Judges want to reward not only unique, top-quality experiences only found in Aotearoa, but also the business that have looked after the country and its people during the border disruption and national Covid lockdowns.
"This is a great opportunity to celebrate some great NZ operators who have demonstrated
true Kiwi Aroha and given back for the good of New Zealand," says Sue Purcell, chair of the judging panel.
Tour operators such as the GCH Aviation earned a place among the Canterbury finalists, singled out for their work with the NZ Flying Doctors' Service. During the lockdown the charter flight company in Christchurch flew missions throughout Canterbury, the West Coast and Marlborough regions. Caroline Blanchfield of GCH said it was an honour to be named among the shortlisted businesses.
Also singled out were Carino Wildlife Cruises who used the downturn in visitors to bring children from the local Paihia schools and the community to see their whales.
To be eligible for nomination, businesses had to achieve Qualmark Gold Award standard - New Zealand's highest accolade for tourism operations. These experiences were singled out as being "world class", even while the rest of the globe was cut off last year.
Purcell who is the CFO for the national tourism body says her fellow judges will be rewarding experiences which follow the three core criteria of the awards:
Manaakitanga - showing aroha to guests within your community; Tiaki - guardianship and protection for the people and places under their care; and Whānau - looking after those closest to the business, as well as those visiting from afar.
"We know our operators have had an extremely challenging year, so it feels particularly
important to recognise their hard work at this time," says Purcell.
Judge and Air New Zealand head of sustainability Meagan Schoeffel praised all finalists for their work in maintaining environmental initiatives, even when the going got tough.
"The are so many fantastic examples of people doing what needed to be done and not giving up," she said.
The 2021Qualmark 100% Pure Experience Finalists
Northland
Dive! Tutukaka
Carino Wildlife Cruises
New Zealand Diving
Auckland
Skydive Auckland
Auckland Sea Kayaks
EcoZip Adventures
Bush & Beach
Auckland Seaplanes & Waiheke Wings
TIME Unlimited Tours
Waiheke Dive & Snorkel
Waikato
Hobbiton Movie Set
Discover Waitomo
Hukafalls Jet
Leisure Time Tours & Travel
Rotorua
MDA Experiences
Redwoods Tree Walk
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Kaitiaki Adventures
Whanganui
Nightsky Cottage
Hawke's Bay
Redcliffe Homestead
Craggy Range
Smith & Sheth
Wellington
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
New Zealand Photography Workshops
Nelson
Owen River Lodge
Kiwi Journeys
Farewell Spit Tours
West Coast
Franz Josef Glacier Guides
Skydive Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat - High Country Estate
& Luxury Villa Collection
Breakers Boutique Accommodation
Canterbury
GCH Aviation
Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort & Spa
Christchurch Adventure Park
Alpine Jet Thrills
Otago
Ridgeline Adventures
Shotover Jet
Wildwire Wanaka
Southern Discoveries
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown
Glen Dene Hunting & Fishing
Dart River Safaris
Ziptrek Ecotours
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa
Air Milford
Dunedin
Speight's Brewery Tour
Southland
Radfords of the Lake
For more New Zealand travel ideas and inspiration, go to newfinder.co.nz and newzealand.com
