#talkback $6 million for a French star but what about the booming Māori tourism sector?

Matthew Tukaki #talkback $6 million for a French star but what about the booming Māori tourism sector?

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“The New Zealand Government has announced its spent $6 Million dollars in something called the Michelin star guide – I must admit it came as a bit of surprise to me because I hadn’t thought you paid these French fullas to come over here and rate our Kai – nonetheless, according to Michelin “Set to be unveiled in the middle of 2026, the restaurant selection is already under way, as MICHELIN Guide Inspectors are currently on the ground, dining anonymously to identify the very best restaurants that showcase the unique character of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown culinary scenes.”.

Actually its $6.3 million – Tourism New Zealand is spending $6.3 million to bring the Michelin Guide –

the world’s most famous restaurant ranking system – to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. The so called inspectors are already here – in fact they’ve been here for more than a year. Data from the Restaurant Association of New Zealand shows that of the country’s approximately 20,000 hospitality outlets, some 12,783 are based in the regions that will be covered by the new guide – 7785 in Auckland, 2556 in Canterbury, 2058 in Wellington and 384 in Queenstown-Lakes – but heres the issue – the vast majority of those unique experiences and places aren’t in the location the inspectors have been focussed on. Māori culture has always been central to the identity of Aotearoa, shaping not only our national story but increasingly our economy. What was once seen as a cultural asset is now recognised as a major economic force; driving innovation, tourism, exports, and sustainable development. The Māori economy is now estimated to be worth more than $130 billion, and its influence reaches far beyond balance sheets and boardrooms. Many Maori enterprises struggle for support from the Government at home but boy do they love to roll us natives out when theyre trying to

sell NZ overseas – begs the question, if Maori culture is a drawcard for boosting Tourisms why pour money into a French organisation? I mean one of the last times the French got involved in New Zealand they sank the Rainbow Warrior.”

Matthew Tukaki had a korero with Shanan Halbert MP.

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