Latest news with #NewZealandMāoriArtsandCraftsInstitute
1News
08-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Fall in love with Rotorua: Māori tourism puts best foot forward
The country's largest tourism trade event, TRENZ, is underway in Rotorua showcasing some of the best places and experiences the region and country has to offer in a bid to attract more visitors to our shores, and the local Māori tourism industry is putting its best foot forward. Sean Marsh, Te Puia – New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute's sale and marketing general manager, said it was important that international visitors returned home having "fallen in love with Rotorua". Last night, Te Puia hosted the welcoming event where Te Matatini 2025 champions Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue made a surprise performance. "Nearly a thousand people arrived to Rotorua, and it's our job to manaaki them and welcome them in the best way that we know possible," Marsh said. The two-and-a-half day event is touted as the most important industry event on the calendar, connecting Aotearoa to the global tourism trade. Over its duration, the local economy is expected to get a boost of over $3 million in new spending. For Māori tourism businesses such as Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, it's an invaluable opportunity to make connections. "We envision that in three years' time we will have a large number of international travellers but they don't just show up at the door," said general manager Debbie Robertson. She said they engage with international buyers and travel agents and invite them to experience what makes them unique. "It's very important for Wai Ariki to be successful, not only for the facility, for our people. It's a large investment that we have and something we're proud of." Tourism in Aotearoa injects billions of dollars into the economy. In the year ending June 2024, tourist spending reached $11.6 billion, and according to a recent report, in 2023, Māori tourist businesses contributed $1.2 billion, up from $975 million in pre-Covid 2018. Tanya Robinson, general manager of Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, said they have made a good recovery post-Covid and have an increase in visitors above the national average. "We're thrilled about that because our organisation is also charitable [and] it's great to be able to employ our people to be able to return value to our community, to give back to our taonga heritage buildings, our environment which is where all the funds go that we earn through the business." The village is set in a geothermal landscape and offers a unique insight into Māori living. It's an iconic tourist attraction owned and operated by Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao. They have been in business for over 200 years and are always working to improve on what they offer their guests, said Robinson, and TRENZ allows them the opportunity to promote their experiences. "It's both how we get to know our customers but also how our customers get to know us, what our product is, and to learn about what our offering is." Dale Stephens, New Zealand Māori Tourism chair, said a lot of effort goes into getting things right to "show our best face to our visitors". "The opportunity for us to present all the various elements of tourism, especially our indigenous, our Māori tourism, to buyers from around the world who come and they look at what they can buy and then on sell to tourists who come to New Zealand [is important]." Today, the Government announced the removal of the requirement to certify translations of supporting documents for visitors' visa application. Instead, applicants will need to advise who translated the documents and the qualifications or experience of the translator. Tourism Minister Louise Upston said it was about removing the "friction" of having to certify English translations, bringing the requirements in line with Australia. She said they wanted to make it clear, especially to the China market, that New Zealand was open for business and "keen" for visitors to return. No doubt a welcome announcement for Māori tourism who, Stephens said, are enjoying an increase in Asian buyers coming into the country. "We know that the Asian markets are hugely important culturally to New Zealand, and to Māori tourism especially. We see this as a huge leap forward to us. "We appeal to all countries in the world but we have quite a unique tie with our Asian whānau."
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
6000 Athletes Set To Tackle Iconic Red Stag Rotorua Marathon
Press Release – Athletics New Zealand Rotorua Gears Up for a Spectacular Red Stag Rotorua Marathon Weekend The stage is set for one of New Zealand's most iconic running festivals, as the 2025 Red Stag Rotorua Marathon roars to life this weekend, with over 6,000 participants expected to take part across a series of exciting events. From the return of a legendary cultural relay to a brand-new forest trail course and a kids' run that brings schools together in celebration of movement, this year's event promises to be one of the most vibrant and community-driven editions yet. Thousands of Tamariki Take Over the Lakefront Kicking off the action on Friday morning, more than 2,400 tamariki will lace up for the Matthews Sport Vision Kids' Mini Marathon. Covering 2.2km along the Rotorua Lakefront, the event brings together students from dozens of local schools for kids of all ages to get active and involved with the Event Weekend. The Mini Marathon continues to grow each year, helping to foster a lifelong love of running among the next generation. Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay Returns Saturday morning will see the return of the Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay, held for the first time since the 1990s. Featuring over 25 teams and 900 participants, the relay is steeped in cultural significance, taking in ten stages across key sites around Rotorua, including eight marae and two awa (rivers). Each team is made up of around 30 runners of all ages. The relay begins at Te Papa-i-Ōuru Marae in Ōhinemutu, completes the iconic loop of the lake and finishes at the new Red Stag Rotorua Marathon event village. Whakarewarewa Forest Hosts New 12km Course A new addition to this year's schedule is the new Go Media 12km, which begins at Te Puia, a renowned Māori cultural and geothermal centre located in the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre, and the Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, erupting up to 20 times a day and reaching heights of 30 metres. Runners will start their journey near the geyser, experiencing the geothermal wonders before traversing the Whakarewarewa Forest, known for its towering redwoods and scenic trails. The course offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, providing participants with an unforgettable running experience. A New Era for the Finish Line For the first time, all events in the Red Stag Rotorua Marathon will finish in the heart of the newly redeveloped Rotorua Lakefront precinct, with a grand final stretch down the iconic Eat Streat. Runners will soak up the electric atmosphere as they descend the bustling dining boulevard, cheered on by crowds, before crossing the finish line outside the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside. This new finish experience has been designed to celebrate the final moments of each runner's journey, creating a festival-like environment for athletes, spectators, and supportersalike. With entertainment, food, and community all in one place, it's set to be one of the most memorable finishes in the event's storied history. National Titles on the Tarmac at Runway5 Saturday night will close with a bang as the Runway5 event takes over the Rotorua Airport runway. This fast and flat spectacle will double as the New Zealand 5km Road Championships, drawing the country's top speedsters to battle it out under lights for national honours. The people's 5km will see runners take on adventure under the stars, taking in the full length of the runway. A high-energy festival atmosphere , it's set to be a must-watch moment of the weekend. The Marathon kicks off at 8 am on Saturday 3 May from the Government Gardens before heading off for the historic and well-loved lap of the lake. This year the event hosts the 2025 NZ Master's Marathon Championships. Rotorua Local, Michael Voss returns to defend his Rotorua Marathon title. Last years runner up, Cullen Thorby is also set to challenge over 42.2km distance. Daniel Balchin will also be one to watch, coming into the race with a 2:22.25 best from Auckland in 2022. Billie-Lee Haresnape finished third in the 2022 edition of the event and returns in 2025. Also looking to be top contenders is Rachel O'Brien who finished 4th in 2024 with a strong 3:10. 21 performance, and Angela Hancock who enters with a best of 2.58.49 from Sydney Marathon in 2024.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
6000 Athletes Set To Tackle Iconic Red Stag Rotorua Marathon
Rotorua Gears Up for a Spectacular Red Stag Rotorua Marathon Weekend The stage is set for one of New Zealand's most iconic running festivals, as the 2025 Red Stag Rotorua Marathon roars to life this weekend, with over 6,000 participants expected to take part across a series of exciting events. From the return of a legendary cultural relay to a brand-new forest trail course and a kids' run that brings schools together in celebration of movement, this year's event promises to be one of the most vibrant and community-driven editions yet. Thousands of Tamariki Take Over the Lakefront Kicking off the action on Friday morning, more than 2,400 tamariki will lace up for the Matthews Sport Vision Kids' Mini Marathon. Covering 2.2km along the Rotorua Lakefront, the event brings together students from dozens of local schools for kids of all ages to get active and involved with the Event Weekend. The Mini Marathon continues to grow each year, helping to foster a lifelong love of running among the next generation. Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay Returns Saturday morning will see the return of the Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay, held for the first time since the 1990s. Featuring over 25 teams and 900 participants, the relay is steeped in cultural significance, taking in ten stages across key sites around Rotorua, including eight marae and two awa (rivers). Each team is made up of around 30 runners of all ages. The relay begins at Te Papa-i-Ōuru Marae in Ōhinemutu, completes the iconic loop of the lake and finishes at the new Red Stag Rotorua Marathon event village. Whakarewarewa Forest Hosts New 12km Course A new addition to this year's schedule is the new Go Media 12km, which begins at Te Puia, a renowned Māori cultural and geothermal centre located in the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre, and the Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, erupting up to 20 times a day and reaching heights of 30 metres. Runners will start their journey near the geyser, experiencing the geothermal wonders before traversing the Whakarewarewa Forest, known for its towering redwoods and scenic trails. The course offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, providing participants with an unforgettable running experience. A New Era for the Finish Line For the first time, all events in the Red Stag Rotorua Marathon will finish in the heart of the newly redeveloped Rotorua Lakefront precinct, with a grand final stretch down the iconic Eat Streat. Runners will soak up the electric atmosphere as they descend the bustling dining boulevard, cheered on by crowds, before crossing the finish line outside the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside. This new finish experience has been designed to celebrate the final moments of each runner's journey, creating a festival-like environment for athletes, spectators, and supportersalike. With entertainment, food, and community all in one place, it's set to be one of the most memorable finishes in the event's storied history. National Titles on the Tarmac at Runway5 Saturday night will close with a bang as the Runway5 event takes over the Rotorua Airport runway. This fast and flat spectacle will double as the New Zealand 5km Road Championships, drawing the country's top speedsters to battle it out under lights for national honours. The people's 5km will see runners take on adventure under the stars, taking in the full length of the runway. A high-energy festival atmosphere , it's set to be a must-watch moment of the weekend. The Marathon kicks off at 8 am on Saturday 3 May from the Government Gardens before heading off for the historic and well-loved lap of the lake. This year the event hosts the 2025 NZ Master's Marathon Championships. Rotorua Local, Michael Voss returns to defend his Rotorua Marathon title. Last years runner up, Cullen Thorby is also set to challenge over 42.2km distance. Daniel Balchin will also be one to watch, coming into the race with a 2:22.25 best from Auckland in 2022. Billie-Lee Haresnape finished third in the 2022 edition of the event and returns in 2025. Also looking to be top contenders is Rachel O'Brien who finished 4th in 2024 with a strong 3:10. 21 performance, and Angela Hancock who enters with a best of 2.58.49 from Sydney Marathon in 2024.
