Interpretation New Zealand

Naumai

Northland /Te Tai  Tokerau is a fantastic place. There are many icons to visit here; Tane Mahuta, Russell, Waitangi, Cape Reinga or any beach with golden sands, pohutakawa and sparking blue sea.

A recent visit to Northland enabled us to spend some time exploring both the icons and the back roads.

The icons are all there, service was mostly good but some of the infrastructure was looking decidedly tired and away from the icons – empty. Most of the tourism entities were either staffed by Caucasian or international transients.  While hyped up with great marketing the cultural interaction was limited, oversold and didn’t address many of the basics of great visitor experiences.

Beyond the icons it wasn’t to hard to find another story. Hints of elitism, exclusion and then poverty and well… another world one which most New Zealanders aren’t aware of..

It’s sometimes useful to look beyond our initial impressions, and to reflect on how tourism could provide a positive contribution to all in it’s community.

Ka kite ano

Tane Mahuta – a Northland /    Te Tai Tokerau icon