown ( you can’t here the words and often the speakers aren’t great) welcomes at Tiritiri Matangi and other DOC/partner managed islands, one has to wonder is there a better way? It is human nature to not what to be confined (see Maslow) and to be acknowledged and treated with intelligence. This and other Island welcomes don’t do this! DOC and it’s partners should use other ways of pushing the bio-security message to what is mostly an already knowledgeable audience.
The final straw was when the ranger announced a different ferry departure time back to Auckland than that advertised in the various Fullers media. Normally extra time on an Island such as Rotoroa would be great, but we had organised a busy late afternoon around the quoted departure time and arrival back in Auckland.
The last comment the ranger made before “releasing us” was to invite us back inside the shed before we got on the return ferry – surely not!
In the end it was with much thankfulness that the staff on Rotoroa didn’t invite us back into the hot little shed on the wharf to say haere ra! Everyone was far too busy enjoying the sunshine, swimming off the wharf an enjoying their last minutes on the Island.
Rotoroa Island is a fantastic day out. But two of the key partners need to up their game in the manaakitanga stakes. The basic mana of visitors just isn’t being respected.
Ka kite ano
Sculpture on Rotoroa
Island
NZx December 20th: a “professional ” approach
Naumai
A recent trip to the West Coast led to the cycleway around Greymouth and Hokitika. Great concept if still some work to do. Pity about the image below, which I think is an attempt to warn us about some track maintenance.
Obviously its almost impossible to read, creates a poor image and is disrespectful of the great work being done on the cycleway.
The sign was a 15 minute drive from Hokitika, easy access!
Ka kite ano
DOC’s “professional” approach to visitor information?
NZx 1st June: new beginnings
Naumai
Is this a new beginning? The Department of Conservation has restructured and both the Director General and the Minister assure us it’s business as usual – all be it with a twist.
The Department will now develop partnerships with business as a way of generating revenue for conservation. Good in theory but what about the potential clash with sanctuary’s and other key iconic conservation projects that are chasing the same opportunities.
The Government’s current funding model in this area is contestable. Large community based projects are up against small locally driven initiatives for what is a small pot. The end result is that the small pot is diluted and so therefore are the conservation gains.
So where does that leave sanctuary’s? We contribute in a major way to the social, economic, environmental and spiritual wealth of New Zealand. One might argue that between the main 6-10 sanctuary’s, and other key iconic conservation projects, we offer the best hope for restoring what we have all lost.
As yet none of us generate enough revenue to be self sustainable. Until such time as we do we must rely on community support, volunteers and corporate sponsorship. All of these are in the same space the Department is moving too……..
If the Minister and the Department wish to choose another path which puts them in direct conflict with sanctuary’s survival both he, and they, may leave a sad legacy.
New beginnings – lets wait and see…..
Ka kite ano
Malcolm
koru on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds
NZx 4th December: Restoring the DOC
Naumai
So what’s new the Department of Conservation is restructuring….yet again.
This seems to be a reoccurring event, at least every few years. Combine this with distinct shift to off load many of the Department’s responsibilities onto community groups and you have to shake your head.
In our case we are effectively doing the Department’s job. With a paltry budget of over $ 1.5 million we struggle to protect what we have. Yet we are investing in and creating a new future for much of New Zealand’s endangered wildlife and taonga. Go figure how that works!
I don’t blame the Department for the current situation. Political masters are at work here and DOC has always been an easy target for politicians.
The once proud mission cry of “restoring the dawn chorus” once struck a chord with many New Zealanders.
Perhaps it should be now reworded to say “restoring the DOC”.
Ka kite ano
Malcolm
keeping the bad things out and our taonga safe