Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History is thrilled to be awarded a Qualmark Endorsement with a Bronze Sustainable Tourism Business Award.
Aratoi has been working hard over the last few years to improve its processes, health and safety requirements and providing a warm welcome.
To achieve a Bronze Award, a tourism business must meet all Qualmark’s minimum standards across 40 key components contained in the Sustainable Tourism criteria. It identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, an awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a customer centric approach.
Keri Edmonds Qualmark's Tourism Business Advisor was particularly impressed with the cultural interpretations and maanakitanga and said that there was a strong relationship with Iwi within Wairarapa, “Aratoi recognises Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa as having mana whenua within the rohe [region] of Wairarapa. There is a strong relationship with Iwi, including representation on the board. Approximately one third of the exhibitions housed in the Museum are linked to Taonga Māori.”
Keri particularly highlighted our sustainability goals, emphasising that the museum’s solar panel project and engagement with the local community around this project was one to be proud of and how its education programme helps Wairarapa students connect, engage and develop their creativity through positive, fun and interactive experiences.
Aratoi will be continuing to improve and develop its processes and expanding its retail spaces further to continue supporting local artists and regional wares.