The Tourism Chat Show

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show, Michelle chats with Aimee Pitcher from Cape Sanctuary, a remarkable 2,500-hectare private conservation project on the Cape Kidnappers Peninsula in Hawke’s Bay. Aimee shares the story behind Cape Sanctuary’s 20-year restoration journey, from the 10.5km predator-proof fence to the return of 23 locally extinct species, more than one million native trees plant...

In this final TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle sits down with Rebecca Ingram, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, for an inside look at what’s shaping TRENZ 2026. With the event returning to Auckland for the first time in a decade, Bex shares how this year’s theme Whakapiki – Elevating Aotearoa New Zealand Tourism to the World is being brought to life through new initiatives, global insi...

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show – TRENZ Unpacked, Michelle sits down with Karen Thompson-Smith, Head of Tourism at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, to explore why Auckland is stepping confidently back into the spotlight ahead of TRENZ 2026. With major infrastructure projects nearing completion, new hotel investment across the city, and the long-awaited opening of the New Zealand International C...

In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle catches up with Nic Mead from Auckland Sea Kayaks ahead of his first-ever TRENZ - and what it’s taken to get there. Starting a business from his garage and growing it into one of Auckland’s most respected marine tourism operators, Nic shares the journey behind Auckland Sea Kayaks and the deep connection to place that sits at the heart of their experiences a...

Food is no longer just something visitors enjoy while they’re here -  it’s increasingly the reason they choose a destination in the first place. In this episode of TRENZ Unpacked, Michelle catches up with Elle Armon-Jones from The Big Foody, who has spent the past 15 years introducing visitors to New Zealand through curated culinary experiences across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin an...

In this episode of TRENZ Unpacked, Michelle chats with Sarah Johnson from Paper Ink and Passports Travel, a US-based Virtuoso travel advisor who specialises in high-end, experience-led itineraries for curious and well-travelled clients. Sarah shares what luxury travel really means in 2026 - and why it’s less about thread counts and more about access, uniqueness, and trusted relationships. She expl...

In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle chats with Ajay Vagha from APT Travel Group - a long-time group touring specialist with deep roots in New Zealand (APT’s first international destination). Ajay shares why scheduled group touring is enjoying a real resurgence, with travellers valuing the comfort, security and simplicity of having everything taken care of - from airport transfers to luggage h...

In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle is joined by Geraldine “G” McMillan, Western Markets Sales Manager at RealNZ, to unpack what really drives results at TRENZ. Responsible for revenue across the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico, G shares an inside look at how one of New Zealand’s largest tourism operators approaches the biggest onshore trade show of the year — and why the real value of TRE...

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Paul Button, General Manager of Rotorua Canopy Tours, to unpack one of New Zealand’s most remarkable tourism success stories. From his early days as a whitewater raft guide chasing winters and summers around the globe, to leading one of New Zealand’s most awarded visitor experiences, Paul shares his journey into tourism leadership and the culture that drive...

In the first TRENZ Unpacked episode for 2026, Michelle Caldwell is joined by industry stalwart Michel Adolphe, Chief Commercial Officer at Hind Management (home of the Sudima Hotel Group). With more than two decades of TRENZ under his belt, Michel shares a refreshingly honest look at how the event has evolved - and why its core purpose hasn’t changed. From handwritten appointment requests and queu...

Welcome Back! In this episode, Michelle catches up with Tony Laskey, Executive Director of ServiceIQ, to talk about the state of the tourism and hospitality workforce and why investing in people has never been more important. Tony breaks down what ServiceIQ actually does in plain English, how on-the-job training works, and why it’s designed to fit real workplaces without pulling staff off the floo...

In the final episode of our TRENZ Unpacked series prior to the big event, Michelle chats with Rebecca Ingram, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), just weeks out from TRENZ 2025. Together, they dive into: What’s New at TRENZ 2025 More informal networking time, a refreshed welcome function, a rejigged TRENZ Talks format, and better flow across the full event programme based on indust...

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show, Michelle sits down with RotoruaNZ’s Lou Baddeley to unpack one of the most underrated – yet crucial – parts of the TRENZ experience: networking. Whether you're a natural connector or someone who dreads striking up a conversation in a coffee queue, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you build relationships, spark opportunity, and turn casual...

In this special episode of The Tourism Chat Show, Michelle chats with Andrew Wilson, Chief Executive of RotoruaNZ, to unpack everything Rotorua has planned for TRENZ 2025 – and let’s just say, it's shaping up to be something pretty special. Highlights include: Appointment Schedules Now Live: Get across the new Trends Connect features – including a full list of missed appointment requests and mutua...

In this episode of the Tourism Chat Show, hosted by Michelle Caldwell, the spotlight is once again on women in tourism. Michelle launches with exciting details about the Women in Tourism Accelerator program competition, run in conjunction with Grow Tourism and Powrsuit.   The episode features Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana, Managing Director of TRC Tourism.   Kylie shares her inspiring career journey, enco...

Breaking Barriers: Women in Tourism Leadership & the Career Accelerator Episode Summary: In this episode, Michelle is joined by three incredible wahine toa who are making waves in the tourism and leadership space: Alex Dykman from Grow Tourism, and Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson from PowrSuit. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in tourism, the gender leadership gap, a...

In this special bonus episode, we celebrate International Women’s Day with Kerry Walker, CEO of Southern Discoveries. Kerry shares her journey in tourism, from starting as a hotel receptionist in Taupō to leading one of New Zealand’s top tourism businesses. She reflects on the challenges women face in leadership, including gender bias, imposter syndrome, and the importance of resilience and contin...

Kia ora and welcome back to The Tourism Chat Show! In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, host Michelle Caldwell shares her expert tips on how to maximise your appointment streams at TRENZ 2025. If you've ever felt like you were winging it at TRENZ, running from meeting to meeting without a clear strategy—this episode is for you! Michelle breaks down how to define your key markets, research buyers, and t...

In this episode of the Tourism Chat Show, host Michelle Caldwell is joined by Luke McLeod from Tāpoi Travel for a deep dive into TRENZ from a buyer's perspective. Luke, known for his straightforward approach, shares valuable insights and expectations buyers have from sellers at the event. They discuss the importance of pre-show preparation, the key information buyers seek during meetings, and the...

In this episode of the Tourism Chat Show, host Michelle Caldwell discusses the current state and future of tourism growth in New Zealand. Michelle introduces the Hon Louise Upston, the new Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, and highlights her potential positive impact on the industry. The episode delves into Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's ambitious plans for international tourism, examining...

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show, host Michelle Caldwell interviews Henry Horne from Hobbiton Movie Set and Tours. Celebrating the second episode of 2025, the discussion dives into the transformative journey of Hobbiton from its inception in 2002 to becoming a leading attraction today. Henry shares insights on the importance of trade relationships, the impact of the Tourism Industry event...

This is our first episode in a series of 'Where Are They Now?' - chatting with tourism legends who have moved on.  In this episode, Michelle chats with Guy Robinson about his extensive career in the tourism industry, including his roles at Ansett New Zealand, Budget Rent A Car, and Avis Budget Group. Guy discusses the impact of COVID-19 on his career, his brief stints in various roles, and his cur...

In this special (and slightly chaotic!) Christmas episode of the Tourism Chat Show, host Michelle is joined by an incredible lineup of guests: Adele Marsden from New Zealand Educational Tours, Lisa Chambers dialing in from Cairns Adventure Group, Garth Oakden of Tongariro River Rafting, and John Gregory from Terranova Tours. Together, they take a light-hearted look back at 2024, sharing highlights...

In this episode of the Tourism Chat Show's 'TRENZ Unpacked' series, host Michelle welcomes Craig Wilson, a veteran mentor for the TRENZ new exhibitor programme. Craig shares expert advice for first-time exhibitors, highlighting how to prepare marketing materials, make the most of networking and formal appointments, and the importance of post-TRENZfollow-ups. He also discusses the mentoring program...

In this episode of the Tourism Chat Show, host Michelle Caldwell welcomes Jacqui Lloyd, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Cruise Association, for an insightful discussion. Jacqui provides an update on the economic impact of cruise tourism in New Zealand, highlighting the findings of a recent study conducted by the AEC group. The conversation covers various topics, including significant economic c...