Journey of Ages – Tamaki Maori Village, Rotorua

A trilogy of historical New Zealand novels, mirrored by three dramatic re-enactments across the country, are the beginning of what will soon be an amazing network of powerful stories and visitor encounters around the world, linked beneath a single banner, Global Storytellers.

“Our vision is to link the most dramatic and significant stories - firstly from the South Pacific and later other nations - from around the world. We will develop these stories both as published novels and also as live re-enactments – and these will be shared by those to whom the story belongs.

“The stories we work with are always those that really exemplify true grit, determination – the true strength of a culture and its people. They are stories of survival, of victory – but also stories of hardship, of moments in history that have all but wiped out a people- stories that share how they emerge from these hardships - their survival story” explains Mike Tamaki.

Mike and his brother Doug are the driving force behind the Global Storytellers vision. And these New Zealand tourism entrepreneurs know their stuff. They own all three New Zealand based stories and tourism encounters. In December 2008, the brothers launched the first novel of the trilogy Chronicles of Uitara – Lost in Our Own Land which paints a hard hitting, at times gruesome picture of the impact of European settlement upon Maori. The second published book of the trilogy – Journey of Ages will be released early 2009 and The Arrival by late 2009.

Lost in Our Own Land is set in the 1800’s and traces the impact of colonisation, particularly the musket wars, Journey of Ages is set in a pre-European New Zealand - around late 1600’s early 1700’s. The Arrival begins at 3000BC and relays the story of the migration across the Pacific.

Each story, Lost in Our Own Land, Journey of Ages and The Arrival is based on real people and actual events as experienced by a fictional warrior line over many hundreds of years. Each story is set in a different era in time spanning from 3000BC through to today and each introduces a new generation of the hero, Uitara.

Two of three planned visitor attractions have also now been developed: Lost in our own Land, Christchurch is heading into its second summer and has enjoyed outstanding reviews from both guests and the tourism industry at large, while the award-winning Tamaki Maori Village encounter in Rotorua has been redesigned and re-branded heading into its first summer as Journey of Ages. Each experience has been developed with faithful attention the smallest of details resulting in authentic, inspirational sets. There are Pre-European villages, forests, colonial townships, pacific waterways and islands, railways and tramways. Once complete, there will be over 100 actors delivering re-enactments of each story every night across the country.
The Arrival will open in Manukau Auckland late 2010.

And according to Mike Tamaki, this is just the beginning; a tiny taste of the Global Storytellers potential:
“We have this amazing template now – we have proven the impact of storytelling upon today’s travellers, we have developed the stories, we have developed the tourism product in support of the stories - significant and powerful re-enactments. Now all that remains is to stretch a little further, to spread our wings in to the Pacific,” he explains.

More than a tourism trail and more than just a set of great books, the real magic of the Tamaki formula is the way in which it marries indigenous spirit and storytelling tradition with the necessary and robust business practices that allow communities to enjoy sustainable economic independence.

“Over the past 20 years or so, we have nailed one of the most complex components of the formula – working with indigenous communities to create success all around – checking off the responsibility to the integrity of the culture – ensuring it is accurate and truly representative – whilst at the same time ensuring that the environment within which we develop tourism product and stories is nurtured, cared for in a sustainable way. There is the social impact of the development – we ensure it enriches the people – that it encourages pride, knowledge and understanding of stories, of tradition and of the importance of heritage – especially to the youth. And, as importantly as these three things – it is critical that the product and stories we develop are economically robust and sustainable as businesses.”

It is a fine balancing act to achieve, but one the Tamaki brothers and their team have significant experience with. They are currently working with communities within the South Pacific and Australia to nurture new product within the Global Storytellers banner and are always seeking new opportunities to work with and develop new stories.