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Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours founder Nadine Toe Toe has been named a finalist in the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award at the 2026 New Zealand Leadership Awards.
Selected from more than 600 nominations, the recognition acknowledges Nadine’s work using tourism to strengthen Māori culture, create employment and support youth leadership in Murupara and beyond.
Nadine says the recognition belongs to the wider community and the organisations that have contributed to the kaupapa.
“When I looked through the list of finalists, I was genuinely blown away. The calibre of leaders and organisations being recognised is extraordinary. Then there’s little Kohutapu Lodge from Murupara. To even be in the same room is an honour.”
Over the past decade, Kohutapu Lodge has expanded beyond tourism experiences to develop initiatives including Native Nations, an Indigenous youth leadership exchange, Te Aka Trails, a collective of Māori tourism businesses, and The Visitor Promise, an online programme introducing visitors to tikanga Māori before they travel.
Nadine says tourism has become a vehicle for creating broader social outcomes.
“Tourism has always been our waka – but the destination has always been stronger communities, empowered rangatahi and a better future for the generations who follow.”
