Young Maori Tourism Professional wins top national award
The young director of Auckland based Potiki Adventures took out the prestigious PATA Young Tourism Professional Award at
the New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards Gala last night in Wellington.
In front of industry colleagues and peers, twenty-nine year old Auckland woman Melissa Crockett was judged the best of
the best in the tourism field. Judges described Melissa as a rising star and a true asset to the New Zealand tourism
industry.
PATA NZ Trust Chairperson Neil Plimmer said: “The PATA Young Tourism Professional Awards recognise inspiring individuals
who are paving the way in the tourism sector. Melissa is an impressive individual who had the entrepreneurial nous to
fill a gap in the tourism market.”
Since October 2003, Melissa has worked with her co-director Bianca Ranson setting up and running Potiki Adventures, a
Maori tourism business providing day trips with a strong Maori perspective. Melissa was actively involved in all aspects
of the business set-up.
Charmaine Barnett, one of Melissa’s nominees, said: “In a short space of time Melissa has developed Potiki Adventures as
a leader in cultural tourism. She has targeted and steadily grown significant markets - both the high end individual
traveler and the younger adventure traveler.”
Melissa has a background in theatre, both production management and fundraising. She was educated in Taipa and began
part-time study towards a BA at Auckland University in 1994. She is currently chairperson of the Te Rakau Hua o Te Wao
Tapu Trust in Wellington and in her earlier years was a telephone counsellor with Youthline.
Melissa said: “Being recognised for this award is just fantastic. Setting up your own business on the basis of your
belief in bringing experiences that offer a Maori perspective to life is incredibly hard work. I know that our
international visitors really rate what we offer but to receive recognition like this from the New Zealand tourism
industry means an enormous amount to me.”
Melissa joins previous award recipients Chris Lamers, General Marketing Manager of Positively Wellington Tourism;
Malcolm Johns, CEO of InterCity Group Limited; Paul Bingham, CEO of Black Cat Cruises; Richard Wilson; Tourism Holdings
Group; and Simon Douglas, formerly Ministry of Tourism and now at Ministry of Transport.
The PATA Young Tourism Professional Award is a scholarship granted by the PATA New Zealand Trust to advance the
professional development of emerging talent in the New Zealand tourism industry. PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association)
is an international organisation committed to sustainable growth and development of the global tourism industry. The
PATA Young Tourism Professional Awards is part of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) annual Tourism
Industry Awards and recognises young ‘stars’.
ENDS