Before continuing the series of inmates’ interviews, we should explain:  Instead of boring you with images of the swimming pool complex and spa pools at Tongariro River Motel (we filled them in years ago) and interior photos of spaciousness nothings or SWMBO’s flowers, we realise you would much rather hear personally from our guests (inmates?) themselves.

Anything we say to promote the Tongariro is highly likely to be regarded as biased BS – stories of huge trout lined up waiting for tourists, etc.  But when you hear directly from inmates – I made sure I was not even there at the interviews – then the degree of credibility is that much higher.  This is a warts and all presentation – some have even been very critical of certain aspects of the management – true!  You may enjoy their comments even more?

(Historic image on right was TRM in 1959!)

So every Sunday TRM will feature inmates interviews.  We have tried not to be too picky.  Not all are fishos.  Some have booked in for their first time.  Others you might recognise as they consider TRM as their second home.  But from these you should get a very good idea of why so many return again and again.  What a wonderful modern way to communicate the true feelings and impressions of TRM guests – via an iPhone (I trust it doesn’t catch fire?).

These promotional advertorial videos are all about the Tongariro River.  Why?  The Taupo Council have not promoted fishing on the Tongariro for over 20 years.  Why?  Any promotion of the Tongariro would send tourist anglers away from Taupo – to Turangi.  So they have done little to promote Turangi..

Then there are also the Taupo Fishery Managers.  Their role is to promote the Taupo trout fishery but they also fail, despite their last 2013 review Executive Summary ref 7: “Improved licensing options, better communication and more effective marketing of fishing opportunities in the region were all identified as aspects needing improvement…. participation rates have steadily declined from a peak in the 1980’s, and most significantly there was a 20% drop in license sales over the past five years.”

So what have DOC (Department of Conservation are the Taupo Fishery managers) done about promoting the fishery?  Nothing…  Why?  Who knows…  So Tongariro River Motel (“TRM”) has to do it for them.  For this we enlisted the help of Hannah and Heather as independent interviewers (interrogators).

This is particularly aimed at West Island anglers.  Why?  Whenever they inquire through NZ’s tourist agencies – “where is the best fishing in NZ?” – they tell us they get referred to the South Island.  Why?  Government Tourist policy?  That is fine except if ‘catching trout’ is the primary reason for their holiday visit, then the South Island is not the best place.  Turangi and the Tongariro River is.

Then TRM had to devise the best way to communicate that to wannabe Kiwi anglers and particularly Australian anglers.  So we asked the visiting anglers for their opinions.  You might not believe us or tourist propaganda but you have to believe them.  This video and many others still to be shown are the result.  They are not particularly ‘professional’ presentations but they are honest.  Enjoy!

If you want to hear more then click on each Sunday for the last few months to listen to other inmates’ opinions.  You might be surprised at what they have to say…