NZTRI PhD Student profiled in Surf Magazine

Nick Towner was interviewed this month for Kiwi Surf Magazine. Extracts below:

 
"I am currently in my second year of a doctoral study at Auckland University of

Technology with The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute. The title of my thesis is: “Surf Tourism in the Mentawais. A multiple stakeholder analysis.” My study investigates the current situation of the surf tourism industry in the Mentawais by assessing the perceptions of surf tourism operators, local communities, government officials, industry experts, surf tourists and non-government organisations."

 What do people say when you tell them your study area, many must think it is just

a plum gig. But this is something you are really passionate about!

"People often laugh when they first hear my study topic and hack on me for being

a study bludger, but after five minutes of conversation they quickly find themselves

totally engrossed and interested in my thesis topic. These days universities are crying out for new and exciting subject matter, so if you can find an interested supervisor, you’re in with a chance. In the academic world there are no plum gigs or even peach or nectarine gigs – no handouts. You have to earn it! What you are seeing now is the result of eight years of university. Passion is the essential component. Passion for surfing, passion for travel, and passion for knowledge."

For the full interview see attachment below and http://www.kiwisurfmag.co.nz/