Focus Groups: Western Kauri Corridor
Background
The Western Kauri Corridor concept has been developed with The Matakohe Museum, Kaipara District Council, Te Roroa Development Group, Footprints Waipoua, Crossings Hokianga, Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga and the Opononi Resort Hotel. All of these key parties have reviewed the Te Roroa Eco-Cultural Tourism Strategy and concur with the values and principles articulated in the Strategy document. Hence this Strategy Document seeks to build on the values in the Te Roroa Strategy to guide and develop the Western Kauri Corridor as the Eco Cultural Tourism Destination in Aotearoa.
The Western Kauri Corridor commences at Kaiwaka and follows the West Coast in all of its uniqueness to the Hokianga. The uniqueness of the Western Kauri Corridor is nestled in the Waipoua Forest being the last significant major stand of Kauri Rainforest in the world.
Strategy
The Western Kauri Corridor is based on key founding principles that unite the parties in their vision and aspiration for the Western Kauri Corridor.
Social: That sustainable employment options and secondary transactions support the local community of the Western Kauri Corridor to host and support eco tourism in the area.
Cultural: Te Roroa is recognised as the Mana Whenua of the Waipoua and surrounds and Te Uri O Hau is recognised as the Mana Whenua of the Kaipara and surrounds. Any cultural initiatives within the parties will have the approval of the Mana Whenua to ensure that the cultural products have cultural authenticity and integrity. That the cultural needs of tourists are considered in product development to ensure the aspects of Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga are delivered to tourists to the Western Kauri Corridor.
Economic: Strategies and Initiatives must be economically viable to offer returns to the operator and to the community. All parties acknowledge that investment often comes before returns and will work together to assess opportunities and investment directions.
Environmental: It is our environment that makes the Western Kauri Corridor unique and an international attraction. The Western Kauri Corridor Working Group commit to the principles of Eco Tourism to further protect, conserve, restore and enhance our environment.
Values and Vision
Eco-Tourism can be defined as:
"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local peoples." (TIES 1990)
Eco-Cultural Tourism can therefore be defined as:
"Responsible travel to natural areas managed by indigenous peoples that assists to conserve the environment and improve the wellbeing of the indigenous people."
The Te Roroa Commercial Development Company as a key party in the Western Kauri Corridor will consolidate practices based on eco-cultural tourism practices. Core to this is working with the Western Kauri Coast Partners to ensure that there is a consistency of cultural tourism practices, interpretation and support. Te Roroa will work with parties to support that these practices can be based on the above definition and require at a basic level that:
- Any negative environmental and social impacts are minimised/mitigated.
- Provides enjoyable experiences for tourists through meaningful connections with local people and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and economic issues.
- Any tourism venture contributes back to the environment in a meaningful way.
- That the local people benefit from any tourism venture.
- That Te Roroa as kaitiaki are actively involved in the management of the natural areas.
- That Te Roroa is actively engaged with tourism operators utilising the Te Roroa environment.
All partners in the Western Kauri Corridor Strategy commit to improving our environmental practices through:
- Properly managing and recycling garbage and wastes, and keeping natural areas litter-free.
- Not polluting or disturbing the natural habitat areas including water bodies.
- Control and management of visitors' behaviour in and around sensitive wildlife habitat areas.
- the use of native species to promote wildlife use.
- the use of sustainable practices when harvesting natural products.
- Minimizing and mitigating impacts on the environment.
- Return investment into the environment.
- Actively support and promote conservation, restoration and protection activities within the Western Kauri Corridor natural asset portfolio.
The Western Kauri Corridor Partners also commit to contributing to returns for local people through sound economic development opportunities based on the eco-cultural principles that includes but is not limited to:
- Promoting opportunities to learn by doing through 'hands-on' experiences and active participation.
- Offer visitors the opportunity to participate in onsite activities such as harvesting or creating natural products, monitoring wildlife, restoring natural areas, etc.
- Enhance visitors' learning with indigenous interpretive materials.
- Provide opportunities to learn about the areas historic and cultural characteristics.
- Buy local products and support local businesses.
- Help visitors learn how they can contribute to restoration and conservation of the areas natural and cultural resources.
Strategic Objectives
- Develop the Western Kauri Corridor as the Eco Tourism Destination of Excellence.
- Promote the Western Kauri Corridor through effective marketing and strategic relationships.
- Enhance the Environment.
- Return commercial benefits to partners and the communities of the Western Kauri Corridor.
- Host visitors with integrity and authenticity through the principles of Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga and Whakaruruhau.
Current Initiatives
Union of Ancient Trees: The relationship between Tane Mahuta and Jormon Sugi has created a platform to lever further market share in Japan. Further the initial relationship has also provided a basis from which community outcomes can be coupled with commercial outcomes. The next phase is to work with TNZ to develop the next relationship.
- Film at Yakushima Heritage Centre
- DOC and Te Roroa Exchange with Ministry for the Environment Japan
- Forest Festival 2011
- Fun Run May 2010
Marketing: The Western Kauri Corridor will have a consistent marketing framework that promotes the key principles and partners in the signage, media releases and initiatives to ensure that there is a constant branding and recognition imprint through all marketing processes.
- Signage at State Highway 1
- Signage at Hokianga
- Auckland International Airport
- Landing Page (web based)
International Promotion: The Western Kauri Corridor partners between them have a range of key relationships with Inbound Operators and International Tourist players. All partners will use these relationships to further the opportunities within the Western Kauri Corridor.
- BTM Mission Japan
- TRENZ 2010
Package Design: All partners are working in collaboration to develop dynamic packages to showcase the unique attributes and attractions of the Western Kauri Corridor.
- Oranga Whenua
- Footprints
- Crossings
- History of Kauri
- Lifecycle of Kauri
Community Partnerships: Partners are working with community partners such as the Department of Conservation to ensure consistency and shared decision making in a public private partnership model to further environmental and economic opportunities.
- National Park Exploration - NZCA
- Rakau Rangatira - Big Trees - DOC
Conclusion
This initial strategy document has been developed to provide an articulation of the key values, principles and activities of the Western Kauri Corridor partners. The foundation for this partnership is based on the environment and the uniqueness of the environment. All partners are committed to delivering on the principles of Eco Tourism in an authentic manner.