Sustainable Mori Tourism in Tai Tokerau: Representation and Reality

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Sustainable Mäori Tourism in Tai Tokerau
Representation and Reality

• James Henare Mäori Research Centre
• University of Auckland
• www.jhmrc.ac.nz

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Contextual factors

• Sustainability
• Community
• Cultural
• Ecosystem
• Commercial
• Economic

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Sustainable tourism

• Commercial activity which would meet the needs of
  present tourists and host regions, while
  protecting and enhancing opportunity for the
  future

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Research emphasis

• Development and use of
• Social cultural resources
• Natural environment
• Community-based mandated tourism
• Reflecting Mäori values

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Applied focus

• Processes necessary to establish a viable Mäori
  community-based tourist industry on the ground
• Developing and refining a theoretical model for
  national application

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Value to participants

• Expanding consciousness
• Awareness of the practical possibilities for the
  expansion of a leading-edge industry
• Drawing on local resources
• Under local control

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Pathways

• Identifying social and cultural factors which
  would support a sustainable, community-based
  tourist industry
• Exploring / heightening awareness of
• Local resources of interest to tourists
• Resources at hand for supporting tourism
• External sources of support and advice

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National significance

• Illuminating new opportunities for sustainable
  development in an economically depressed region
• Further development of a model to help
  communities organizations in other such regions
  to develop viable initiatives

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Special concerns

• Enhancing (not just respecting) integrity of the
  community and the place where they live
• Conservation of marine resources
• Protection of wähi tapu
• Restoration of degraded ecosystems
• Invasion of privacy

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Keys to success

• Commitment of whänau
• Imagination and empathy
• Manaakitanga
• Ability and willingness to network
• Access to sound advice
• Sufficient capital to avoid unsustainable
  indebtedness

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Web links General http//www.jhmrc.ac.nz Touri
sm Brief overview http//www.jhmrc.ac.nz/touris
m.htm (includes .PDF file of 1999 attitude
survey) Tourism publications Reports
papers http//www.jhmrc.ac.nz/reports-publication
s-fl.htmsusmaoritour Resources http//www.jhm
rc.ac.nz/reports-publications-fl.htmsusmt
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http//www.jhmrc.ac.nz/duc.htm The Tribes of
MuriwhenuaTheir Origins and Stories by Dorothy
Urlich Cloher, with Maori translations by
Merimeri Penfold  Launched at Mahimaru Marae,
Awanui, July 2002. ISBN 1-86940-269-3
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