Waimangu

 

On 7 August 2017, Ngāti Rangitihi alongside Tūhourangi and Te Puia | NZMACI announced their purchase of the Waimangu Volcanic Valley eco-tourism experience.

The business includes sightseeing tours looking at the unique ecology, rare botany and fascinating geothermal features of the valley including steaming volcanic crater lakes. It encompasses Lake Rotomahana and is set in pristine New Zealand bush 20 minutes south of Rotorua and 40 minutes north of Taupō.

We’re excited about the opportunity Waimangu presents to establish an economic base for our iwi that supports the development of our people for years to come.

You can see more at: www.waimangu.co.nz

Ngāti Rangitihi registered beneficiaries can also visit Waimangu for free. Book your visit here.

 

Trading highlights: 2018/2019

  • Visitor numbers: 59,822
  • Local visitors: 11%
  • International visitors: 89%
  • Freedom visitors: 75%

2019 update

Now in our second year of operations at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, our eco-tourism business has gone from strength to strength with consistent growth in visitor numbers and revenue.

We experienced sustainable growth in visitor numbers in our second year of trading. We continue to work to ensure we have the infrastructure in place to accommodate visitor numbers and we remain committed to economic sustainability also, and providing returns to our iwi. Our business model has a focus on yield, to allow economic growth through increased value and without dramatic increase in visitor numbers.

Throughout 2019, we implemented a range of projects across the business to raise the profile of the attraction. This included a complete rebrand, creation of a new website, development of visual assets and implementation of a new booking system and point of sale software. In December 2018, we launched the Waimangu App so that visitors can now rediscover the Pink and White Terraces through augmented reality. At the 2019 Westpac Rotorua Business Awards, Waimangu was proud to receive the Excellence in Tourism Award, honouring all parts of the business, and the Innovation & Technology Award for the development of the Waimangu App.

We have maintained a strong focus on sustainability that is core to our existence and role as kaitiaki of the area. In the past year, we have invested in a number of sustainability initiatives include installing solar panels on our visitor centre, additional pest control measures, and a full recycling and waste reduction programme. Our successes this year are testament to the dedicated mahi of a team of loyal, committed and knowledgeable staff who are involved in ensuring this venture is successful. In particular, we thank David Blackmore, our General Manager, who is doing a fantastic job in ensuring our taonga is protected for the future.