Even before the doors have opened, WhangƒÅrei’s much-anticipated Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau MƒÅori Art Gallery has been awarded a significant tourism accolade.
A Silver Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award was announced this week.
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, providing a trusted guide to quality travel experiences within New Zealand. The Qualmark Award provides evidence that a business has been independently validated as a quality tourism operation and offers instant recognition for customers that they can expect a quality experience.
The HAC opens on February 20.
The business team behind the HAC was assessed based on their strategic planning; marketing strategy; asset management; policies and procedures; customer, community, and staff engagement; cultural interpretation; health and safety; team culture, visitor experience and leadership.
"The Qualmark Award means we have been recognised for delivering a superior customer experience – demonstrating a strong commitment to customer safety and a responsible social and environmental performance. This will help us build visibility and interest here and abroad by joining an elite group of businesses which are recommended to both domestic and offshore customers, as well as international trade organizations – great for the Hundertwasser Art Centre, great for the region and great for New Zealand," says HAC chief executive Kathleen Drumm.
On advising of the award, Qualmark general manager Steven Dixon says the Qualmark Award is the final seal of approval which signifies the Hundertwasser Art Centre is one of the most high-quality experiences New Zealand has to offer.
"The award can be proudly displayed as evidence that the Hundertwasser Art Centre is committed to protecting our beautiful natural environment and enhancing connections with our local communities, while delivering a quality, safe experience for visitors," he says.
From February 20, visitors will be able to access all areas of the $33m building, which is itself considered a work of art, including the afforested roof which features an eight-metre gold cupola overlooking the Whangarei marina.
Key to the visitor experience are the two art galleries. The Hundertwasser gallery features an extensive collection of artworks by the late artist, curated by the Hundertwasser Foundation in Vienna, while the Wairau Mâori Art Gallery, New Zealand’s first dedicated space for world class contemporary Maori art, will premier its inaugural exhibition.
"Wairau Māori Art Gallery has been created to profile the best of Māori art and provide New Zealand with its first public Māori art gallery solely dedicated to profiling Māori artists and curators," Chair of the Wairau Māori Art Gallery Charitable Trust Elizabeth Ellis says.
Visitors will also be able to visit the art activity centre, gift shop and restaurant, as well as enjoy the other spaces within the building.
