Mäori Regional Tourism Funding
Associate Minister of Tourism Parekura Horomia says funding assistance to four regional Mäori tourism organisations is a major step towards increasing Mäori participation in New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry.
Mr Horomia announced funding assistance for organisations at the Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga Economic Summit in Napier today. The organisations are Taitokerau Mäori Cultural Tourism Association (Northland), Maunga Tu Maunga Ora (Taranaki), Mäori in Tourism Rotorua (Rotorua) and Te Ara A Maui (Wellington). Two further applications are expected to be approved soon.
Mr Horomia said the aim is to assist Mäori tourism organisations to promote and develop resources in the regions.
“The funding also recognises the need to strengthen relationships between Mäori tourism operators and industry associations, particularly existing regional tourism organisations. Regional development is often about the right people talking with each other at the right time so that they combine their collective energy for the benefit of the region.”
Mr Horomia said the assistance is another government initiative that addresses issues raised in the report He Matai Tapoi Maori – A study of barriers, impediments and opportunities for Maori in Tourism.
“There are issues unique to Maori operators. These include the lack of representation in key decision making positions on key industry organisations, the lack of protection of intellectual property, inadequate market research, difficulty in securing debt and equity financial and also inadequate and inappropriate industry training.”
Mr Horomia said Maoridom has assets with tremendous potential – its people, its land-based resources and intellectual property.
“I am pleased to say the Labour-Alliance government is committed to the development of these assets, for the benefit of Maoridom and also for the country as a whole.”
Questions and Answers
Who are each of the organisations and who do they represent?
Taitokerau Mäori and Cultural Tourism
Association
The Taitokerau Mäori and Cultural Tourism
Association was established as an incorporated soceity in
1996 to foster the development of Mäori and cultural tourism
operators and associated stakeholders in Tai Tokerau for
their mutual support, sustainable development, and the wider
socio-economic benefit of Tai Tokerau. The Association
covers the Tai Tokerau region north of Auckland.
Contact: Johnny Edmonds Phone/Fax 09 402
5139.
Taranaki Mäori Tourism Group
The Taranaki Mäori
Tourism Group was formed under the umbrella of the Maunga Tu
Maunga Ora Mäori Business Development Agency set up in June
2001. The Tourism goal for Maunga Tu Maunga Ora is to
develop a Tourism organisation catering for the development
of Mäori Tourism Product in the Taranaki and Whanganui
regions.
Contact Darran Parata Phone 06 278 4452.
Mäori
in Tourism Rotorua
Mäori in Tourism Rotorua was formally
established in 1997as an incorporated society to act as the
voice of Mäori owned and operated businesses in or deriving
benefit from the Tourism Industry in Rotorua. Mäori in
Tourism Rotorua Incorporated has a history of active
involvement in tourism business, policy and related
activities at the local, regional and national levels. The
Association also enjoys strong existing relationships with
Tourism Rotorua (the RTO) and with other Mäori business
groups and the wider business community.
Contact Karen
Grant Phone 07 347 0590
Te Ara A Maui
Te Ara A Maui
was established in 1995 as a voice for Mäori tourism
operators in the tourism industry within the greater
Wellington region. Te Ara A Maui works with a number of
Mäori tourism operators to assist in their development in
the industry. Te Ara A Maui also has existing relationships
with the regional tourism marketing body, Centre Stage, and
will continue to maintain and foster opportunities for Mäori
tourism operators in these forums.
Contact: John Barrett
025 288 3771
How is a region determined for Mäori regional tourism funding?
The size and coverage of a region for the purposes of this funding is defined by the applicants themselves. Where there is an overalp between two or more applications, Te Puni Kökiri will work with these groups to agree on the boundaries different organisations will cover.
How much funding will each of the organisations receive?
The organisations will receive up to $90,000 each over three years. The funding is paid in declining amounts from $50,000 in year one, $30,000 in year two, and $10,000 in year three. One of the reasons for this is to encourage the organisations to develop strategies to be self-funding over time.
What outcomes are expected for
the funding that has been allocated?
The purpose of the
funding is to assist Mäori regional tourism organisations to
develop business capabilities within Mäori tourism
businesses and promote the interests of Mäori tourism within
key industry organisations. This is expected to enhance the
quality of Mäori tourism in the region and stronger
relationships with existing Regional Tourism
Organisations.
Who will monitor the contracts?
The
contracts will be monitored by Te Puni Kökiri’s regional
offices in the same way as other funding. This will include
reviewing the quality of deliverables, and maintaining
periodic contact with the organisations to provide other
assistance as necessary.
What is the criteria used to
select the tourism organisatons?
Funding proposals were
assessed against the following criteria:
- Proposal
clearly sets out how the Mäori regional tourism organisation
will address the purposes of the funding;
- Evidence of
accountability to and support for the proposal from an
existing network of Mäori tourism operators;
- Evidence
of co-operation across the region and with iwi within the
region;
- Evidence of priority on promoting the interests
of Mäori tourism operators in their region;
- Evidence of
management structures, systems and financial management
procedures in place;
- Proposal realistically sets out
strategies indicating how financial sustainability of the
organisation will be achieved beyond the proposed funding
(including evidence of existing viability where relevant);
- Evidence of existing relationships or potential for
relationships with regional tourism organisations and other
industry associations; and
- No other competing bid from
a Mäori regional tourism organisation in the
area.
What effect will this have on the Regional
Tourism Industry bodies?
The Mäori regional tourism
organisation funding is not expected to replace or assume
the responsibilities of existing regional tourism bodies.
The Government would however like to see existing regional
tourism bodies and Mäori regional tourism groups working
more closely
together.