Ngāi Tahu Tourism increases investment in its people

17 September

Ngāi Tahu Tourism, one of the largest tourism operators in Aotearoa, has announced its commitment to the living wage of $20.55 and increased its minimum wage effective from July this year.

The tourism operator owned by the Ngāi Tahu tribe operates some of the most iconic experiences in Aotearoa, including Shotover Jet in Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier Guides and Rainbow Springs in Rotorua. It hosts more than one million manuhiri (visitors) a year across its 13 businesses, with a 14th, the All Blacks Experience, due to open in 2020.

Lisa Tumahai, Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, says Ngāi Tahu whānau set a high expectation for us to ensure we look after our workers and operate according to Ngāi Tahu values.

“Te Rūnanga set a goal to our companies to increase the wages they are offering their staff, so it is great to see Ngāi Tahu Tourism pick up the challenge,” says Lisa.

“I hope other tourism companies follow the lead of Ngāi Tahu Tourism,” says Lisa.

Quinton Hall, Chief Executive at Ngāi Tahu Tourism, says the change has positively impacted over 200 staff since 1 July.

“We want all of our people to be paid fairly and at a level which is not only sustainable for our business but also recognises the value that every individual brings to our mahi (work),” Quinton says.

“This wage movement is a large investment for our business, but it will make a big difference to our people and their whānau, which is important to us.”

“People are at the forefront of our business and our experiences, and we want to ensure we are retaining and attracting great people into the tourism industry, so we can offer world-class experiences to the more than one million customers we host every year.”

Over the past three years Ngāi Tahu Tourism has been focused on investing in te whānau tāpoi (team members) through training programmes, wellbeing initiatives and creating job opportunities.

ENDS

© Scoop Media