Adapting Aotearoa 

Education That Enables Inclusive Tourism

The access market is one of the fastest-growing sectors in tourism, yet accessible and inclusive practice remains widely misunderstood. Many operators want to do the right thing, but are held back by inconsistent knowledge, unclear best practice, and a lack of practical tools to translate intent into action.

Adapting Aotearoa exists to close that gap.

Developed by Jezza Williams and the Makingtrax Foundation, Adapting Aotearoa is a national, education-led platform designed to build capability across the tourism industry. It supports operators to understand accessibility properly, apply best practice with confidence, and communicate their offering clearly to visitors.

Education sits at the core of the platform. Through more than 20 short, practical training modules, teams are guided step by step through the realities of access and inclusion — grounded in lived experience and supported by research. The focus is on real operating environments, helping businesses identify what matters, what is achievable, and where meaningful improvements can be made across physical spaces, communication, staff capability, and customer experience.

This learning leads to the platform’s most important outcome: the Access Guide.

 

Access Guides — The Key Enabler

Access Guides are the true enabler of inclusive tourism. They turn education into clarity and confidence. Rather than broad claims or assumptions, Access Guides provide accurate, experience-specific information that allows visitors to choose, trust, and book with confidence.

For businesses, Access Guides provide a structured, best-practice framework to assess their experience, document accessibility clearly, and communicate honestly and consistently. Every guide is developed using proven templates and examples, supported by Adaptive Advisory input and an annual expert appraisal. This ensures guides remain credible, current, and genuinely useful — for both visitors and operators.

Adapting Aotearoa is part of a nationwide commitment to position Aotearoa New Zealand as the Accessible Adventure Capital of the World. Supported by Tourism New Zealand and regional tourism partners, the platform connects participating operators with a fast-growing, high-value visitor market actively seeking trusted, transparent experiences.

Once published, an Access Guide becomes a genuine business asset. It strengthens customer trust, improves internal understanding, and provides a consistent reference point across operations, marketing, and visitor engagement. Participants also receive the right to use the Adapting Aotearoa endorsement logo, reinforcing leadership and credibility within the industry.

 

Flexible Education Pathways

Adapting Aotearoa recognises that not every organisation is ready for full platform participation. For international businesses, students, outdoor education facilities, new operators, or organisations wanting to build knowledge before committing, we offer a training-only pathway.

 

Training Modules — Foundation Learning

$150 one-time payment

This option provides a practical, non-commitment way to gain knowledge, build confidence, and understand the foundations of inclusive tourism practice.

The training modules are ideal for:

  • International businesses outside Aotearoa
  • Students and educators
  • New tourism and outdoor education operators
  • Organisations at the early stages of their accessibility journey

This option includes:

  • Access to the full suite of training modules
  • Foundations of inclusive practice and experience design
  • One-off advisory meeting for guidance and clarity
  • Preparation for future full membership, if and when you’re ready
  • No ongoing costs or annual commitment

 

 

Adapting Aotearoa Commitment

$250 per experience, per year

For businesses ready to lead, the full Adapting Aotearoa commitment offers an ongoing partnership focused on continuous improvement and best practice delivery.

This includes:

  • Full access to training modules, templates, and guidelines
  • Development and publication of your Access Guide
  • Regular Adaptive Advisory support from leading experts
  • Tailored feedback and an annual expert appraisal
  • Use of the Adapting Aotearoa endorsement logo
  • Promotion through Makingtrax, Regional Tourism Organisations, and Tourism New Zealand

This is where education, accountability, and visibility come together — supporting operators to deliver consistent, credible, inclusive experiences.

 

 

Adapting Aotearoa gives the tourism industry the knowledge it needs — and the tools it has been missing — to move from intention to best practice, and from best practice to leadership.

Learn more or sign up:
www.adaptingaotearoa.co.nz/sign-up