Manaaki Adventures

07/10/2020

Although it’s been hard not being able to share our backyard with our manuhiri (guests) we’re still enjoying our beautiful country with our whanau (family). Can’t wait to share it with our friends from all over the globe some time soon ’reWaitingForYa! @ God's Own - Aotearoa - N.Z

18/06/2020

TŌ TĀTOU IWI - Our Tourism Whānau

#5 ZORB ROTORUA

The experience of rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball has been an iconic adventure experience since Andrew and David Akers invented and developed the first ever ZORB site in the world back in 1997.

The laughter and smiles reach another level everytime our students choose to superman dive into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mt Ngongotaha with ZORB. This is a unique and memorable experience that is always a highlight on tour.

The team at ZORB are a super friendly, tight knit bunch who get their kicks from seeing the enthusiastic positive vibes spilling out of the ZORB at the bottom of the hill from. Sales and Marketing Executive Charlotte Brady says “the hardest part about being closed over the lockdown period was being away from everyone”. The “team culture” in places like ZORB is a vital ingredient to the success of the product. “I feel very grateful to be part of such a fun hardworking and caring team, we all look out for one another” says Charlotte.

So now that things are starting to ease up here in New Zealand, it might be worth keeping ZORB in mind for your next trip. Who knows, planning a future trip to New Zealand could be the safest, funnest, awesomest, greatest thing your school ever does.

Follow .ride on facebook .rotorua on insta, or make sure to pay them a visit in person.

If you have any memories or images of ZORB Rotorua please share in the comments below.

Please share to care. @ ZORB Rotorua

12/06/2020

08/06/2020

Arohanui Aotearoa 🤙

21/05/2020

TŌ TĀTOU IWI - Our Tourism Whānau

#4 SOUTH PACIFIC SURF SCHOOL 🤙🌊

Owner Travis McCoy & Instructor George Nathaniel at South Pacific Surf School�
Travis, George and the crew over at South Pacific surf school are some of the most energetic “stoke” filled surf heads you’ll ever meet. Their enthusiasm for what they do is matched only by their professionalism and overall care for the wellbeing of their clients. If you’ve ever considered learning how to surf make sure you check these guys out.

Established in 2018 South Pacific Surf school is a mobile surf school based in Mount Maunganui. Instructor George Nathaniel says that being mobile enables them “get the best waves possible”, matching the students ability level.

These guys are a tight knit team that love what they do. George say’s ‘the hardest part about the current situation is definitely a setback for the surf school, due to the majority of our customers being tourists. But we are taking this time to work on our service and the surf school. I think we are very lucky with the school, because surfing is such a healthy, accessible and universal sport. I have a feeling a lot more kiwis will want to try surfing this summer”.

George recalls his greatest memory at South Pacific Surf School was “teaching the groms at Mount Maunganui Primary school. The feeling I get from pushing a grom into a wave and seeing them have the time of their life is just pure joy”.

Moments of pure joy is what these guys create. Get some for yourself!

Book a lesson now at www.southpacificsurf.co.nz

Or follow on facebook, on insta, or make sure to pay them a visit now that things have loosened up a bit

Please share to show care for our local legends. 🤙 @ Mount Maunganui

12/05/2020

TŌ TĀTOU IWI - Our Tourism Whānau

#3 SKYLINE QUEENSTOWN

From 1966 Skyline Queenstown have been hosting international visitors 450 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak. The Gondola ride takes you to a 220-degree view of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak before racing your mates down the hill aboard the world famous luge.

Sales manager Collete Rogers points out that “the first Luge site was opened in Rotorua so people often believe the Luge was invented there but the Skyline Luge was actually invented in Queenstown”.

Collette and the team at Skyline Queenstown are some of the friendliest and most personable crew we have had the pleasure of working with. “We value both family and fun” , Collete says. “I work with the best bunch of people and they are not just my colleagues; they are my dear friends.

“One of my best memories is from way back in 2011, when the Irish Rugby team came up the Gondola for their Civic Welcome. Being Irish, I was chosen to greet them in Gaelic on arrival. I was working in the photo department at the time so my manager requested I take some photos of the team. I remember clearly that I was so star struck that my hands were shaking and I didn’t manage to get one single useable photo! Some would say FAIL but I was having the time of my life!”

Follow , or make sure to pay them a visit when things loosen up.

If you have any memories or images of Skyline Queenstown, please share in the comments below.

www.skyline.co.nz/en/queenstown/

Please share to care.

05/05/2020

05/05/2020

TŌ TĀTOU IWI - Our Tourism Whānau

#4 ROTORUA CANOPY TOURS

Rotorua Canopy Tours is the perfect blend of education & adventure, making it one of our must do’s for our groups travelling to New Zealand. The crew are some of the most professional and down to earth people you will ever meet.

Since 2012 they have been Ziplining deep into ancient native forests helping students to gain an appreciation of our unique ecosystem and raising awareness of the impacts the introduced predators have on our environment.

General Manager Paul Button says “we are a business full of passionate kiwis”. They are currently “working on projects to make the business better, but it’s hard not knowing what the future looks like”.

They were the deserving recipients of the 100% Pure Experience Top Award in 2019, and was recognised for being within the top 7 tourism businesses in NZ.

Paul & the team are proud of “our conservation monitoring results from September 2019”. The numbers confirmed that we are in fact, restoring the forest to how it was before humans arrived in NZ. The possum count was 3% and the rat count was well under 10%. Those numbers are unheard of, in a forest without pest-proof fencing

Take it from us, these guys are doing some awesome work! We love working with them and appreciate their huge effort in the conservation and tourism space.

Check them out at www.canopytours.co.nz

Follow , or make sure to pay them a visit when things loosen up.

If you have any memories or images of Rotorua Canopy Tours please share in the comments below.

Please share to care.

05/05/2020

TŌ TĀTOU IWI - Our Tourism Whānau

#4 ROTORUA CANOPY TOURS

Rotorua Canopy Tours is the perfect blend of education & adventure, making it one of our must do’s for our groups travelling to New Zealand. The crew are some of the most professional and down to earth people you will ever meet.

Since 2012 they have been Ziplining deep into ancient native forests helping students to gain an appreciation of our unique ecosystem and raising awareness of the impacts the introduced predators have on our environment.

General Manager Paul Button says “we are a business full of passionate kiwis”. They are currently “working on projects to make the business better, but it’s hard not knowing what the future looks like”.

They were the deserving recipients of the 100% Pure Experience Top Award in 2019, and was recognised for being within the top 7 tourism businesses in NZ.

Paul & the team are proud of “our conservation monitoring results from September 2019”. The numbers confirmed that we are in fact, restoring the forest to how it was before humans arrived in NZ. The possum count was 3% and the rat count was well under 10%. Those numbers are unheard of, in a forest without pest-proof fencing

Take it from us, these guys are doing some awesome work! We love working with them and appreciate their huge effort in the conservation and tourism space.

Check them out at www.canopytours.co.nz

Follow , or make sure to pay them a visit when things loosen up.

If you have any memories or images of Rotorua Canopy Tours please share in the comments below.

Please share to care.

30/04/2020

Although a big part of our social world has always been online, the migration of our schools and workplaces online has left many of our youth feeling more disconnected than ever.

We long for the days when we can feel the hurt of losing a game against our biggest rivals on the sports field, running into the waves at our local beach with our friends or trying to work out which constellations we are looking at when stargazing next to a campfire.

The outdoors is where our fondest memories are cultivated. It challenges us to bring our attention back on ourselves. We remember the events that happen outdoors because nature has a way of getting us to pay attention again. It is the perfect vehicle for both relaxation and stimulation of our mind, bodies and spirit.

We are looking forward to the day that we can help our student visitors reconnect with the natural world, themselves and each other.

Nature isn’t going anywhere and neither are we.



📷 Fraser Clements

27/04/2020

OUR PEOPLE - TŌ TĀTOU IWI

Over the years we have had the pleasure of working alongside many of New Zealand’s best tourism operators. As a thank you from us at Manaaki Adventures we want to showcase those small businesses that we feel embody the essence of manaakitanga (to look after, show respect and care for). We consider the operators we work with an extension of us, they are our people, tō tātou iwi (our tribe).

#2 VELOCITY VALLEY - Sales and marketing manager - Debbie Guptill

Established in 1998, Velocity Valley is Rotorua’s quintessential extreme adventure destination park. This is where speed, adrenaline and fear collide.

From the Agrojet (the only commercial jet sprint in the world), to the Freefall Xtreme (the only outdoor flying wind tunnel in the Southern hemisphere) Velocity Valley is a “pretty special” place to say the least.

Debbie Guptil, Velocity Valleys sales and marketing manager says “the hardest part about our current situation is seeing the impact this pandemic has had on tourism across New Zealand. It has and will continue to have a negative impact on many people, friends for that matter, within the sector. Not having the answers is difficult but I take heed in the factor that I am not alone in this thought."

Debbie says that she “loves the whānau environment that comes naturally within our crew. We care and support one another and this reflects outwards towards our manuhiri. I was and still am so proud to be part of the Velocity Valley whānau”.

My greatest memory I have is when our crew helped a paraplegic gentleman achieve his flying dream in Swoop. The look on this face was absolutely priceless when he was flying in the Swoop bag alongside his whānau, but best of all, the emotions on the faces of everyone around watching was heart-warming.

Follow , or pay them a visit when the current restrictions lift.

If you have any memories or images of Velocity Valley Rotorua, please share in the comments below.

www.velocityvalley.co.nz

Please share to care.

23/04/2020

To our Manaaki family overseas.

New Zealand has been in lockdown since 26th March

Today (Thursday 23rd April) the Government announced just 3 new reported cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand

On Tuesday we move out of lockdown

We are proud to be part of a nation that has moved fast and aggressively to eliminate community transmission

21/04/2020

OUR PEOPLE - TŌ TĀTOU IWI

Over the years we have had the pleasure of working alongside many of New Zealand’s best tourism operators. Manaaki Adventures now want to showcase those small businesses that we feel embody the essence of manaakitanga (to look after, show respect and care for). We consider the operators we work with an extension of us, they are our people, tō tātou iwi (our tribe).

#1 RAFTING NEW ZEALAND - Owners Pianika & Luke Boddington

From 1991 Rafting New Zealand have been making memories with visitors from all over the world. Based in the centre of the North Island in the small town of Tūrangi (meaning to stand in the Sky, alluding to the three mountains in the Tongariro National Park) they take their guests on a picturesque and wild ride aboard the pristine waters of the Tongariro River.

Owner operator Pianika Boddington says that “there have been so many great memories over the years. Some of the best are when we take physically disabled or people with medical conditions rafting. The river can have a magical effect on people”.

Admittedly the hardest part about the current situation is “not knowing when we are going to open and if we will need to close again”. Pianika says that they miss “meeting the diverse range of people” that choose to take up the challenge of rafting on the Tongariro.

We want to thank the crew at Rafting New Zealand for showing nothing but aroha (love) each time we visit with our groups. They are the epitome of manaakitanga and we wish them all the best.

You can follow Rafting New Zealand at Rafting New Zealand, or pay them a visit when the current restrictions lift. If you have any memories or images of Rafting NZ, please share in the comments below.

www.raftingnewzealand.com

Please share to care.

16/04/2020

Kia ora to our Manaaki Adventures friends and whanau.

The Manaaki Adventures team are feeling very grateful for the health of our whanau and for the time we are getting to spend with them in lockdown here in New Zealand.

We also feel very fortunate for the position we are in as a business and are excited about what the future holds for Manaaki Adventures.

We feel greatly for those schools, clubs, teachers, parents and students who’s trip to New Zealand has been affected. Our natural environment is breathing, and the beauty of our land is becoming ever more pristine. We can't wait to share our backyard with you all again soon.

Kia kaha whanau.

Stay safe and see you soon.

Hemi, Dan and the rest of the team

14/03/2020

Thanks girls, such a fun day ⛰ 🏄‍♀️ 🏊‍♀️ 🏖

02/03/2020

A few snaps from the HBHS International Students camp. Thanks for coming team 😊

20/01/2020

I know this has been doing the rounds but how gooood! 🎵 🎶

12/12/2019

Love your work Coromandel Sea Kayaks 🙌🏻

24/09/2019

Name a better thrill, I’ll wait.

19/09/2019

Action-packed few days with a whopping 74 students from Buenos Aires. So special to share our country and culture with this group here playing Rugby, Volleyball and Hockey. Once again, big thanks to ZORB Rotorua, Skyline Rotorua, Mitai Maori Village - Rotorua New Zealand, Rototuna Junior and Senior High Schools, Velocity Valley, Sky Tower, Harbour Sport, Auckland Rugby Academy, Harbour Volleyball, Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ, Hobbiton Movie Set, Eden Park, Fullers360 - Experiences & Cruises and most importantly the families from Rototuna High School who took students into their homes and treated them like their own (or maybe nicer 😜).

See ya next time!

19/08/2019

Ruapehu Snow Adventure - August 2019

18/08/2019

Great weekend up the 🏔. Awesome to see how far everyone comes in just two days on skis 🎿. Big shout out to for her amazing guiding skills, apparently she also makes a good cup of coffee too . More photos to come

01/08/2019

Adventure Based Learning (ABL) activities are great for highlighting and discussing teamwork, personal responsibility and fostering problem solving. We include ABL activities at the start of each tour to set the tone and get students working together towards a common goal.

We discuss the various issues that arise during the activity and try to draw parallels to things that may arise on tour.

For example if "teamwork" is needed to complete a certain task then we try to discuss how working as a team can help us in life and/or during the tour.

The key to ABL is focus on what learnings can be drawn from performing the activity not the result.

This is the Manaaki difference. This is what we are all about!

29/07/2019

The international language of sport! Traveling abroad to compete in your chosen sport can be an awesome, life changing experience. Not only will you start lifelong friendships and test your skills against international opponents but you get to fully immerse yourself in the culture of the host country.

New Zealand has a rich and competitive sporting culture in a variety of different codes including:

Rugby
Football
Hockey
Basketball
Netball
Golf
Badminton
and more...

Your team will can:
Stay with a local families
Play local teams
Attend local tournaments
Do team building exercises
Attend strength and conditioning sessions
Get professional nutritional advice
Have access to all training facilities required

If your interested or know someone interest in a sports tour to New Zealand?

Contact us today.

www.manaakiadventures.com

16/07/2019

A student group tour to New Zealand can take on many forms. One of our key focusses is on education. An example of this is learning about how we harness the power of geothermal activity in New Zealand.
There are ample learning opportunities in many different subjects throughout New Zealand. You just need to know where to look 👁. Come see for yourself 🧠✍️👩‍🎓

26/06/2019

Take you class outside today 🌳☀️🌬
It’s amazing what a breath of fresh air and a bit of sunshine will do for your students.

22/06/2019

We are super chuffed to accept the ExportNZ Bay of Plenty ‘Best Emerging Business’ for 2019 on behalf of Manaaki Adventures New Zealand.

Thanks to all those who have helped us to grow and reach our customers at international schools and rugby clubs from all around the world.

A special thanks to PoutamaTrust, NZ Māori Tourism, Tourism Export Council of New Zealand, all of our activity and transport providers, our guides and of course our families 😁

Thank you all for helping us do what we love 👍