Aotearoa New Zealand’s isite network – the motu’s (country) official visitor information network – is undergoing several changes that are set to benefit both domestic and international manuhiri (visitors).  

The upgrades include an official fitting out of some physical isite stores around the country and better incorporation of local history, culture and heritage attractions in isite’s offering to travellers.  

Enhancements will also be made to isite’s online consumer-facing website(opens in new window), which aims to help visitors find their nearest isite while travelling around the motu. It’s also a useful resource for travel trade, helping to provide a direct source of contact with the isites when searching for specific information about locations across the country. 

Additionally, there will be an updating of the isite branding across the network. 

The almost 60 locally owned and operated isite stores around Aotearoa play a valuable role in the New Zealand visitor experience, providing a gateway for those who seek. As well as offering unbiased advice and local expertise with information curated specifically for manuhiri, the stores are a source of inspiration for those wanting to discover the magic of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The improvements are funded by the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy via MBIE. Further information about the programme and its funding can be found here(opens in new window).

Why use an isite?

• Staffed by friendly locals who know their region inside out and who are keen to share their knowledge and experiences
• Backed by Tourism New Zealand and local government, isites provide advice you can trust
• Offer free maps and brochures manuhiri can take and displays they can interact with to better understand Aotearoa
• Safety is paramount – isite staff know how to prepare for any local activity
• isites across the motu work closely with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and know their parks, walks and accommodation from first-hand experience
• All isites are Qualmark accredited which means they have been independently validated as a quality tourism business that delivers a quality experience