Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana is an innovative leader in the tourism sector, renowned for her expertise in Indigenous tourism, strategic planning, and purposeful engagement. With over 20 years of experience, Kylie has worked extensively with indigenous communities and small groups to create sustainable, values-based tourism models that honour cultural integrity and foster economic resilience. Her approach combines deep community engagement with strategic foresight, ensuring tourism initiatives align with the aspirations of local communities and future generations.

As Managing Director of TRC Tourism, Kylie leads transformative projects that integrate cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and meaningful visitor experiences. She has been instrumental in developing destination management plans, and Indigenous-led tourism initiatives across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific. Her leadership is characterised by a commitment to sustainable growth, collaborative partnerships, and empowering communities to tell their stories authentically.

Kylie is also the owner of an award-winning whānau (family) tourism business offering a view to the natural world through a Māori cultural lens.

Strengths

• Values-based strategic planning and development specialist.
• Experience in driving value-based tourism propositions.
• Experience in the development of values-based business plans embedded in cultural and family values.
• Hands-on experience in stakeholder relationship management and indigenous engagement.
• Visitor experience development that makes the most of the place, people, stories and interpretation, and aligning them to the right market.

Project Highlights

INDIGENOUS TOURISM

• Wairarapa Māori Tourism Development Strategy
• Indigenous Ways – Purposeful Engagement Framework
• Ngāti Oneone Tourism Strategy Development
• Ngā Ara Tipuna Business Case and Plan

STRATEGIC DESTINATION PLANNING

• Blue Mountains Destination Management Plan
• Hurunui Destination Management Plan
• Wairarapa Destination Management Plan
• Mount Isa Economic Transformation – Tourism

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Otatara Visitor Experience
• Porirua Visitor Plan
• Kāpiti Gateway Feasibility Report
• Eastwood hill Experience Assessment

TRAILS DEVELOPMENT