NZ tourism award winners announced
13 Oct 2009
New Zealand’s Tourism Industry Awards for 2009 announced this week include a Rotorua nature park, an entrepreneurial young leader and a man credited for making tourism one of the country’s most valuable industries.
The awards are managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), and chief executive Tim Cossar says the awards are more important than ever in light of today’s challenging environment.
2009 winners
DOC (NZ Department of Conservation) Conservation in Action award was won by Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, Rotorua. The Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman award went to Tony Staniford, Paraparaumu, and the
PATA Young Tourism Professional award to Bryan McChlery, of Te Anau.
Mr Cossar said the winners were "an inspiration and a reflection of the depth and quality of New Zealand’s tourism industry.
"In today’s challenging trading environment it is more important than ever that the industry and New Zealand recognise the excellence, innovation and dedication they represent," he said.
DOC award
Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, Rotorua, which won the Conservation in Action award, has been termed ‘nature’s wonderland’ and is a popular tourist destination that promotes conservation and educates visitors about New Zealand’s natural heritage.
The Rotorua attraction has the only kiwi conservation centre in the world that gives visitors a close-up look at the work being done to save New Zealand’s national icon from extinction. This includes hatching over 700 kiwi for release back into the wild.
There are 13 native or endemic animal and bird species on site, and over 90 native plant species.
Throughout the year, the Rainbow Springs team is involved in pest trapping, weed control and tree planting on site as well as external volunteer programmes in the local community. It facilitates courses to teach DOC staff the correct handling of kiwi eggs, and involves schools and local organisations in conservation initiatives such as worm growing (for kiwi food) and tree planting.
Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman award
TIA said award winner Tony Staniford, from Paraparaumu (near Wellington) provided outstanding commitment to the tourism industry for more than 30 years, including leading the Association’s predecessors through two decades when the industry matured into one of New Zealand’s most valuable foreign exchange earners and a major employer.
During his distinguished career, Mr Staniford advanced domestic tourism as a serious component of the industry; championed the need for robust research to underpin the growth and professionalism of the industry; developed training and education programmes; and effectively lobbied governments of the day on behalf of the industry.
PATA Young Tourism Professional award
Bryan McChlery, of Te Anau, is a successful young businessman who has developed and manages three quality tourism businesses in Fiordland, with plans to open a fourth later this year.
Under his management, Te Anau’s Top 10 Holiday Park has expanded significantly and developed new and related tourism activities. These include the Top 10 Milford Sound Coach and Cruise business (rebranded Go Milford) and a partnership in Driftaway Rental Campervans. He also has plans to open a retail sightseeing shop in Te Anau.
Mr McChlery has a goal to bring the status of holiday parks up to the level of top hotels and resorts.
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