A Kiwi Family Business
And we mean 'family' in the widest sense of the term.
Community Engagement
Since opening its doors, Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours has been utilising tourism to provide positive change and offer opportunities for its local community. Regular educational and cultural exchange programmes are undertaken in the local schools and at traditional Marae, benefitting both visitors and local children alike.
This small family owned business chooses to use tourism to give back to their community, such as:
- More than 30,000 hangi meals have been delivered in to their community for those in need
- Annual educational trips around NZ are provided for a classroom of children from Murupara, all expenses paid
- More than $30,000.00 koha has been provided to local marae.
- Two young adults have attended Taratahi Farms on a full year scholarship, completing their courses, achieving certification, and emerging back in the world “work ready”.
- Two young adults have travelled to USA on a six week internship programme with one of the largest and most well-reputed oral health care companies in America.
- 36 winter school uniforms were purchased last year for local children.
- To date, Kohutapu Lodge has invested more than $500,000.00 back in to their local community thanks to tourism!
Mission
To create an intimate, interactive sought-after experience on the outskirts of Murupara, sharing tribal stories, and history of the Ngati Manawa people. Offering a wide range of accommodation options and experiences across our breath-taking natural landscapes, we will also incorporate social responsibility into our offering - whereby our visitors will engage and give back to the tamariki (children) of the area and through our local schools and create opportunities for travel, growth and development.
Vision
"Change a town through tourism"
Awards
2019 New Zealand Tourism Award – Community Engagement
2019 New Zealand Maori Tourism Dragons Den – Nga Toru Rakau
2018 New Zealand Maori Tourism Dragons Den – Whirinaki Forest Footsteps
Southern Urewera
A picturesque area steeped in cultural and geological history.
Surrounded by lush farmlands and forestry, Kohutapu Lodge overlooks the pristine Lake Aniwhenua - teeming with Rainbow and Brown trout.
Kohutapu Lodge is an intimate haven and perfect stopover point for setting off early to navigate the winding scenic route to Lake Waikaremoana (approximately 2.5 hours), is only 45 minutes to Whakatane for White Island and Whale Island tours. Venture 1 hour to Rotorua - the tourist mecca of the New Zealand - or 1 hour to Taupo, with plenty to see and do in between! An idyllic spot to base yourself for exploring the beautiful Eastern Bay of Plenty.
A private jetty stretches out into the lake, from where you can go kayaking, or explore the lake further by dinghy. Other water sports, including fishing, are available by arrangement. With fabulous lakeside location there’s plenty to keep you entertained! Great trout fishing right on your doorstep, hunting for deer and wild pigs, game shooting, bush walking in the Whirinaki, tramping in Te Urewera, mountain biking in Minginui, kayaking, rafting or jet boating the Rangitaiki . . . or perhaps even just relaxing!
Accommodation options range from self-contained cottages to lodge cabins, powered and tent sites – there is something for everyone here!
For many people, Kohutapu Lodge will remain a relaxing stay or holiday spot in a beautiful unspoilt location – however – if you wish to delve a little deeper and connect even further with your hosts, you will certainly be able to do just that.
We are delighted to share with you our stories, our culture, our kai (food) and the warmth of our manaakitanga (hospitality). The Toe Toe whanau (family) belong to the Ngati Manawa Tribe, and their whakapapa (family tree) stretches back to these lands 400 years before the Great Migration, to the first inhabitants of this rohe (land within the tribal boundaries). Many of their stories have been handed down generation to generation and are waiting to be shared especially with you, along with plenty of interactive cultural activities and traditional kai (food) experiences.
