May 2009: Indigenous Trails becomes the first Maori-owned operator in Tauranga to receive "Qualmark" endorsement for "Endorsed Visitor Activity" and "

"Qualmark is New Zealand tourism's official quality agency. It is a government and private sector partnership between Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Automobile Association. Qualmark licenses professional and trustworthy New Zealand tourism businesses to use the Qualmark 'tourism's official quality mark' to help international and domestic travellers select places to stay, things to do and ways to get around"

February 2009: INDIGENOUS TRAILS WINS POPULAR INDIGENOUS TOURISM AND BIO-DIVERSITY WEB-SITE AWARD

The winner of the popular count 2009 ITBW Award, announced at the Reisepavillion - International Fair for Alternative Travel in Munich, Germany, is Indigenous Trails (New Zealand)

Highlights on the website include the company's policy promoting sustainability, responsible travel and a review of Maori Legends.

Web 2.0 highlights include videos on YouTube and a gallery of photos on Flickr.

Comments by voters

"Indigenous Trails ... embodies the Indigenous values and create connections between the Indigenous people of NZ and all their clients. I still live on these personal interactions and experiences. Another fact that I think really speaks for Indigenous Trails is there Volunteer program. Through this program many young people get an unique insight on how the indigenous people in NZ live and work."

"Indigenous Trails ... The design of web page seems represent well the Maori spiritual and earthy lifestyle projected as part of their tour. Our touring experience with this group was a learning experience with very positive results. Hence this website reminds us of the extra steps taken by this group to make our visit to New Zealand a special and memorable one."

Indigenous Tourism and Biodiversity Website Award