3 October 2016
For immediate release
Monaco Yacht Show 2016 embraces Maori culture: More superyachts look at New Zealand as cruise destination: Unique
experiences find favour
The worlds largest and most prestigious superyacht show held annually in Monaco attracts the rich and famous for a week
long show-case of super yachts and an array of land and sea toys that defy imagination. Wealth at this event is counted
in $billions and can exceed the GDP of many small countries.
Into this crucible New Zealand Luxury Experiences launched their brand new catalogue of bespoke cultural experiences for
owners and their guests. Attending the show were business partners Duthie Lidgard of Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ and
John Panoho Director Marketing at NZLE.
PANOHO said, “We approached MYS 2016 and sought permission to showcase Maori culture at the show and then set about getting
invitations to meet Captains and owners on board the yachts, charter companies at their stands and the media at every
opportunity. We flew London based Manaia Cultural performers to Monaco to support the brand launch and during the week
performed invite only events on yachts, with charter companies and yacht industry V.I.P.s.”
LIDGARD says, “This was all designed to call attention to Aotearoa as not only the worlds best destination for Super yachts refits,
but more importantly a safe and profoundly beautiful playground for their wealthy owners and guests.”
New Zealand Luxury Experiences is the only full service tour company in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region that is
dedicated to supporting Superyachts. Their bespoke cultural experiences are guided by Maori values and these anchor
stories and principles in four pillars that reflect the unique Nature, Culture, People and Place of Aotearoa New Zealand.
PANOHO said, “We wanted to highlight those values and show how we apply them across a wide spectrum of experiences. We did this by
first engaging with a Captain or host in a mihi-whakatau, then gifting them with a taonga pounamu. This enables our
unique storytelling that is enhanced with waiata and finally a resounding Haka so there is no mistake about the New
Zealand and Maori context of the engagement”
LIDGARD, “It was very moving at times with quite a bit of emotion shown particularly by New Zealand crew who miss home.”
Nicolas Fry
Charter Marketing Division
Camper & Nicholsons Monaco S.A.M.
Sent this message following the presentation of a taonga to Sonya, the Kiwi Captain of MY Eclipse :
“I would like to thank you for organizing this fantastic performance with the Maori warriors on board M/Y Eclipse. It
was memorable for all our guests as they brought a good vibe on board. You will find below the e-mail sent to all
brokers to thank them. I attach a few good pictures taken during the performance.”
Back home the SY season has begun in earnest and already the company is providing luxury experiences to two vessels and
have at least six more on the way. New Zealand is definitely on the radar for superyacht Captains, their owners and
management companies. Meanwhile organization like ATEED continues their endeavors to attract Charter boats to the
region, which would greatly increase the number of wealthy visitors to our shores.
Manaia perform mihi-whakatau, waiata and haka at the gifting of Stainless Steel Patu to shipbuilding magnate Peter
Lürsson. Patu designed and crafted by Ned Wood of Manson Anchors Auckland