A new website is promoting Maori businesses to Rugby World Cup visitors wanting a genuine cultural experience in New Zealand.
Launched at the Seismic Gastrobar on Wednesday night, www.maori2011.com features accommodation, arts and crafts, attractions and activities, dining and cuisine, cultural events and opportunities to "meet the locals".
Poutama Trust's Oscar Nathan
presented the new site, saying it offered a practical way for Maori businesses in the Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane and Tauranga districts to make the most of the opportunities presented by the Rugby World Cup, now and into the future.
"There isn't that long to go now, but it's not just about Rugby World Cup, it's about what we do with it to create opportunities for the years to come - that's our kaupapa."
Visitors to the site can add items to a shopping basket and buy online or book accommodation and activities from the site, which is something Nathan said many smaller businesses did not have the facility to do through their own websites.
"That's ludicrous. Social media needs to be part of our marketing team and our websites need to be part of our sales team. This is not just promotional, it is also functional. People can come here and book and buy things."
It contains a calendar of events and, with every online purchase, a commission from the sale goes back to that business' rohe to fund future development and promotion in the area.
The site contains photographs and video clips to help visitors in their decision making and links into other sites - including the official World Cup accommodation site, where it will soon become the official site for marae stays during the tournament.
It also links into Facebook and Twitter, expanding the reach of the site, and businesses featured on www.maori2011.com will also appear on other sites such as www.inz.maori.nz
More than 100 businesses are already listed and Nathan said more organisations could still get involved.
