As Tāmaki Makaurau celebrates Matariki, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) has welcomed eight new Māori-owned businesses and Places of Cultural Connection to its ‘Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’ platform, expanding opportunities for visitors to experience the region through a Māori lens.
Announced today (15 July) at Te Whatu Stardome, the new Treasures reflect the growing strength of Auckland's Māori visitor economy, recognising Māori-owned businesses and places that are helping visitors connect with the stories, culture and identity of Tāmaki Makaurau.
The new additions are:
- Tūrongo Collective - Native Guardianship (Parnell and various locations): Māori cultural experiences, performances and educational workshops.
- Fantail & Turtle - Bar and Eatery (Takapuna): A whānau-owned bar and eatery celebrating Māori hospitality and locally sourced kai.
- Aroha Love (Grey Lynn): Holistic wellness experiences grounded in Māori values and healing practices.
- MANAAKI (Matakana): A Māori fashion and lifestyle brand grounded in te ao Māori.
- Konei (Manukau): Māori-owned retail store showcasing products by Māori artists, designers and businesses from across Aotearoa.
New Places of Cultural Connection:
- Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum (Parnell)
- Te Whatu Stardome (Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill)
- Te Paparahi Toi Māori (Self-guided walks exploring Māori public art, history and design across central Auckland)
Together, they strengthen ‘Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’ as a growing travel planning resource showcasing authentic Māori-owned businesses, iwi enterprises and places of cultural importance across Auckland.
Director of Māori Outcomes at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Helen Te Hira, says Matariki is a fitting time to celebrate the platform's continued growth.
"Around the world, people are looking for more meaningful connections with the places they visit. Māori tourism adds a rich dimension to Auckland's visitor experience and helps distinguish Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage. Through 'Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland', Māori are leading how visitors experience our region.
"It reflects a growing confidence among Māori businesses and iwi enterprises to share our stories on our own terms. That's important because Māori culture isn't an add-on to the Auckland experience - experience – it's part of the foundation of this place,” says Te Hira.
First established in 2024, ‘Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’ celebrates Māori-owned businesses and iwi enterprises across the visitor economy, showcasing experiences that span the full visitor journey – from food, retail and wellness to guided tours, arts, culture and places of importance.
Chief Executive of Te Whatu Stardome, Kelly Bewley (Ngāti Kahungunu), says hosting the announcement during Matariki highlights the important role the night sky plays in connecting people to place and culture.
"Matariki is a time when people across Aotearoa look to the stars to reflect, reconnect and look ahead. We're proud to be recognised as a Place of Cultural Connection within ‘Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’ and to share the stories of the night sky through both mātauranga Māori and astronomy.
"Te Whatu Stardome offers visitors a uniquely Auckland experience where science and indigenous knowledge sit alongside one another, helping people deepen their understanding of our place in the universe and our connection to this whenua."
Kat Tua (Ngāti Kahu Ki Whangaroa, Ngāti Raukawa) founder of MANAAKI, says being recognised as a Treasure reflects the growing diversity of Māori visitor experiences across the region.
"It's an honour to be recognised as a Treasure of Tāmaki Makaurau. I opened our first store in Matakana because I wanted it to be a destination in its own right, where people could experience Manaaki and connect with the brand. Being part of Treasures will help more visitors discover us and show that Māori creativity is thriving in contemporary spaces across Tāmaki Makaurau."
‘Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’ continues to welcome Māori-owned businesses and iwi enterprises with visitor offerings to join the platform, building a comprehensive showcase of Māori tourism experiences across the region.
Visitors can explore the growing collection of experiences and plan their journey at www.aucklandnz.com/treasures.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
- Explore Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on www.aucklandnz.com/treasures
- Submit a treasure for consideration here