Up to 300 jobs to go as Ngāi Tahu Tourism closes doors

23rd April 2020 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker

NTT operates Shotover Jet near Queenstown. Image: NTT

Ngāi Tahu Tourism is shutting its doors for the foreseeable future, potentially losing up to 300 jobs due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The iwi-owned business runs 12 operations across the country including some of the industry’s most iconic brands, such as Shotover Jet near Queenstown and Rotorua’s Agrodome and Rainbow Springs. It opened its latest attraction, the Dark Sky Project joint venture in Tekapo, last July.

Mike Pohio, chief executive of Ngāi Tahu Holdings, which controls NTT, Lisa Tumahai, Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, said in a joint statement that the tourism operation, which employed around 500 staff, had been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.

“The impacts of Covid-19 and the related moves made to protect New Zealanders’ health have taken a significant toll on the tourism industry, from which Ngāi Tahu Tourism has not been immune. Our tourism businesses, alongside the rest of the industry, no longer have any revenue, and even when the industry does eventually re-establish, it is expected to take a long time to recover.

“Therefore, after robust analysis and discussions and with heavy hearts, we share with you our intention to close our tourism businesses for the time being. This difficult decision has also resulted in a proposal to significantly downsize our Ngāi Tahu Tourism workforce, with more than 300 kaimahi at all levels potentially losing their jobs as a result.”

A final decision on the impact of the levels of the cutback would be made in May.

Among NTT’s businesses are Franz Josef Glacier Guides and hotpools operations, Guided Walks New Zealand, Dart River Adventures and Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters.

It was also expected to open its All Blacks Experience operation at Auckland in August this year.

“We value our kaimahi greatly as they are at the centre of all Ngāi Tahu Tourism is and does, so to be proposing to head down this path is devastating for us – and certainly something we did not envisage a few months ago,” said today’s joint statement.

“We are doing all we can to support those affected during this difficult period, and we are particularly proud of the whanaungatanga and manaakitanga on display across our organisation in such difficult circumstances.

“At this time of challenge for our Ngāi Tahu Tourism kaimahi and our tourism operations, we are reminded of our gratitude for those who led our iwi through Te Kerēme and Settlement. Those who came before us have ensured that Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has a diversified portfolio of business interests, including tourism, seafood, property, forestry, farming and capital investments.

“This careful and deliberate structure means that when these challenging times come, we can continue our important work of protecting and sustaining the pūtea for future generations.”

Ngāi Tahu added that it would not make any further comment while it was undergoing consultation with staff.