Motueka’s isite Visitor Information Centre is embracing a broader role in the community as its new manager works to rebuild connections after a difficult period of closure.
After three months at the helm, manager Anita Araya is well-versed in the hidden gems of the Abel Tasman, but she is also becoming increasingly familiar with the region’s pest control and lawnmowing services.
“People come here and call us for all kinds of random questions,” she says with a laugh.
It is exactly the kind of community connection she wants, with the information centre serving locals as much as summertime tourists.
The isite was closed for about six weeks late last year due to staffing issues. The shutdown created challenges for some tourism operators who noticed a dip in their sales. Anita began as one of the centre’s five part-time employees when it reopened in early November and says she immediately focused on rebuilding relationships.
Originally from Chile, Anita has lived in New Zealand for 12 years and the Tasman region for four. With a background in management and business, she says she is passionate about exploring the outdoors with her family.
“For me, tourism should create positive impact, strengthen local businesses, and ensure that future generations can enjoy what we are privileged to experience today.”
Motueka’s visitor information centre is now the region’s only remaining isite. Murchison and Nelson both closed in 2022, and Golden Bay shut its doors in June 2025. Motueka’s Department of Conservation office is also no longer open to the public. These closures make Motueka’s centre even more valuable, Anita says.
“Most of the operators know how important it is for the region that we are alive.” Motueka’s isite served 3800 in January alone, with about half of those people making bookings or booking enquiries.
She says that customers still place a high value on being able to speak to a human, with many of the people coming through the doors for help in fixing a problem.
The isite receives no council or government support, relying on retail and commission from bookings to survive.
Anita says they are working to make Motueka’s isite more sustainable by introducing retail items and broadening its services as a dry-cleaning drop-off and courier service.
“My vision is to strengthen its role as a true community hub,” she says. That means supporting visitors, backing local businesses, and contributing to the resilience and well-being of the wider community.
