About Ngāi Tahu Tourism
All activity of Te Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu is directed at one purpose; to build a stronger economic, social and cultural base for Ngāi Tahu whānui. The profits from all commercial activity are distributed back to the shareholder (the iwi) for further investment opportunities and to support cultural, educational and social initiatives. Ngāi Tahu Holdings role is to grow and develop the economic base and to generate sufficient cash flow to to fund the tribe's development and administration activities. Ngāi Tahu Tourism is a subsidiary of Holdings Group; along with Ngāi Tahu Property, Ngāi Tahu Seafood and Ngāi Tahu Capital.
Ngāi Tahu entered the tourism industry in the 1990s when it purchased a controlling stake in Shotover Group which owned a number of operations in Queenstown, Taupo and Rotorua – namely Shotover Jet itself, Dart River Jet Safaris, Hukafalls Jet, Hollyford Guided Walk and Rainbow Springs. By 2004 the iwi had taken full ownership and since then has continued to expand its tourism operations, acquiring other nature-based attractions such as the Franz Josef Glacier Guides and Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism also operates Kaiteriteri Kayaks and Abel Tasman Kayaks in a joint venture with Nelson-based Wakatu Incorporation.
Glacier Hot Pools is our most recent venture opening as recently as November 2008.