Applications for the 2019 MƒÅori tourism Dragon’s Den are now open, with four categories to choose from, each with a prize of $10,000.
To have the chance to showcase your idea to ‘the Dragons’, applicants need to submit their idea and a little bit about themselves by July 5.
Those shortlisted will be invited to present their idea in a three-minute pitch to ‘the Dragons’ and audience in Christchurch on August 13. The winners will be announced that evening during a networking dinner.
The four categories include ‘bring your idea to life’, ‘small Maori tourism business with a big idea’, ‘make 2021 a gamechanger for Maori tourism businesses’ and ‘journeys through Aotearoa through Maori tourism’. Each category has a $10,000 prize for the winner.
‘Bring your idea to life’ is for a MƒÅori tourism idea that is just that – an idea. It may have even progressed by having conversations with people who can assist, have the location of your experience in mind, but you need help getting to that next stage.
‘Small Maori tourism business with a big idea’ is for established MƒÅori tourism businesses that have an idea that will help them to grow. It may be a project, a marketing initiative, or a new experience.
‘Make 2021 a gamechanger for Maori tourism business’ is for those hoping to utilise the plethora of events coming to New Zealand in 2021 – Auckland hosting Te Matatini, America's Cup, APEC, Women's Rugby World Cup, Women's Cricket World Cup, and the men's Softball World Cup. ‘The Dragons’ want to hear ideas for how MƒÅori tourism businesses all around Aotearoa can leverage the opportunities over the year that these events will bring.
We all know about golf tourism, cycling tourism, and film tourism attracting manuhiri to Aotearoa. How and what can be done to put Maunga tourism, Awa Tourism, or Kai tourism on the map in the same way? What innovative ideas could link Māori tourism stories and/or sites of significance together to enable a visitor journey through Aotearoa under a linking kaupapa? That's what the 'Journeys of Aotearoa through Māori tourism' category wants to know.
Entrants can enter more than one category but can only submit one idea per category.
Only the information provided will be considered in the shortlisting process. All applications will remain confidential and only viewed by NZ MƒÅori Tourism staff and contractors, and ‘Dragons’.
Māori tourism Dragon's Den is open to people of Māori descent with an idea for a Māori tourism business.
For more information and to apply, visit: www.maoritourism.co.nz or email [email protected]
