How and where to celebrate Matariki this year

Matariki is an increasingly important celebration for New Zealanders, with 19 per cent of us marking it last year – up from 8 per cent three years ago. 

But a survey conducted by Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington in late 2017 also found that while 69 per cent of Kiwis were aware of Matariki, many still did not understand its significance. What is Matariki? 

Economic effects of Airbnb in New Zealand

Airbnb contributes to New Zealand’s tourism industry by facilitating accommodation bookings with local hosts. Around 578,000 stays were booked with Airbnb in New Zealand in 2017, with Airbnb hosts accommodating 1.4 million guests for over 1.5 million nights in towns and cities across the country. Around one quarter of trips booked were in Auckland, followed by Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington as the top four destinations in New Zealand.

Airbnb engaged Deloitte Access Economics to assess the economic contribution of Airbnb in New Zealand. This report quantifies the economic contribution of Airbnb guest spending to the New Zealand economy, as well as considering how Airbnb is aligned with government tourism objectives.

In 2017, the total economic contribution associated with the tourism expenditure of Airbnb guests in New Zealand was around $660 million in value added, supporting 6,006 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. An analysis of tourism policies across New Zealand finds Airbnb can help contribute to a number of their objectives, principally through expanding room supply, but also through enhancing the visitor experience.

Māori economy could be worth more than $50bil estimate

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the Māori economy could be worth more than $50bil.

The minister met with a Māori business network in Wellington and says more data is needed to work out how much revenue is generated from both small and medium Māori business enterprises (SMEs) to work out the value of the Māori economy.

Tā moko studio opens at Te Puia

Visitors to Te Puia and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) will be able to take away a permanent reminder of their visit with a new tā moko studio opening this week.

The studio will give visitors an insight into the traditional and contemporary art form and sits proudly alongside the Wānanga Precinct's existing disciplines – wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving and a bronze foundry. Accomplished tā moko artists Arekatera Maihi and Jacob Tautari will lead the studio.

NZMACI tumu whakairo rākau me te tā moko, Arekatera Maihi, said there had been the desire to create a tā moko experience for some time, but it needed to be done with the right level of integrity and in a purpose-designed space - something the new studio achieved.

Auckland’s Gourmet Hāngi Made For Winter

The flavours of the earth are here. Hāngi master Rewi Spraggon will be cooking up a feast alongside some of Auckland’s finest restaurants throughout Matariki. You’ll be able experience the contemporary take on the ancient tradition at The Tasting Shed, Augustus, Farina and The Grounds. Join Sir John Kirwan as he unearths the flavours of the historic Māori meal.