Below is the text of a letter I'm couriering to the CEO of Tourism Holdings today to ask that The Big Apple be looked after.

Mr. Grant Webster

Chief Executive Officer

Tourism Holdings Limited

The Beach House

Level 1, 83 Beach Road

Auckland 1010

By courier                                                         27 August, 2024

Dear Mr. Webster:

During August I made a decision to try to help Waitomo’s much loved Big Apple landmark at Waitomo Homestead. I’d been driving by along State Highway 3 for weeks, noticing how much it had been neglected. It’s rusty, mouldy, and covered with graffiti.

What could one individual do to try to get the Big Apple refreshed and looked after? When I returned home that day I contacted Tourism Holdings via the “contact us” page on your corporate website to make you aware of what is an outstanding, quite obvious maintenance issue at one of your tourism properties. In fact, at Waitomo Homestead, the gateway to your other tourism ventures at Waitomo Caves. The website page states “we will be delighted to hear from you.”  I have received no reply to my message.

I waited to give the company time.  I know large companies take time to communicate and make decisions. Still no response. So I decided to start a public petition on www.change.org It is entitled “Help Waitomo’s iconic Big Apple landmark!” The petition, which as of yesterday afternoon had been signed by at least 150 people, can be found here https://chng.it/TJLJWpTgyF .  I also contacted our local community newspaper, The King Country News, and Stuff/Waikato Times since this is a good local community issue for them to cover. 

It seems many people driving by have noticed what I noticed. And if they hadn’t, they do now.

I know that you have been Co-Chair of the government’s Tourism Futures Taskforce. While big picture strategic issues are clearly important for the tourism industry, little things matter too, including looking after the Big Apple. 

I look forward to hearing back from you so I am able to provide feedback to the petition supporters and our wider community. 

It needs to be said that your company is the Kaitiaki of this taonga.

Sincerely, Karen Barrett