Take a look around
Cate and Riwai Grace have travelled the world but have a deep-rooted love for Ōtautahi Christchurch. Through their company, Āmiki Tours, they lead tourists on captivating city walking tours, offering everything from foodie adventures to educational experiences.
Photos by Neil Macbeth
Cate and Riwai Grace have travelled the world but have a deep-rooted love for Ōtautahi Christchurch. Through their company, Āmiki Tours, they lead tourists on captivating city walking tours, offering everything from foodie adventures to educational experiences.
The idea for Āmiki Tours was sparked by encounters with lost visitors who were struggling to navigate the ever-changing, landmark-lacking streets of Ōtautahi Christchurch. Determined to be “active citizens” and make a difference, Cate and Riwai wanted to tell the stories of the resilient, risk-taking businesses that have changed the city for the better while imparting manaakitanga (hospitality).
Their enthusiasm is infectious, and nothing excites them more than introducing visitors to the reborn city.
“Once we decided to put our stake in the ground in Ōtautahi Christchurch, we committed to being active citizens and advocates for it.”
The Āmiki team has now grown to eight, and Cate and Riwai are always on the lookout for new places to take their guests. Their research is unconventional yet effective – discovering new spots during their own date nights and uncovering the stories behind them. “We take people to places we love, and our repertoire is constantly expanding,” they say.
It’s these stories that make Ōtautahi Christchurch unique, according to Cate and Riwai, and something everyone should take pride in. In fact, that’s what the word āmiki means: deep storytelling.
“It’s all about finding that whakapapa and connection. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a person, place, or space,” Cate says.
They use the example of the Kate Sheppard memorial.
“Some locals will definitely walk past and go, ‘That’s Kate Sheppard; she’s on the $10 note,’ but if you can stand at Kate Sheppard, you’ll be told about the wāhine Māori that she worked with and what she did to get seats in Parliament… it’s all about taking a deeper look. That goes for food, culture, and history.”
Āmiki offers six distinct experiences that showcase the vibrant culture and culinary delights of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
The Ōtautahi Cultural Walk, a 75-minute city tour, reveals the cultural treasures hidden in plain sight, highlighting how local Māori culture is reflected in the city’s rebuild. The City Meander is a two-hour guided journey through laneways, gardens, and historic landmarks, where participants discover the evolving city and its culinary delights.
For tourists led by their taste buds, Kai Bites is filled with artisan tastings and lunch. Āmiki Tours’ most popular tour is the Kai Safari, a progressive dinner that showcases the inner city’s vibrant night hot spots, with Cate, Riwai, and their team leading people to the city’s best restaurants. Ngā Hari o te Pō takes it up a notch with paired liquid delights, offering an elevated version of the Kai Safari. Bespoke & Education tours offer tailored experiences, from exclusive VIP dinners to corporate events.
A key aspect of Cate and Riwai’s approach is allowing people to slow down and connect with te ao Māori. “Often, people don’t get the chance to take a moment when travelling. It’s usually go, go, go,” Riwai says. “I make sure we all take a moment to focus on our breathing, our wellbeing, our wairua. It’s often quite an emotional experience when I get people to ground themselves.”
It isn’t just for international tourists either. Cate and Riwai welcome anyone wanting to reconnect with the heart and soul of our reborn city. For locals not sure where to start, Cate says, “Leave your comfort zone, make your way to a new part of the central city, and take a look around.”