Nga mihi nui kia koutou
Mõhio (moor-he-aw) v. is Maori for to know, comprehend, realise. It is the name taken by a the new entity which has emerged from award winning Auckland Maori tourism company Potiki Tours
After beginning the New Zealand company Potiki Adventures Ltd in 2003, much has changed and evolved for what is now a multi award-winning, internationally renowned business. Way back then it started as an Outdoor Adventure business with Maori perspectives – aimed at working with young international travellers. Originally the name Potiki was chosen to acknowledge that the company was the youngest and most inexperienced in the tourism ‘family’, like a last born child – the potiki.
However, over the intervening years the tourism side of the company has undergone massive changes, adapting and changing its direction in relation to target market, style and content of the tours – in particular moving away from adventure tourism. Additionally, in December 2009, Potiki founders Melissa Crockett and Bianca Ranson formally split the company in order to each focus on building businesses based on their individual areas of interest – Melissa taking the Tourism side and Bianca taking the Outdoor Adventure side of the original company. So in January 2010, two new companies were formed – Potiki Tours Ltd (Melissa’s new tourism company) and Potiki Adventures Ltd (Bianca’s new outdoor adventure company).
Under the sole direction of Melissa Crockett, Potiki Tours has continued to provide the existing tourism products sold extensively to an international tourism market throughout North America, the UK, Europe and Australia. We have also developed innovative new products such as the freshly launched Insider’s Guide Tour, a walking tour of trendy inner city suburbs. (Described by the Senior Editor of US Forbes Life Magazine as: “A highlight of my time in Auckland”.)
From its original beginnings providing Maori themed adventure tours for backpackers, this forward thinking boutique tourism company has really grown up. These days the focus is on providing unique interpretative tours of Auckland city and surrounds. These range from small group Maori themed sightseeing and ‘Insider Guide’ tours, through to private contemporary art tours for high net worth international travellers.
So, in order to reflect this change and the related growth of the company, we are excited to announce that we are changing the company name. Taking immediate effect, the new name is:
Mõhio Tours – mohio (moor-he-aw)
meaning to know, comprehend, realise
This name reflects what we believe clients gain from joining one of their interpretative tours. Whether it be an insight into the beauty of Auckland’s landscapes, knowledge of the unique indigenous Maori culture, uncovering some of the best kept secrets about the inner city from Aucklanders ‘in-the-know’, or discovering the links between traditional Maori iconography and contemporary New Zealand art.
It also explains a little of our journey, from the potiki of the tourism industry, to a strong innovative company, who strives to know what will work best for their customers and realises how to deliver those experiences.
We know we have a lot to offer our clients, but we also acknowledge that we will always have plenty to learn. Cultural exchange is about sharing knowledge between both parties – learning about the similarities and differences is often one of the most fascinating things about travel, and this will continue to form a key component of the Mōhio Tours experience.
In addition to the new company name, we have moved offices to a great new location in the CBD. We are in the historic Fire Station building in Beresford Square, just off Pitt Street. However this will be our administrative base, so as per usual we will continue to pick up our clients from city accommodation, or meet them at pre-arranged pick up locations.
Finally – we are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Enviro-Silver status in our recent Qualmark accreditation!
We would like to thank you for all of your past support and look forward to continuing on our journey with you through this next exciting phase of development.
Mohio Tours website
Mohio Tours on Women Travel
Markets – Beach walks – Almond Blossom Festival – Wine – Galwa – Port Elliot – Cycleways
Markets are HOT in Adelaide and practically mainstream
We are in Adelaide for a winter holiday, but before heading off to our base in Port Willunga, South of Adelaide, we shop up for goodies at the Adelaide Central Market. Two days later we are at the prize winning Saturday Willunga Farmers Market – smaller and more grass roots local growers. Between these markets we barely need a supermarket and our shelves are stocked with great local produce for the next 10 days of holiday. It would be so cool to live here and have it all so close. Read more
Old is chic – old buildings left to rot on the outside and funky done up inside. We are off on a browsing, eating and window shopping trip in North Melbourne’s funky suburb of Fitzroy. Johnson Street and Brunswick Street here we come!
Coffee shops are ubiquitous these days in most cities of the world – most make OK expresso, but I am on the search for the ones that have risen to the top in Melbourne for providing the best coffee and service. Read more
Sometimes we want to travel but are intimidated by being by ourselves. We want company, but don’t want to be on a bus load of couples travelling around Europe. We want to explore out of the way places, but are nervous going on our own.
The good news is there are a lots of companies out there who are ready to meet your need. Many of them are offering tours especially focused on the needs of w0men travellers. Women Travel the World has a special Tour Calendar of these tours – you can explore the great cities of Europe, walk through Kenya, barge through the French countryside or travel the Silk Rd…
I just surfed into the site and there are currently these tours on offer:
- Australasia/Pacific (38)
- Europe (47)
- Africa/Middle East (30)
- Asia & Eastern Europe (70)
- Central/South America (13)
- North America + Hawaii (10)
All you have to do is name your dream destination and surf in to find what is on offer from a variety of travel companies. It could not be easier – and there are new tours being added all the time.
Find your Dream Tour now
A Journey of Discovery at Machu Picchu by Gayle Lawrence founder of Journeys of Discovery: Mind, Body, Spirit Travel Adventures
An Outer Discovery… An Inner Journey
Read more about her company and tours on offer here Read more
Soulful Woman Bali Retreats:
Pampering and Empowerment in One Package
There’s a quiet revolution happening in women’s self-care. Women are seeking respite and healing from the stresses of daily life through taking well-earned retreats. Imagine taking a week-long retreat dedicated to rejuvenating your body, mind and spirit. Imagine taking this retreat somewhere lush and tropical and at an affordable price. Read more
Venus Adventures is a NZ and Swiss based company which focuses on women travellers. They can help you organise your own custom trip (mixed or women-only) to Morocco! Read more
I have in the past few months come across several older women who have decided to take to the road on their cycles. Life is too short – they have dreamed of travel and cycling and were putting things in place to do it. I say Go for it… Karen
Karen Cooper’s Blog – Karen is 60 years and still riding
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Mary “Mumbi” Kariuki has been guiding on the trails of Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro, and other East African mountains for 8 years – and she’s not over the hill yet. In 2001 Mary officially became the first, and only, rated female guide serving these mountains. Before she was a guide, Mary worked her way through the ranks as all African guides should have, as a porter.
