Ngai Tahu Tourism wins Maori Business Award

Ngai Tahu Tourism, who own Rotorua attraction Rainbow Springs has won the Maori Excellence in Export award.

The owners of Rotorua's Rainbow Springs and Agrodome, and Taupo's Huka Falls Jet, Ngai Tahu Tourism, has won the Maori Excellence in Export award at the 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards.

The Maori Development Minister and the Associate Minister for Economic Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, presented Ngai Tahu Tourism with the award in Auckland last night.

Mr Flavell said it was great to celebrate Maori businesses making a significant contribution to the Maori and national economy.

"Ngai Tahu Tourism owns and operates some of the most iconic experiences in New Zealand and has proven that having Maori values embedded in business is a successful strategy," he said.

Ngai Tahu Tourism is one of New Zealand's largest tourism operators, connecting over one million visitors a year to Aotearoa, to the Ngai Tahu team, and to the Ngai Tahu Iwi.

The whanau-owned company has more than 400 staff working across its nine businesses, delivering more than 20 of New Zealand's most iconic experiences.

From Rainbow Springs in the North Island to Queenstown's Shotover Jet, Ngai Tahu Tourism's attractions include experiences such as jet boating, astro-tourism, guided walks, helicopter tours and soaks in glacier hot pools.

The other finalists for the Maori Excellence in Export were Kiwa Digital and Straker Translations.

The He kai kei aku ringa award is supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Te Puni Kōkiri and The Treasury.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand International Business Awards, which celebrate the success of New Zealand businesses on the world stage. The awards are run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) with strategic partner ANZ.

WINNERS in the 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards

SUPREME AWARD WINNER
· WhereScape Software (Auckland)

GENERAL CATEGORY FINALISTS
Best Emerging Business
Haka Tourism Group (Auckland)
Timely (Dunedin)
Best Medium Business
· WhereScape Software (Auckland)

Best Large Business
· Gallagher (Waikato)

SPECIAL CATEGORY FINALISTS
Excellence in Innovation, supported by Callahan Innovation
· Straker Translations (Auckland)

Excellence in Marketing, supported by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT)
· New Zealand Mint (Auckland)

Excellence in Operations and Supply Chain, supported by Kotahi
· GMP Pharmaceuticals Group (Auckland)

Excellence in Design, supported by Special Group
· Gallagher (Waikato)

He kai kei aku ringa for Māori Excellence in Export, supported by The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Te Puni Kōkiri, The Treasury
· Ngāi Tahu Tourism (Christchurch)

Excellence in Leadership, supported by KPMG
· Xero