Kōrero: Tourist industry

Tourism is a major industry in New Zealand, employing nearly 10% of the workforce. The country’s stunning, unspoilt landscapes, adventurous activities and clean green image attract a wide variety of travellers from all over the world.

He kōrero nā Margaret McClure
Te āhua nui: New Zealand Railways poster from 1930

He korero whakarapopoto

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Early tourism

Tourists – usually wealthy travellers from Britain, Australia or the United States – have been coming to New Zealand to see the natural beauty and rugged landscapes since the late 19th century. The first local guidebook was published in 1882.

Rotorua

Rotorua’s impressive geysers and hot springs were popular with tourists. Māori developed the tourist industry there, providing guides, canoes, meals, accommodation and entertainment. The Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana were a main attraction until they were destroyed or buried by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886.

People believed that the waters from the hot springs cured all types of diseases, so in the early 1900s the government developed spa health resorts in Rotorua.

Southern Alps

In the 19th century the South Island’s main tourist areas were Aoraki/Mt Cook, the West Coast glaciers, Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound. Because of the weather and their remoteness most of these places were only accessible for five months a year, so hotels and huts were empty much of the time.

The first motor coach service to Aoraki/Mt Cook started in 1906 and skifields were set up, but it was difficult to get enough tourists to make a profit.

Local tourists

In the early 20th century, New Zealanders enjoyed day excursions to places like Caroline Bay in Timaru, Arthur’s Pass, Rotorua, Te Aroha, Waitomo Caves and Waihī Beach. As private motor vehicles became more common, families explored South Island lakes and far north beaches. New Zealanders generally enjoyed simple holidays, staying in baches (holiday huts) or caravans.

International tourists

In the mid-20th century, international visitors thought New Zealand very backward – the whole country seemed to close down at weekends.

In the 1960s jet aircraft started flying from Britain and the United States to New Zealand. This made it easier and cheaper for people to travel to New Zealand and the tourist industry grew quickly.

The government tried to find more ways to entertain tourists. It lent money for people to build tourist facilities, like the Agrodome in Rotorua, which has farming displays and shows.

More people from non-English-speaking countries, like Japan, Germany and China, started to visit New Zealand.

Adventure and ecotourism

In 1988 the world’s first commercial bungy jump was opened near Queenstown. With other activities like jet boating, skiing, rafting and paragliding, Queenstown became known as the adventure capital of the world.

Wildlife and nature tours, such as whale-watching trips from Kaikōura, also became popular.

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārangi:

Margaret McClure, 'Tourist industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/tourist-industry (accessed 28 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Margaret McClure, i tāngia i te 11 o Māehe 2010