Who we are

Led by lived experience.

Adapting Aotearoa is backed by Tourism New Zealand and Regional Tourism Partners — founded on the belief that great visitor experiences begin with great information.

Leadership
Jezza Williams
Founder & CEO, Adapting Aotearoa · CEO, MakingTrax Foundation

Adapting Aotearoa is the initiative of Jezza Williams — Aotearoa's leading expert in Inclusive and Accessible Tourism. As CEO of the MakingTrax Foundation, Jezza brings over 30 years of experience in the adventure and tourism industry, with more than 15 years devoted to accessible tourism.

Living with a disability himself, Jezza has become a trusted advisor and the original consultant guiding businesses across Aotearoa and beyond toward genuine inclusion. His leadership is grounded not in theory, but in real understanding of what accessibility means — from the visitor navigating barriers to the business creating inclusive experiences.

With Jezza's leadership and a dedicated team, Adapting Aotearoa is driving the tourism industry toward a future where accessibility inspires innovation, inclusion, and success.

What makes us different
The combination of lived experience and research-backed expertise.
At the heart of Adapting Aotearoa is a simple belief: great visitor experiences begin with great information. By prioritising transparency, we empower visitors with the freedom to make informed choices and businesses with the tools to confidently welcome all.

Our work is supported by leading researchers, ensuring everything we deliver is practical, evidence-based, and grounded in best practice. Together, we're reshaping tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand so that every visitor can participate fully — and every business can thrive by welcoming everyone.
Our shared commitment
Your commitment
  • Create an Access Guide that truthfully represents your experience
  • Value the access market through the lens of reality and lived experience
  • Act with authenticity and meaning in access, inclusion, and development
Our commitment
  • Expert guidance from leaders with lived experience
  • Training and tools that build knowledge and capability
  • Consistent Access Guide templates and yearly reviews
  • A national framework backed by Tourism NZ and Regional Partners
  • Best practice, quality assurance, and marketing support
The shared goal
Together we are building a consistent, trusted, and world-class network of Access Guides — welcoming people, raising industry standards, and transforming Aotearoa into the accessible adventure capital of the world.
MakingTrax Foundation
Adapting Aotearoa is proudly backed by the MakingTrax Foundation — a world-class organisation dedicated to adaptive adventure and inclusive tourism. The Foundation provides specialist advisory, endorsement, and global reach through adaptive travel networks.
Visit MakingTrax Foundation →

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Ready to start the conversation?
If you're a tourism operator wanting to lead on accessibility — or a destination wondering where to begin — we'd love to hear from you.
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