Small Business Success

OPTION 1 – CYCLING TOURISM

Go off the beaten track with Multiday Adventures and their experienced local mountain bike guides. Explore Rotorua’s Redwood Forest by bike and learn about the growth of cycling tourism and how you can capitalise on this trend.

Authentic experiences

OPTION 2 – WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY
 

Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Enjoy Rotorua's prime geothermal attraction while learning about sustainability and adapting to change. Waimangu evolved after the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is the only geothermal system in the world completely created within written history.  The valley supports native regenerating vegetation and many unusual geothermally-adapted plants.  An experienced guide will lead you on a 4km walking tour of silica terraces, geysers and other geothermal highlights.  Part of the trip is the Mount Haszard Trail, which follows the path taken by the first tourists to visit Waimangu Geyser in the early 1900s.  For those who want an active field trip, this is it.

Cultural tourism - Keeping it real

OPTION 3 – WHAKAREWAREWA THERMAL VILLAGE

Whakarewarewa thermal village – Find out what it's like to live and work in a tourism village when you meet the people of Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao. Learn about their traditions and culture. See firsthand how geothermal activity is used in everyday life including for cooking and communal bathing. Hear the unique stories of this special region from a Maori perspective.

Relationship building & partnerships 

OPTION 4 – AGROVENTURES

Agroventures – One of Rotorua's most established and successful tourism businesses, Agroventures offers a range of exciting and challenging activities with a focus on providing safe, fun and memorable experiences. Wind tunnels, super fast jets and bungy jumping are just some of the high-adrenalin experiences on offer. Hear how building strong and lasting partnerships, and focusing on collaboration has helped enhance and benefit this successful nature-based adventure business.  

Authentic experiences

OPTION 5 – TE UREWERA TREKS 

Te Urewera Treks - Journey with Jo Doherty into the remote indigenous podocarp and beech forests of Te Urewera and Whirinaki, where indigenous Maori culture is alive and thriving. See firsthand how Tuhoe guides bring the forest alive with their colourful stories of the region's histories and mysteries. Hear how this unique eco-cultural tourism operation was established and how it meets the ideals of ecotourism.

Conservation and community-being the difference in your environment

OPTION 6 – RAINBOW SPRINGS & KIWI ENCOUNTER
 

Rainbow Springs - Learn how to include conservation programmes into your business when you visit Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park - a conservation area spread over 22 acres and established around a natural spring of fresh water. A favourite tourism destination since 1932 .  and learn about how they have incorporated the Kiwi Encounter experience into their product offering.

Small business success

OPTION 7 – RIVERRATS RAFTING
 

Riverrats rafting - Learn from the best in the business how to improve and ensure safety in your tourism operation. River Rats Raft and Kayak have been offering quality rafting for over 25 years, priding themselves on their safety-first culture and attention to detail. Their trips range from gentle grade two scenic rafting to full-on grade five action over the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall. Prepare to get wet!

Cultural tourism-Keeping it real
 

OPTION 8 – TE PUIA

Te Puia NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute - Te Puia is a highly successful and iconic indigenous tourism operation. It is home to the internationally renowned Pohutu Geyser, national carving and weaving schools and the world famous Whakarewarewa guides. Share in Te Puia's heritage - a living legacy of people, culture and place. Learn how effective interpretation and storytelling has contributed to the success of Te Puia over the past 45 years.