Tourist guide loves the life

Tu Tangata, Issue 16, 1 March 1984, Page 49

Tourist guide loves the life

Vern Rice

As a girl, Haana Anaru grew up among tourist and guides in the village of Whakarewarewa.

Close contact with both visitors and locals prompted her to become a tourist guide. So, after being a clerical worker with a Rotorua engineering firm, she applied to join the tourist department.

She has been a guide for 23 years, and works in the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Whakarewarewa.

“It’s the meeting people I like the personal contact with people from all walks of life,” she says, as she weaves flax in her lunch-hour.

A usual day at the institute for this active grandmother begins at 8.30 am. Today nearly 400 tourists have been through the doors, and like the other guides, Haana will be off to show a group around at 1 pm.

The visitors are directed around geysers and mudpools, as well as taking in Maori art and craftwork.

Over the years, Haana has changed her ideas about what being a guide means.

“When I was young, it was a job, but when you have been with the profession for a while, it becomes a dedication,” she says.

Haana’s desire for promoting Maori culture goes further than guiding. She is also involved in the performing arts, and belongs to the Amokura and Kotuku cultural groups.

She describes Rotorua as “the mecca of Maori culture.”

“It’s my home town. Rotorua has a lot to offer tourism. We have a rich history here. These are my roots.”

Haana is concerned about unemployment in the city. She says one possible solution to this would be to boost tourism even higher in the area, thereby creating more jobs.

The building of more motels, hotels and complexes such as the institute would contribute towards increased employment.

As a guide, Haana thinks she can do her part by promoting tourism. She has lived in the village of Ngapuna for 30 years now, with her husband, who is retired. Her two sons and one daugher are all married, and she has seven grandchildren.

“My plan for the future is to retire gracefully,” she says. “I would like to help others, especially young folk. If I could help them with what I’ve learned here, or in the performing arts, then I’ll be happy.”