Rotorua tourism entrepreneur Doug Tamaki on life support

Tamaki Maori Village director Doug Tamaki is on life support according to his brother. Photo / Stephen Parker.

Well-known Rotorua tourism entrepreneur Doug Tamaki is on life support, according to his brother Brian Tamaki.

Doug, who has won several tourism awards, owns Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua alongside his other brother, Mike.

In a statement tonight, Mike confirmed his brother was in a critical but stable condition in Tauranga Hospital after suffering a "significant and unexpected medical event" at his home at Mount Maunganui on Thursday morning.

"The family would also like to acknowledge all of the messages of aroha and support that have been expressed."

The statement said at this stage they wished to focus on Doug - "a husband, brother, father, and grandfather".

Bishop Brian Tamaki, the leader of Destiny Church, said in a tweet that he was praying for a "miracle".

"I am heartbroken but prayin[g] w[i]th family [a]nd friends for a miracle to happen for my little brother Douglas on life support. My God is so Good," he wrote.

I am heartbroken but prayin wth family nd friends for a miracle to happen for my little brother Douglas on life support..My God is so Good❤️

— Bishop Brian Tamaki (@BishopTamaki) February 23, 2017

When the Herald attempted to contact Brian this afternoon the paper was told he did not wish to talk.

Rotorua Lakes councillor Tania Tapsell said she had heard Doug was unwell and taken to Tauranga Hospital yesterday morning.

She wasn't able to comment on his condition.

A Bay of Plenty DHB spokeswoman said she was unable to confirm whether Doug was a patient at Tauranga Hospital for privacy reasons.

Rotorua Lakes Council cultural adviser Trevor Maxwell said he wasn't aware Doug was on life support but had heard the tourism director was unwell recently.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said there was a huge amount of support in the community for Mr Tamaki.

He said he had seen the reports which were "very concerning".

"He is a great family guy and there is a huge amount of support in the community for him."

Mr McClay said he knew the Tamakis through family connections.
"We wish him a speedy recovery."

Mr McClay said Mr Tamaki was a "very big part" of the Rotorua community - not only in the tourism sector.

"We wish him well and pray for a speedy recovery."

Last NovemberTamaki Maori Village, which has been open for 27 years, won the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Golden Backpack Awards.

Along with brother Mike, the pair were also nominated for their service to the tourism industry and representing and educating visitors on NZ indigenous culture.

The business also won the "Best Cultural Experience Award" for the seventh year in a row.

"We have a great team who constantly look for new, revolutionary ways to share our culture, our history and our stories. It's great to be recognised by our customers with this award," Doug told the Rotorua Daily Post at the time.

The Tamaki Maori Village also was a Gold Award Winner 2016 for "Activity of the Year", "Accommodation of the Year" and "Driver's Choice" at the Kiwi Experience Awards.