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Credit: Dive Tutukaka

Growing marine ecotourism

Developing marine ecotourism that embraces regenerative principles and supports a blue economy.

Project LeaderDurationBudget
Simon Milne (AUT) & Chris Rosin (Lincoln University)December 2020 – July 2023 $500,000

Overview

Before Covid-19, tourism contributed 9.8% GDP, $40.9 billion and 14.4% national employment (StatsNZ, 2019). While Covid-19 has diminished the country’s most valuable export sector (tourism), it is also a catalyst to develop more sustainable experiences.

Our extensive coastline and unique marine environment places Aotearoa New Zealand in an excellent position to develop marine ecotourism that embraces sustainability/regenerative principles and supports a blue economy. But our understanding of marine ecotourism and how it connects to the blue economy is lacking. Marine ecotourism is an area often overlooked by policy makers and the connections to the spiritual, cultural, social, environmental, and economic well-being of communities is largely unexplored.

To develop marine ecotourism activity that embraces sustainability/regeneration and supports a blue economy, we need to understand where we are now, where we want to go, and how we will get there.

Drawing on mātauranga Māori, this project aims to develop marine ecotourism from low impact ecosystem-based management (EBM) principles. We are using innovative approaches to identify, investigate, and achieve the desired outcomes. Key to this is forming a network that enables cross-sectoral learning and can drive and enact change.

We are working in partnership with iwi, industry, government and community, to:

  • establish a baseline of marine ecotourism activity
  • co-create an actionable definition
  • construct collaborative measures for ‘success’ and test this in North and South Island case studies.

This research will include wānanga with case communities and mātauranga experts in factors that contribute to te Taiao, and participation in existing marine ecotourism activities. An iterative process of adaption and collaboration across sectors and cultures will enable knowledge exchange and learning to develop tools and frameworks that support the development of marine ecotourism.

Research Team

Simon Milne (AUT)
Chris Rosin (Lincoln University)
Keri-Anne Wikitera (AUT)
Carolyn Deuchar (AUT)
Joanna Fountain (Lincoln University)
Helen Fitt (Lincoln University)
Eilidh Thorburn (AUT)

Related News

Building back better: A catalyst for change30 Jun 2022Covid-19, integrity and ‘blue washing’ – marine ecotourism operators share their thoughts and concerns for the future9 Dec 2021Marine ecotourism is supporting tourism industry to build back better29 Nov 2021

Related Events

Webinar: Marine ecotourism – Where are we now and where are we going?

Project proposal

590 KB | pdf

DownloadView

Location

This is a national project.

Tools & Resources

This project has produced or contributed to:

Developing marine ecotourism for a sustainable blue economy: a literature review
Report
Milne S, Thorburn E, Rosin C, & Deuchar C
View
Marine and coastal ecotourism operators
Map
This interactive map visualises the location of marine and coastal ecotourism operators, and the main visitor experiences they provide. This is a living resource, the intent is to develop over time with input from the sector. (Published November 2021)
View
Data dashboard: Marine and coastal ecotourism operators
Digital tool
This interactive tool visualises the location and type of activity carried out by marine ecotourism operators in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a living resource. (November 2021)
View
Marine and coastal ecotourism - national and regional picture (part 1): Operator database and map
Report
This report provides baseline information on the size and activity profile of the sector in Aotearoa, and a contact list to help users further develop coastal and marine ecotourism networks. The information can also be used to identify where marine ecotourism overlaps with other blue economy activities. Authors: Milne S, Thorburn E, Trinh T, Dobbin N (November 2021)
View
Marine ecotourism: Where are we now and where are we going?
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Simon Milne, Keri-Anne Wikitera and Eilidh Thorburn, December 2021 (40 mins + Q&A)
View
Marine and coastal ecotourism - national and regional picture (part 2): Operator survey and interviews
Report
This report provides baseline information about Aotearoa’s marine and coastal ecotourism (MCET) sector, and sector aspirations for the future. It draws on: a nationwide survey of marine and coastal ecotourism operators (93 responses) listed on the MCET database developed in part 1; and 28 business interviews in mid-2021. Authors: Milne S, Thorburn E, Wikitera K, Deuchar C, Histen, S (December 2021)
View
Te Au o Te Moana | Special webinar series: Blue Economy
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Nick Lewis, Nigel Bradly, Julie Hall, Matt Miller, Simon Milne, John Reid & Oliver Wilson, April 2022 (60 mins + 27 mins Q&A)
View
Developing marine and coastal ecotourism
Report
Recommendations for tourism operators and policy makers (June 2024)
View
Resources for marine and coastal ecotourism operators
Report
Resources for developing marine coastal ecotourism and transitioning towards a blue economy (June 2024)
View
Ecotourism case studies
Report
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Akaroa (March 2024)
View

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