Maori-Pakeha culture blend works for tourism

September 30 2004

BUSINESS CLASS shows how Maori-Pakeha culture blend works for tourism
TV3 – this Sunday 12.30pm

How the rich blend of Maori and Pakeha cultures works in the tourism sector for international visitors and New Zealanders alike is the focal point of Business Class on TV3 (12.30pm) this Sunday.

Business Class goes behind the scenes in the tourism industry and, in the Korero segment of the programme this Sunday, viewers can check out the successful Maori-Pakeha amalgam at Orongo Bay Homestead in the Bay of Islands. Here hosts Chris Wharehinga Swannell and Michael Hooper offer a fusion of both cultures, carrying this through into the detail that makes a visit to the lodge infinitely memorable… anyone for horopito garnished rack of lamb or garden mint scented towels?

The relationship of both cultures in tourism is discussed in the Focus segment where four industry leaders are interviewed – Wally Stone, Chairman of Whale Watch Kaikoura and current Chairman of Tourism New Zealand; Richard Jones, CEO of Poutama Trust, a Maori business development service; Ray Salter, General Manager of the Ministry of Tourism; and John Sanford, CEO of Jasons Travel Media.

Business Class Executive Producer and Presenter Tui Ruwhiu said tourism is a sector that Maori can readily excel in.

“Maori are ideally positioned to take advantage of the growing tourism sector. It’s a people business and Maori naturally have the warmth, friendliness and personality to make ideal hosts. Added to this they have many of the assets that visitors come here to enjoy, such as the pristine coastline and wilderness areas,” he said.

“However, like their Pakeha colleagues in the industry, it is critical that Maori develop the business skills that make for a successful company and apply them. Business Class helps show the way in this respect.”
This week’s Showcase segment of the programme takes a look at centuries-old techniques brought to New Zealand from Sweden by Högland Glass in Nelson where visitors can get serious about purchasing fine art as well as having some hands-on fun trying glass blowing and glass bead making.

The Business Briefing segment of the show delves into how effective workplace communication provides for a happy environment in which workers thrive and give their best.

Business Class Presenters

Business Class itself is a blend of Maori and Pakeha. Executive Producer and Presenter Tui Ruwhiu, has more than 15 years of international experience in travel, entertainment and information programming and publishing.

Tui is currently an Executive Director of Fresh Media Limited, a marketing communications consultancy and production company. Fresh Media was recently contracted for three and a half years to provide across-the-board business and marketing consultancy and services to Taranaki as an integral part of the only privately operated regional tourism organisation (RTO) in the country. Tui’s responsibilities in Taranaki during this period were as the RTO’s Chairman and for a short time as the interim Chief Executive.

Co-Presenter and Director, Danni Mulrennan, is a former TVNZ journalist and Sky Movie Channel Presenter, who also set up and presented TRANSTASMAN TV, the award winning in-flight entertainment programmes screened on all Air New Zealand between New Zealand and Australian routes.

She has also won awards for her programming work for the airline’s First Class and Business Class programming.

Danni has a sound knowledge of key tourism destinations both sides of the Tasman and an in-depth an understanding of tourism trends and consumer interests.

ENDS

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