GLACIAL SPA
Ngāi Tahu is the main Maori tribe of south New Zealand
TRIBAL GATHERING
Ngāi Tahu, an entrepreneurial Maori tribe, has a growing wellness tourism portfolio in New Zealand. Jennifer Harbottle takes a look at how its built up business and its plans for hot springs developments
I 80
f you’re one of the millions who’ve visited the land of the long white cloud, chances are you’ve also taken in at least one Ngāi Tahu Tourism (NTT) attraction.
NTT belongs to Ngāi Tahu, one of the
richest Maori tribes in New Zealand (see p84). The organisation owns and runs eight iconic visitor experiences across the country, including jetboat rides and a wildlife park (see p82). It’s also behind the Glacier Hot Pools on the South Island and has just announced plans to develop a second hot pool attraction in Queenstown.
MARKET GAP The Ngāi Tahu tribe entered the tourism industry more than 20 years ago by invest- ing in, and eventually fully acquiring, a number of nature-based leisure operations under NTT. A key business included
guided tours of the Franz Josef Glacier in the Southern Alps, an area famous for its outdoor activities – there’s hiking, cycling and kayaking as well as the glacial walk. But NTT felt something was missing. “Our [market] research showed visitors wanted a more leisurely offer, as well as something that could be done at night and enjoyed by all demographics,” says Kerry Myers, a regional sales and marketing manager for NTT. People kept suggesting something for relaxation and rejuvenation in the research. This prompted NTT to develop the Glacier Hot Pools, its first start-up venture, which opened in 2008. “We decided the hot pools were the
perfect mix with all the other activities on offer in the area. They gave visitors a chance to relax after a few days in the wilderness and had the added benefit of being an all-weather attraction.”
DIPPING IN The popular Glacier Hot Pools attraction is nested within a rainforest at the footfalls of the Franz Josef Glacier. It’s a natural setting that’s fitting for the outdoor activities market it targets. Currently, facilities consist of three
public and three private pools – which range in temperature from 36-40˚C – and a massage facility. But plans for expansion include up to 11 more pools. The public pools are located at the front
of the property and for NZ$25 (US$22, €16, £13) guests can spend as long as they want in them. For a more exclusive experience, the private pools are set deeper into the rainforest and cost NZ$85 (US$74, €55, £43) for 45 minutes and can hold up to four people. They have dedicated chang- ing facilities and the price also includes entry into the public pools.
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PHOTO SUPPLIED BY TE RĀNANGA O NGĀI TAHU
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