Urban tourism in New Zealand: the National Museum of New Zealand project

Abstract

New Zealand has built an international reputation as one of the world's most attractive and scenic tourist destinations. Its recent expansion in visitor arrivals and the increase in repeat visitors has led to a growing interest in niche markets, particularly ‘special interest tourism’ based on the nation's rich bicultural heritage. This paper examines the largest single state-funded heritage project - the National Museum of New Zealand. Located in the capital city, Wellington, the project is discussed in relation to its role in the redevelopment of the city's waterfront and the implications for the promotion of heritage tourism in the 1990s.