At Franz Josef Glacier Guides, we believe in the importance of protecting and preserving the natural beauty of Aotearoa, New Zealand. This commitment is deeply rooted in the values of Ngāi Tahu, which align perfectly with the principles of Tourism New Zealand's Tiaki Promise. Post-COVID, we fully integrated the Tiaki Promise into our business as a way to enrich the experiences we offer and to ensure that our manuhiri (visitors) understand the significance of their actions while exploring this precious land.
Bringing Tiaki to Life
The Tiaki Promise isn't just a concept for us—we have integrated it into all of our on-ice experiences through our Tiaki Trail. Established in 2022, the Tiaki Trail was born out of a simple yet powerful idea. All guests that we take up on the ice walk to and from the heliport through a stunning stretch of native forest. This 15-minute walk was the perfect opportunity to share the message of Tiaki, especially after visitors returned from the awe-inspiring glacier. The trail is lined with panels that serve as gentle reminders of the importance of the Tiaki Promise, encouraging both our guides and manuhiri to reflect on their role as guardians of the environment.
Over 20,000 people have walked the Tiaki Trail so far—a staggering number that speaks to the impact of this initiative. We frequently receive feedback from manuhiri who recognise the Tiaki logo but may not have fully understood its significance before their visit. Walking the trail often brings about a moment of realisation—their behaviour as visitors can have a profound impact on the land and its people.
The broader impact of Tiaki
For us, Tiaki is more than just a message—it's a guiding principle that encourages our manuhiri to show aroha (love) to our whenua (land) and its people. These messages resonate far beyond the borders of Aotearoa, often following our visitors back to their homes, wherever they may be. Tiaki also reinforces our own values, providing both our manuhiri and kaimahi with the opportunity to reflect on what’s truly important to us as a business and as individuals.
One of the most rewarding aspects of integrating Tiaki into our business has been seeing the impact it has on our kaimahi. Initially, Tiaki helped them understand the deeper connections between its message and our own values. This understanding is now something they share with our manuhiri, making a meaningful difference in how visitors engage with the environment.
Why Tiaki matters
Tiaki is vital to us because we all have a role to play in ensuring that we are guardians for future generations. This responsibility is something we share with every other tourism operator in Aotearoa, making Tiaki a unifying force in our industry.
"Mō tātou, ā, mo kā uri a muri ake nei"—For us and our children after us.
To any business considering joining the many organisations in New Zealand that support and promote the Tiaki Promise, we say: jump on the waka. Together, we can encourage all our manuhiri to act as guardians of Aotearoa. Starting small, with something as simple as a poster, can lead to initiatives that leave a lasting imprint on people’s minds. The Tiaki Promise is something that every tourism business in Aotearoa has in common. It’s a kaupapa we can work on together, not just to grow and develop as individual businesses, but to unite us as an industry committed to protecting our environment for generations to come.