The troubled establishment of the Tourist Hotel Corporation of New Zealand

Abstract

Purpose By 1901, New Zealand had the first national government-controlled department of tourism in the world. This was the vehicle used to acquire and control tourism assets. In 1954, the hotel assets were consolidated as the Tourist Hotel Corporation of New Zealand (THC). Whilst hotel consolidation was not unique in the world, comparatively little has been written about the establishment of the THC. The following contributes to this ongoing history. Design/methodology/approach The research used relevant archival records held within the Archives New Zealand. Altogether 195 files were accessed. Information was analyzed and sorted into themes. The following involves one of those themes, conflict. Findings The establishment of the THC was the result of corporatist ideology based around the need to preserve the importance of tourism to New Zealand. The legislative requirements relating to the management and governance of the THC led to conflict between the THC CEO and the government. Such conflict has been placed within an institutional context. This conflict may have “got in the way” of effective running of the THC. Research limitations/implications There is a large volume of data still to be analyzed. Subsequent work on the later years, and demise of the THC could add further context to the overall history of the THC. The extent to which institutionalism was at the root of conflict between the management of the THC and the controlling government department are explored. Originality/value Very little has been written about the establishment of the THC. The following contributes to the discussion on the establishment and problems that emerged in the early management of the THC.