Aucklanders urged to discover their backyard
First wave of ‘Explore Tāmaki Makaurau’ vouchers now in the post
Auckland’s hospitality sector in bracing for a major boost in business as Mayor Phil Goff encourages Aucklanders to make the most of the opportunity afforded by the ‘Explore Tāmaki Makaurau’ Voucher Program to get out and explore their region over the coming summer months.
More than 140,000 Aucklanders have registered for the 100,000 vouchers up for grabs in the program which offer substantial discounts on a host of Auckland region-based tourist attractions and activities with the first 30,000 distributed on January 15.
Activities on offer range from surf lessons, Auckland Harbour sailing cruises and an All Blacks Experience to a Waiheke Island wine tour and Auckland Zoo family passes to name but a few.
Mayor Goff said the vouchers recognise the long months of lockdown in 2021 when Aucklanders made significant sacrifices to protect the rest of New Zealand from COVID-19.
“I hope families and people throughout the region will enjoy this opportunity to experience some of the world-class attractions and destinations that make Auckland a great place to live,” he said.
“By encouraging people to move around the city and visit new places, the vouchers will also provide a boost for businesses such as restaurants and cafes.”
The region’s economic and cultural agency, Auckland Unlimited, is delivering the voucher program on behalf of the New Zealand Government.
Auckland Unlimited director of Investment and Industry, Pam Ford, said the program provides an overdue boost in business for Auckland’s attraction and activity operators.
“We have had great feedback and interest from operators to take part in the program and we are thrilled to showcase such wide range of fun experiences on offer across Auckland.”
Vouchers have been allocated randomly through an automated process and will be distributed based on the population size of each local area. This is to achieve an even distribution of vouchers across all eligible areas and communities.
The Explore Tāmaki Makaurau Voucher Program is one component of the Reactivating Tāmaki Makaurau Support Package announced by the New Zealand Government on 1 December 2021.
Other programmes include the Explore Tāmaki Makaurau Discount Program and the Local Activation Program. Further information on these programs is available at www.aucklandnz.com/reactivate.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
