2008

NZTRI's Tourism and Community Program is presently assessing visitor attitudes about aquaculture, seafood and tourism in the Marlborough, Nelson, Golden Bay
region as part of a year long survey.  The research has been conducted
in partnership with the i-Sites in the region and is partially funded by
Destination Marlborough, Nelson Tasman Tourism and the Marine Farming
Association. The International Institute for Tourism and Development at
Clemson University, Clemson, USA is a partner in this research.

This research responds to a research topic as requested by the Ministry of Fisheries. The aim of this research is to better understand the economic impacts of marine tourism activities on communities. This will be done by evaluating methodologies to measure economic impacts of marine tourism and applying best practice to assess two fishing communities that have been impacted by marine tourism. The research focuses on two cases: the Tutukaka Coast in the Northland region, and Stewart Island, in Southland.
 

This research involves:
 

In early 2007, NZTRI conducted a web-based survey for Museums Aotearoa (MA) to gauge interest in the development of a Web-based ‘barometer’ to provide MA and others with timely information about the New Zealand museum sector. The findings indicated a positive interest in the ongoing survey, and MA subsequently approached NZTRI to develop the survey into an annual barometer for the museum sector.

Since 2005, the Youth Hostelling Association of New Zealand has worked with NZTRI to conduct an annual programme of research. A Guest Survey has been conducted over the past four years and a wealth of data collected.

In 2008, the research programme included the annual Guest Survey as well as a series of three Focus Groups with YHA guests looking in to the ageing trends of the backpacker market.

In 2007, 1447 guests completed the annual Guest Survey. In addition to the basic questions, the survey explored dimensions of what makes a hostel a fun place to stay.

Manukau City Council’s Community and Economic Development Unit is looking for a tool to enable Marae, complementary small businesses and community members in Manukau to create and strengthen Marae community networks and act as a support system for Marae-based initiatives.

The initial phase raised awareness of how ICT and the Internet can become a tool to enable community processes at the Marae and with the broader Marae community. The second phase includes running workshops for Marae community members to build digital content and acquire valuable ICT skills to develop and administrate this community-built Website.