Welcome to Murihiku Southland.

Arrival and check-in at your hotel in Invercargill. 

Gather with your fellow delegates in the lobby of The Langlands Hotel.

Ensure you are wearing your personalised lanyard.

4:30pm

Bus Transfer to Bill Richardson Transport World.

Evening Experience | Bill Richardson Transport World

Stunningly crafted within a world-class facility, stepping into Bill Richardson Transport World will wow with its sheer size and scale. A lifetime of passion is woven throughout 15,000 square metres. Housed within entrepreneur Bill Richardson’s original sheds, as well as a sleek and modern space designed to showcase this astounding collection, there are literally hundreds of vehicles and retro petrol bowsers polished and buffed to gleaming perfection. Find retro Kombis, Henry Ford Letter cars, and stunning 1930s V8s inside. Bill’s family have transformed the collection and infused their own interests within it, to create an emporium of admiration for everything wheels.

Delegates have the option of exploring the museum or you can head to the bar and grab a drink. 

Mihi Whakatau.

The second wānanga will be opened with a mihi whakatau.

6:00pm

Welcome to Murihiku Southland

Delegates will be officially welcomed to the Southland region by Chair of Great South, Ian Collier.

Continuation of our Te Ūnga Mai Journey

RTNZ’s David Perks and Kiri Goulter will recap our Te Ūnga Mai journey so far and preview the agenda highlights for wānanga tuarua. 

The Transport World Story.

Transport World’s Jocelyn O’Donnell will welcome us to the venue and share the Transport World Story.

Dessert served and scheduled evening activity ends.

Delegates will depart on buses back to accommodation. 

Delegates will be welcomed on to the marae with a Powhiri.

Our waiata for the powhiri are: Ma Wai Rā and Te Aroha.

Bluff Motupōhue Tourism Master Plan 

This session will cover the significance of Bluff and why a master plan was needed, who was involved and how the different aspirations, perspectives and needs of the community and key stakeholders were bought together, the process to develop the plan, how the plan works and our implementation progress.

Lunch – Oyster Cove/Anchorage

Buffet lunch will be served at Oyster Cove.
Great South will be hosting a smaller group at the Anchorage.

International Keynote: Transformational Opportunities and the Power of Events

A look at the international context for destinations from Destinations International. Jane will explore transformational opportunities for destinations focused on values-based action including EDI and organisational resilience as well as the beyond tourism impact of events.

RTO Showcase: Stream One 

Queenstown and Wānaka Regenerative Destination Management Plan

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique opportunity to rethink the visitor sector’s purpose, the principles by which we operate and how we measure success. Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) have partnered to develop a destination management plan for the district, focused on regenerative tourism by 2030.

RTO Showcase: Stream Two

Coastal Arts Trail

The Coastal Arts Trail is an easy self-drive itinerary of the art galleries, museums and open studios along the central North Island’s West Coast. The trail follows a pulse of creativity running through Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatū, offering insight into the lives and inspirations of artists and creatives.

Building a Regional Identity

Janet will discuss Manawatū’s first DMP which identified the lack of, and need for, a unified regional identity. Hear how Manawatū utilised an opportunity to build a compelling, cohesive, and real identity for our region that would resonate with our different audiences, from investors, and business, to talent, and visitors alike. Janet will discuss the many learnings, hurdles and pivots but also how it built long lasting relationships based on mutual trust and respect. 

Project: Ambassador Programme

HWT developed the Kirikiriroa Hamilton Ambassador Programme during 2018, launched in 2019 and prior to Covid, had trained over 200 Ambassadors for the city.  With STAPP funding, we embarked on developing a further four Ambassador programmes for the rest of the region.  Nicola will share the journey, how the programme works, some of the challenges of developing the programme and the benefits realised since training Ambassadors.

RTO Showcase: Stream Three

Early research findings – Lifetime Value of a Visitor 

Hot off the press! Dylan will provide an overview of the early findings of independent research commissioned to understand the Lifetime Value of a Visitor. The research looks beyond the existing metrics of tourism’s value to Aotearoa, in an attempt to understand the true ‘lifetime’ value of manuhiri to our shores. This kaupapa was a collaboration between Queenstown Lakes District Council, Destination Queenstown, Tourism Central Otago and Auckland Unlimited. 

Auckland’s Visitor Economy – Towards a Low-Carbon Future

The visitor economy sector puts pressure on the environment, and there is also a need to respond to climate challenges that line up with Auckland’s climate targets. In parallel, Auckland Unlimited released two key strategies – the Destination AKL 2025 strategy, and the ‘DARP’ Destination AKL Recovery Plan, which both put sustainability front-and centre, and both identified the need for:

• Baseline data – A better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Auckland’s visitor economy, in terms of emissions and sustainability more broadly
• Leadership and an action plan, developed in collaboration with the sector, to “guide the visitor economy’s recovery towards a more resilient, adaptable and low impact (regenerative) sector”

This report sets out the highlights from the baseline data, and an action plan to help Auckland transition to a low carbon visitor economy. The outputs were developed by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and sector organisations, via a series of workshops.

RTO Showcase: Stream Four

Marahau Pledge and Visitors Supporting the Environment Initiatives

The Marahau Pledge is the collaboration of nine Abel Tasman operators have formed a new regenerative tourism initiative aiming for 100% carbon neutral operations derived from offsets, ticket fees, and knowledge sharing.

Visitors Supporting the Environment is the development of programmes whereby visitors to Nelson Tasman can support the environment be it macro e.g.  transportation mitigation (EV, with friend, cycle, offset emissions), eat local, carbon zero itinerary or micro – participation e.g. active involvement. This includes educating operators to pilot/sell their own visitor experience, facilitating training in and uptake of improved environmental, social and cultural sustainability practices , and communication to the potential visitor.

TBOP’s Regenerative Tourism Journey

Travelling increases empathy, forges friendships between strangers and reveals a broader perspective. When designed with intention, a place’s tourism industry can contribute to a higher purpose that supports residents and the natural environment.To find balance, Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi | Tourism Bay of Plenty plans for the future with a realistic view.

Delegates depart Transport World via bus.

Evening Experience | Classic Motorcycle Mecca

Invercargill’s motorcycle museum, Classic Motorcycle Mecca, is housed in a nostalgic space that champions both the heritage of the inner-city buildings it calls home and creates a beating heart for the motorcycling community. Classic Motorcycle Mecca is widely regarded as the finest motorcycle museum in the Southern Hemisphere and offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with a superb and varied collection of motorcycles. The motorcycles range from early examples dating back to 1902 through to the sleekest of modern machines, and hail from all over the world – here you can see examples of British, American, Japanese and even the occasional homegrown bike, as well as a collection of speedway and motocross machines.

Invercargill CBD Development

Opening to the public in two stages in 2022, the CBD redevelopment project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to give Invercargill a bright and bustling city centre where all manner of business and interaction can take place. The project is a joint venture between O’Donnell CBD Ltd, the Invercargill City Council and the Provincial Growth Fund. Careful consideration was given to design a contemporary, functional centre that provided an engaging customer experience while remaining in scale with the existing buildings surrounding it. Scott O’Donnell, Invercargill Central Ltd Director, will take us on a visual journey of this development. 

08:55am

Waiata Practice

Ten minutes of facilitated group waiata practice: Ma wai rā and Ko Te Aroha.
The opportunity for you to practice your Te Reo and increase your confidence in cultural protocol and tikanga.

Strategic Storytelling to Promote Sustainable Tourism

By putting sustainability at the core of their business model, destinations and communities are positioning themselves for success as we emerge from the pandemic. Showcasing inspiring, real-life examples from GLP’s award-winning films and global case studies, Rob Holmes will provide best practices and insider tips to building out your content marketing strategy by putting authentic storytelling and sustainability at the heart of your strategic communications program.

Enabling Community Wellbeing Through Tourism

Collaborative place based change is exciting and challenging – no silver bullets. It’s hard work, takes time, relies on cumulative small steps, and participatory/facilitative mindsets. This session will explore the power and potential of local places to make change happen including inspiring stories of communities leading change from across Aotearoa and principles and practices that support locally-led change and development.

Hikoia Te Korero | Walking The Talk: How Do We Honour The Tiaki Promise Ourselves?

This session will explore some of the whakapapa of the TIAKI promise and whakapapa as a potent people and place based provenance paradigm through sharing insights and projects that provide valuable lessons and guidance for navigating the geo-political landscape and potential of Te Ao Māori in our experience economy.

Allocated Workshop One | Strategic Initiatives for CEs & GMs 

This session will cover strategic initiatives for the CEs and GMs of the RTOs. 

Allocated Workshop Two | Bringing your Destination Management Plan to Life 

As a follow-on to Megan’s earlier session, this workshop will deliver some helpful tips and tools from community-led development including partnerships with community and stakeholders. 

The Role of RTO’s in driving regional innovation

Understand the role of innovation and creativity in solving your destination challenges

Evening Experience | Transport World

Evening Theme: ‘Something that makes you shine’

This evening is all about celebrating the wonderful mahi that has been happening within each of our regions and this a wrap up of the Te Ūnga Mai programme. Dinner will be hosted in Bill’s Shed of Transport World – home to some of the best in the Bill Richardson Transport World collection: Henry Ford letter cars, mid-century convertibles, trucks galore, a wearable arts mezzanine, and quirky bathrooms that have to be seen to be believed.

Dinner is a three course alternate drop with a carefully chosen, bespoke menu.

During the evening, RTNZ Chair, David Perks and Destination Management Director, Kiri Goulter will be highlighting key achievements within our regions, followed by a presentation of visuals of this work.

The evening will finish up with entertainment from local band – Jetset. Bring your dancing shoes!

All delegates to meet at the Civic Theatre, Invercargill.

The Civic Theatre is a short walk from all hotels. You can head straight there or you can meet participants outside the Langlands Hotel at 8:15am. 

Waiata Practice

Ten minutes of facilitated group waiata practice: Ma wai rā and Ko Te Aroha. 
The opportunity for you to practice your Te Reo and increase your confidence in cultural protocol and tikanga.

Great South Destination Management Story 

This session will cover the development of the Great South original Destination Management plan which was released in 2019 making them one of the first RTOs to begin this journey, discover their progress and key achievements, key learnings and looking forward – the review of the Destination Management plan which is currently underway.

From Here to There | Operator Panel Discussion Facilitated by Rod Oram

Facilitator Rod Oram will facilitate a panel discussion with a group of Southland based operators. These operators will share personal and professional insights from what has been a challenging few years as well as discuss risks in tourism and how to turn these into strategic opportunities for our environmental, social and cultural well-being.

Te Unga Mai Programme Wrap Up

RTNZ’s David Perks and Kiri Goulter will close out our time together in Southland and as part of Te Ūnga Mai.

Closing karakia and farewell from RTNZ

Depart Murihiku Southland

Transport to Airport