At Kohutapu Lodge, we humbly embrace the whakatauki, “Kāore te kumara e kōrero mō tōna ake reka,” which reminds us that the kumara doesn’t boast about it's own sweetness.
In the same way, we don’t focus on seeking recognition or accolades, but rather focus on what truly matters: creating a meaningful experience for our manuhiri (guests) and using tourism as a force for good.
Our mission has always been grounded in the belief that tourism should serve not only our visitors but also our community, our environment, and our culture. We’re honoured to be recognised for doing just that.
Over the past few years, we have received numerous prestigious awards, including the 2019 and 2022 New Zealand Tourism Awards for Community Engagement, Regenerative Tourism, and the Supreme New Zealand Tourism Award, along with the 2023 Industry Collaboration & Alignment award and the 2024 Māori Tourism award.
These recognitions are not our goal, but they are a reflection of our ongoing commitment to our values, our people, and our land.
At Kohutapu Lodge, we believe in harnessing the power of tourism to make a positive impact. Whether it’s supporting our community, protecting our environment, or collaborating with other Indigenous cultures, these principles are woven into the very fabric of who we are.
While we don’t focus on seeking accolades, these awards reflect our dedication to creating meaningful change, but our true reward lies in the impact we make on the lives of the young people and communities we serve.
We are proud to share with you these accolades, but also much prefer our work speaks for itself. It is with great humility that we continue to serve our manuhiri (guests) and our people, and strive to make a meaningful difference in the world.