Cecil Potatau: Leading the All Blacks Experience and a 30-Year Tourism Career
Episode Summary
In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen Bold speaks with Cecil Potatau about what a 30-year career in the New Zealand tourism industry actually looks like.
Cecil shares how he moved from working as a chef into tourism, the experiences that shaped his career, and what he’s learned along the way about building relationships, staying curious, and finding opportunities in the industry. We also talk about his current role leading the All Blacks Experience in Auckland, one of New Zealand’s most unique visitor attractions.
This conversation offers a practical look at how tourism careers evolve over time, the importance of networking in the industry, and why experience often matters just as much as qualifications when building a career in tourism.
What you'll take away from this episode
• Why relationships and networking play such an important role in tourism careers
• How tourism careers often evolve in unexpected ways over time
• The balance between formal qualifications and hands-on experience in the industry
• What it’s like working behind the scenes of a major tourism attraction like the All Blacks Experience
• Practical advice for people who are considering a career in the tourism industry
About Cecil
Cecil Potatau has spent more than three decades working across the tourism industry in New Zealand. He currently leads the All Blacks Experience in Auckland, an immersive visitor attraction celebrating the legacy and cultural impact of New Zealand rugby.
Throughout his career Cecil has worked across tourism attractions and organisations, building extensive experience in partnerships, sales, and visitor experience development.
Connect with Cecil
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecil-potatau/
Organisations and experiences mentioned
Ngāi Tahu Tourism
https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/
All Blacks Experience
https://www.allblacksexperience.com/
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
https://www.visitsealife.com/auckland/
Tourism Holdings Limited (THL)
https://www.thlonline.com/
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
https://www.wetaworkshop.com/tours/auckland