March 13, 2014
Special plane creates indigenous link
Growing links between Maori and Taiwan’s indigenous people were strengthened with the arrival of a special China Airlines plane yesterday.
The Airbus A339-300, which has been commissioned for the Taiwan-owned Taipei-Brisbane-Auckland service, has been painted with traditional wedding scenes by artist Sakuliu Pavavalung, who has been an important figure in reconstructing indigenous Taiwanese customs.
Glen Katu from the Maori Tourism Association says even though the ancestors of Maori left Taiwan more than 2000 years ago, there are still common elements in the language and cultural practices between Maori and Taiwan’s indigenous tribes.
He says Maori Tourism is working with other agencies like Te Puni Kokiri, business development service Poutama Trust and the Federation of Maori Authorities on strengthening the Taiwan connection.
"We’re looking at a strategy that involves not only tourism but involves business partnerships between indigenous companies in Taiwan and Maori companies in New Zealand so companies are already engaging in initial discussions around supplying Maori-produced goods into Taiwan and of course Taiwan is one of the gateways into China," Mr Katu says.
Already there are 22,000 visitors a year from Taiwan to New Zealand, and China Airways hopes to increase that number, which should boost Maori tourism businesses.
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