Maori tourism set for launch
A KARITANE runaka has moved to fill a gap in Maori tourism in Dunedin, with plans for a tourism operation featuring waka rides and cultural experiences.
Karitane Maori Tours is planning a September opening for the operation, which is being pitched at the Trenz conference this week.
Manager Alex Whitaker said there was plenty of room for more Maori tourism in Dunedin.
The Kati Huirapa Runaka at Karitane had been considering the issue for some time.
Mr Whitaker said the idea sprang from the Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki Waka club, which began providing waka experiences in Karitane in
2012.
‘‘The amount of people, groups, schools and businesses that have been booking through the waka club for that sort of experience, from that angle we’re almost doing it voluntarily.
‘‘It made sense to take it to the next level and open it up to tourists from all over the world.’’
Two managers — Mr
Whitaker and his wife Tania Turei — had been employed, and the plan was to ‘‘really kick off on a big scale’’ after winter.
The size of tours would determine how many tour guides would be employed, but he expected there would be three or four.
The offices of the Karitane runaka would be used for a traditional welcome, then tourists would be offered waka ama (outrigger waka) , and waka unua (twinhulled waka) experiences.
As well, there would be guided tours of Huriawa peninsula, the pa site at Karitane.
Shorter tours would be offered, and longer tours during which people could help plant native flora and be involved in the restoration of the surrounding land.
‘‘We’re catering for people who want a quick look at the environment and culture, and then longer tours for people who’ve got a bit more time to spend and want to spend the time helping to give back to the culture.’’
Tour guides would explain the history of the area, much of which was not in the public domain.
That would give people a clearer view of that history, and the context of the runaka within the environment.
The waka club would be contracted to provide the water experience, as members knew about the tides and conditions.
Ngai Tahu chief executive Quinton Hall said yesterday at the Trenz tourism event in Dunedin his organisation was working closely with runaka in Dunedin to support runaka and whanaubased tourism operations.