Making New Zealand - Tourism

This episode of documentary series Making New Zealand dives into an economic powerhouse — tourism. The eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886 not only destroyed the unique Pink and White Terraces; it wiped out a fledgling tourism industry. But soon other wonders like the Waitomo Caves and the Southern Alps were attracting international visitors. World wars dented the industry's growth, but after the war tourism pioneers like the Wigley family, Hylton Hensman and Trevor and Heather Gamble from company Shotover Jet explored the exciting possibilities of adventure tourism. 

Māori became something to look at, rather than someone to run a business. The fees they could charge were controlled, and there's a sense that whatever an indigenous people did in their daily life was 'exotic'; that was something to stare at.

– Author Margaret McClure on the addition of a 'model pā' at Whakarewarewa in the early twentieth century

Key Cast & Crew

Thomas Robins

Producer

Edward Larsen

Editor

Stephen Barnett

Original Concept

Sjaak Te Brake

Cinematographer

Stephen Gallagher

Composer

Marcus Palmer

Director, Additional Camera Operator