KEY POINTS:
It's taken four years but Rotorua brothers Mike and Doug Tamaki are about to open their new Christchurch venture.
They hope the multi-million-dollar Tamaki Heritage Village, which will employ 100 staff, will attract up to 80,000 visitors in its first year.
The venture features a Maori village and a colonial village spread over 10ha and will be officially opened on Saturday night. Sir Howard Morrison and several MPs are among those on the guest list.
Master of ceremonies will be NZ Idol judge Frankie Stevens.
Doug Tamaki said Rotorua's Tamaki Tours and the Christchurch complex were very different. "Rotorua is pre- European and Christchurch is after their arrival."
A visit to Christchurch's Tamaki Heritage Village will include a 90-minute re-enactment of different stories with the first about the introduction of the musket.
Other features of the village include tram and steam train rides.
Doug Tamaki said the Christchurch attraction had taken four years to complete because it was held up with issues surrounding resource consent. They also had to consult various groups including Ngai Tahu, businesses and other local iwi.
There was still work to be done on the complex but it was hoped that would be completed within six months.
Mike Tamaki has moved to Christchurch to concentrate on that side of the business while his brother remains in Rotorua.
Last year, the brothers sold a Glenorchy-based tourism business to concentrate on opening their Christchurch operation.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
