Nadine ToeToe Champions Regenerative Tourism as a Force for Community Change

Prominent Māori tourism leader Nadine ToeToe has shared her vision for how Indigenous-led business can transform local communities and protect cultural identity. Speaking with Dale Husband on the Radio Waatea programme He Rerehua on Friday, 24 July 2026, ToeToe detailed her journey from a 20-year career in global tourism back to her roots in Murupara. Alongside her husband Karl, ToeToe established Kohutapu Lodge and Tribal Tours, an enterprise grounded in Ngāti Manawa values. The business is now recognised globally as a model for regenerative tourism. Rather than focusing solely on commercial gain, ToeToe explained that the lodge prioritises the wellbeing of the community, creating meaningful employment and supporting environmental restoration. She told Radio Waatea that tourism should be used as a force for positive change, where visitors become part of a story that directly benefits local rangatahi and whānau. ToeToe’s influence extends beyond Aotearoa through her involvement with Native Nations. This initiative connects First Nations peoples globally to share knowledge and develop decision-making frameworks that place people and the environment at the center of tourism. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that future generations inherit thriving land alongside sustainable businesses. During the kōrero, ToeToe noted that Māori culture has shifted from being an optional addition to being the central pillar of the New Zealand visitor experience. By operating on their own terms and sticking to tikanga, Indigenous operators allow visitors to leave with a deeper understanding and authentic connection to the land. The interview highlighted that for leaders like ToeToe, the priority remains protecting identity and ensuring that the whenua continues to thrive for those who follow.