Maori village takes out tourism award

Tamaki Maori Village director Doug Tamaki said it was great to see the business recognised in the Golden Backpack Awards recently. Photo / Stephen Parker

Ownership from staff and a commitment to providing a genuine experience are behind Tamaki Maori Village winning its latest award, according to director Doug Tamaki.

Tamaki Maori Village won the TNT Golden Backpack Award for Cultural Experience at the award function in Australia last week.

Mr Tamaki attended the ceremony and said the award showed people were leaving the experience happy.

"As a company and a cultural product we are doing the right thing. It is good to be acknowledged."

He said the village was up against cultural experiences across Australasia so the award was a big accolade. Mr Tamaki said the business was coming up to 27 years in operation and if it wasn't doing things right it wouldn't still be around today.

"We are always looking at ways to improve and freshen up but [are] very conscious of not bastardising it. People who come here want to experience a professional while grass roots experience of the culture."

Mr Tamaki said staff took ownership of what they were doing and it was more than just a job for them.

"Staff feel like this is their marae outside of their normal marae."

The awards recognised 37 countries across New Zealand and Australia. Great Lake Taupo took out the award for best New Zealand destination.