Local business support for a New Zealand first in Auckland

An interactive hub allowing visitors to create DIY tours of Auckland’s cultural hotspots has gained the support of local tour businesses.

Pa Rongorongo, opened recently in Auckland Central’s Griffiths Gardens, allowing visitors to design their own walking and cycling tours of Auckland Central from an array of parks, cultural heritage sites and attractions.

Existing tour operators have welcomed the new initiative, including Liz Lyons, the guide director for Aucky Walky tours, who said “anything that promotes walking is good.”

Ms Lyons isn’t concerned Pa Rongorongo may hurt her operations, as while she said local Aucklanders may find it useful, she doubts North American and British tourists will be interested.

“They value top advice, entertaining story-telling and an insight into New Zealand culture,” said Ms Lyons, who believes guided walking tours provide a “real connection with a local Aucklander.”

Raina Roberts of Hassle Free Tours, which operates several sight-seeing buses throughout Auckland, said they were not aware of Pa Rongorongo before its opening, but supported the council’s move.

“The project sounds exciting and any new activities that might encourage people to visit Auckland and explore the city is a positive move in our eyes,” said Ms Roberts.

Liz Allen, who has been leading the project for the council, said Pa Rongorongo was aimed at all people, including tourists, but the council would meet with walking tour groups to support them to start their tours at the hub.

“We will also be promoting any groups who provide free walking tours in the city centre through the mapping portal, brochures and social media,” said Ms Allen.

Ms Allen said Pa Rongorongo collated information that is often scattered across the internet and found at council kiosks around the city, while also offering Te Reo fluent staff members for assistance and community workshops.

“We were getting feedback from the public that there wasn’t one place in the city centre where you could go to access information,” said Ms Allen.

Featuring interactive visual content about Auckland’s attractions and a 3-D model of the city, Pa Rongorongo is a joint venture between the council and Auckland Transport.

It highlights further investment in technology by Auckland Transport, which in 2016 released a technology strategy report, detailing how it could improve its digital relations and functions across the business, rather than just in one-off projects.