The countries represented included America, Canada, Chile, Australia, Mexico and the Pacific Islands.
"It's a real mix of indigenous cultures and people," White said.
"They face the same challenges we face as Māori and there is a strong link in the values that indigenous cultures have, in terms of our relationship with who we are and where we come from."
He said Māori were doing well compared to a lot of indigenous cultures, but if they took their eye off the ball that could easily be lost.
"We can also help that to navigate through the spaces we have already walked.
"Pākehā call it collaboration, we call it whanaungatanga and we can show that it's possible."
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada president and chief executive Keith Henry said Rotorua was beautiful and people were "very blessed" to live here.
Henry is from the Métis people in Canada and said he had come to New Zealand to learn how Māori had positioned themselves in the indigenous tourism industry.
"I am realising it is just ingrained in everything, Māori culture and the Māori language is just everywhere.
"In Canada, when we think of New Zealand we do think of that culture and I want our culture to become part of what people think of when they think of Canada."
He said the pōhiri at Te Papaiouru was something he would never forget.
"That was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and it was amazing to see everyone so proud of who they are and where they come from."
Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita of Tonga was invited to be a speaker at the forum.