Pacific Tourism Returns to New Zealand with Hidden Treasures

2026 Treasures of the South Pacific Roadshow marks first direct engagement in New Zealand since 2019

The Pacific Tourism Organisation has re-engaged directly with New Zealand’s travel industry through the 2026 Treasures of the South Pacific Roadshow, marking its first participation in the New Zealand programme since 2019.

The four-city roadshow travelled through Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch, bringing Pacific destinations together with travel advisers and industry partners to strengthen destination knowledge and encourage greater consideration of the region in travel planning.

SPTO was represented by Digital Marketing Officer Atama Tamanilo, presenting the Pacific’s Hidden Treasures: Kiribati, Tuvalu, Naoero, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The roadshow also featured SPTO member destinations Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, The Islands of Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu, together with Norfolk Island, an SPTO Industry member.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker, said returning to New Zealand was an important opportunity to renew relationships and broaden awareness of the Pacific.

“Congratulations to the TOSP coordinator Richard Skewes for bringing ToSP back to New Zealand. It is long overdue and good to be back in New Zealand and engaging directly with the travel industry for the first time since 2019. New Zealand is one of the Pacific’s major source markets and has a longstanding relationship with the Pacific, and travel advisers play an important role in helping travellers understand the diversity of destinations and experiences across our region.”

“Through the Hidden Treasures initiative, we are also bringing five additional Pacific destinations into that conversation, giving travel professionals five more destinations to consider amongst the Pacific menu of destinations to share with their clients.”

Treasures of the South Pacific Coordinator Richard Skewes said the breadth of destinations represented remained one of the roadshow’s key strengths.

“What I particularly love about these events is that we aren’t simply talking about the destinations everyone already knows. We’re giving advisers the opportunity to discover places they may know very little about, meet the people representing them and hopefully walk away thinking, ‘I could sell that.’”

“With a record eight National Tourism Offices now participating in Treasures in New Zealand, the organisation continues to grow, and I think that says something about both the strength of the South Pacific and the importance of the New Zealand travel industry to our destinations.”

Skewes also confirmed the roadshow would return next year.

“There is absolutely no question, Treasures of the South Pacific will be back in New Zealand in 2027.”

Fiji Airways served as Major Sponsor of the 2026 roadshow, with the Pacific Tourism Organisation proudly supporting the programme.

Beyond the roadshow, SPTO highlighted further opportunities for New Zealand travel professionals to deepen their knowledge and connections with the Pacific.

Travel advisers were introduced to the Pacific Storytelling Specialist Programme, SPTO’s free online training programme designed to strengthen Pacific destination knowledge and support advisers to become certified Pacific specialists.

SPTO also promoted the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2027, resulting in a high level of NZ travel buyers and product managers interested in attending. The NZ travel trade will have the opportunity to meet tourism businesses and representatives from all 20 Pacific destinations in one regional marketplace

Mr Cocker said the roadshow was part of a wider effort to strengthen long-term engagement with New Zealand.

“Our engagement does not end with the roadshow. Advisers can continue building their knowledge through the Pacific Storytelling Specialist Programme, while SPTE gives buyers and product managers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with all 20 Pacific destinations under one roof.”

“We would welcome stronger New Zealand participation at SPTE 2027 and look forward to these relationships grow in strength.”