Omataroa Eco Tours

Omataroa Rangitaiki No.2 Trust are a Māori Lands Trust representing around 12,000 beneficiaries. The Trust was established in the 1970’s and have worked diligently to provide better economic, cultural and social futures for their people.

The Trust are major economic players in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with significant Forestry and Farming interests and a growing residential and commercial property portfolio. Omataroa have built a successful Kiwi recovery and breeding project within the Puhikōkō and Ngākauroa Reserves. This includes the Texas Rangers outdoor education programme where Te Teko students gain hands-on experience with Kiwi handling, Rongoā and bush skills – the future of Omataroa kaitiakitanga.

Ake Projects worked with the Trust to develop Omataroa Eco Tours, which was co-funded through the Provincial Growth Fund and Whenua Maori Scheme. Omataroa Eco Tours will deliver Māori led eco-tourism with a range of transformative experiences including Kiwi regeneration, Mātauranga Māori knowledge and environmental education.

Omataroa have collaborated and connected with the local and regional tourism sector to provide a valuable land-based, in nature alternative to current visitor experiences. Omataroa Eco Tours will deliver an authentic Māori experience of our Ngahere and Taonga that will be a key tourism asset for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, further establishing Whakatāne as a high-profile destination for domestic and international visitors alike.