Wai Ariki in Rotorua.<\/p>\n
Built on the ancestral lands of Ng\u0101ti Whakaue<\/a>, our facility is entirely owned and immersed in Te ao M\u0101ori, using traditional healing practices that have been passed down through multiple generations. It\u2019s a unique experience that\u2019s personal to us, and one that we love to share with manuhiri (visitors).<\/p>\n Nearly 80% of our employees are M\u0101ori, and I think there\u2019s something to be said about the way that connection to culture through our workforce has contributed to business success.<\/p>\n Research shows that when M\u0101ori feel satisfied with the way their cultural beliefs are valued in the workplace<\/a>, they\u2019re more likely not only to express commitment and job satisfaction, but also to perform to a higher standard.<\/p>\n This concept shouldn\u2019t be groundbreaking. When anyone \u2013 M\u0101ori or not \u2013 feels passionate, respected and connected to their job, they\u2019re more likely to keep turning up and doing their best.<\/p>\n At Wai Ariki, I see this in our kaimahi. Whether our employees are Ng\u0101ti Whakaue or from further afield, you can see the pride they exude when guiding manuhiri around a facility that is built on \u2013 and directly benefits \u2013 their heritage.<\/p>\n Not only does it improve our employees\u2019 experience at work, being able to live and breathe their culture, but it also means there is a true connection and passion underlying the experience they present to our manuhiri.<\/p>\n Authenticity in the tourism sector<\/p>\n In the tourism sector especially, we\u2019re starting to see the power of this approach. There has been a shift in demand towards meaningful and regenerative tourism, meaning that visitors are increasingly seeking authentic, enriching experiences that connect them to a place and its culture.<\/p>\n We are finding that when our employees are connected to their mahi, they\u2019re bringing an authenticity that means guests aren\u2019t just enjoying a spa day, they\u2019re engaging with Ng\u0101ti Whakaue culture, traditions, and healing practices.<\/p>\n So, from a business perspective, the iwi-led employment strategy benefits us two-fold. It is keeping alive the kaupapa M\u0101ori values embedded into our foundation <\/a>so that they\u2019re not just words on the wall but the heartbeat of the organisation, while simultaneously fostering strong, retained employee engagement.<\/p>\n It\u2019s for that reason I encourage other businesses to prioritise cultural connection across their business. Although we do this by hiring from iwi, cultural connection doesn\u2019t have to just mean genealogy. It can also be founded on common goals, or shared values and interests.<\/p>\n In saying that, I really believe iwi employment isn\u2019t just about improving business. It\u2019s about ensuring that M\u0101ori culture, wisdom, and economic participation continue to shape New Zealand\u2019s future.<\/p>\n Because the feeling of walking into a workplace that lives and breathes our culture \u2013 that\u2019s something you can\u2019t describe on paper.<\/p>\nNearly 80% of staff at Wai Ariki are M\u0101ori, strengthening cultural connection at work.<\/p>\n
M\u0101ori businesses contribute around $32b to New Zealand\u2019s GDP. Photo \/ Destination Rotorua<\/p>\n