Sacred Stone Welcomes visitors to Dart River Jet Safaris

8 May 2012

Sacred Stone Welcomes visitors to Dart River Jet Safaris

A sacred Maori pounamu stone now welcomes visitors to Dart River Jet Safaris’ Glenorchy Visitor Centre, the starting point for New Zealand’s most sensational journey.

The large stone was installed and blessed at a special ceremony earlier this year.

Visitors are invited and encouraged to touch the stone to add a cultural dimension to the welcoming experience to the centre. The placement of the pounamu strengthens the local Maori tribe’s link to the iconic Ngāi Tahu Tourism experience.

Dart River Jet Safaris Manager, Clark Scott said the Dart River (Te Awa Whakatipu) was an area of significant cultural importance to the Ngāi Tahu tribe’s Southern groups, who have a very strong relationship with the area, and the stone was a powerful symbol of the tribe’s relationship to the land.

“It enables us to showcase Ngāi Tahu traditions and share local stories with visitors to the pristine Dart River Valley, and those visitors from all around the globe are always fascinated to learn some of the history of this stunning area,” he said.

Interpretative panels and imagery tell the story of Te Koroka, the special protected area that is the source of this and other precious pounamu, Ngāi Tahu traditional links with the area and the overall beauty of the landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Area.

Mr Scott said the company’s Wilderness Safari and Funyak Safari trips took visitors on the region’s longest and most sensational jet boat rides into Mt Aspiring National Park, and were unique combinations of breathtaking scenery, exhilarating wilderness jet boating, Maori heritage and inspiring adventure.

“Visitors love to be able to embark on a rare journey retracing the footsteps of the first Maori people of this land who discovered this rugged, beautiful and unique environment,” he said. “It was here they explored for food and discovered the precious pounamu which became highly valued for tools, weapons and adornments.”

Ngāi Tahu Tourism has recently launched its new nationwide ‘Go Pass’, a discount card exclusively for independent travelers offering savings on 17 iconic New Zealand activities.

For more information about Dart River Jet Safaris, visit www.dartriverjetsafaris.com

About Ngāi Tahu Tourism:

Ngāi Tahu Tourism is one of New Zealand’s premier tourism operators and the parent company of an extensive portfolio of iconic adventure and eco-tourism businesses.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism is one of New Zealand’s premier tourism operators and the parent company of an extensive portfolio of iconic eco-tourism and adventure experiences.

From high adrenalin thrills to remote and spectacular World Heritage locations each business offers a range of unique experiences for travellers to and around New Zealand.

South Island operations include Shotover Jet, Dart River Jet Safaris and Hollyford Track Guided Walks in Queenstown, and Franz Josef Glacier Guides and Glacier Hot Pools in Franz Josef.

North Island operations include Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park and a significant investment in the Agrodome in Rotorua and the Hukafalls Jet in Taupo.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism is part of the Ngâi Tahu Holdings Group which includes significant seafood and property businesses.

ENDS

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