This comprehensive mixed-method research, undertaken from December 2020 to July 2021, comprised:
• A survey of visitor satisfaction relating to Waiheke visits (n=991)
• A survey of Waiheke residents’ perspectives on future tourism on the island (n=294; 43% engaged in tourism services)
• A survey of pandemic impacts on Waiheke tourism-related businesses (n= 98)
• In-depth interviews with managers of essential services on Waiheke (n=23) – health and emergency services; water, waste management, wildlife and conservation/regeneration services; transport, infrastructure and accommodation services; budgeting and community advice/support; and governance (Local Board)
• An analysis of five Waiheke social media sites December 2020-May 2021.
The aims of the project were to identify and report:
• The nature and extent of the positive and negative impacts of recent tourism levels on Waiheke’s environments, including the community itself, in the views of residents
• The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism businesses
• What visitors to Waiheke value most.