Harnessing history to tell rich, authentic stories that captivate hearts and move minds.

Sharing our histories, the stories and memories of our diverse pasts, is fundamental to how we humans relate to each other and make meaning in the world.

At Arque Research, we help businesses, cultural organisations, and operators in the heritage sector understand and use their own histories to forge powerful connections with the people and places that matter most to them.

Are you looking to grow your heritage tourism or hospitality business but don’t know where to start? We’ll apply our unique blend of marketing experience and historical expertise to help you attract high-value visitors and powerfully differentiate from competitors.

Do you need to analyse historical evidence for Waitangi Tribunal, Takutai Moana or similar formal investigations and inquiries? We bring the knowledge and credentials to produce meticulous research reports grounded in rigorous, ethical scholarship.

Do you yearn for better staff and stakeholder engagement? We’ll unravel the tale of your company’s past to build a compelling culture that brings people along on the journey from the past to the future.

Arque Research is headed by Dr Amanda McVitty, an award-winning researcher, professional historian and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society who also has a 30-year background in journalism, marketing and communications.

What we do

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    Historical research

    We’re experts at finding, analysing and presenting historical evidence, then transforming it into narratives you can use through websites, events, reports, books and articles, exhibitions and more.

  • group generating ideas

    Heritage marketing consulting

    Globally, the heritage tourism industry is worth an incredible $950 billion a year. We’ll help your heritage tourism or hospitality business get a bigger slice of that pie.

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    Company histories

    We deliver beautifully told histories tailored to your objectives, whether that’s commemorating a significant anniversary, enhancing your brand storytelling, or informing strategic decision-making.

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    Grant writing and strategy

    Drawing on a successful track record with grants bodies, scholarly societies and philanthropic organisations, we work with you to craft credible and compelling funding applications.

What our customers say…

  • Dr McVitty brought her extensive experience of courts and legal proceedings into an intense research project, with complex and challenging historical issues and a tight and unmovable High Court deadline. Her work was highly professional, calmly undertaken and critical to the project's success.

    Professor Michael Belgrave, Director, History4Today

  • In a male-dominated industry, it can feel as though female distillers are not taken as seriously as they deserve. Learning women were the original distillers, and hearing some of their trials and tribulations, has bolstered our sense of pride in what we do. Working with Arque Research is great fun and we’re enjoying spreading that fun and some very cool history with our Mothers Ruined Tribe.

    Helen Gower, Co-Founder and Gin Genie, Mothers Ruined Gin

  • Amanda quickly built a trusted rapport with our clients, staff and leadership team, and captured their memories and accounts of our history with integrity. Being able to tell a compelling origin story is a point of difference when it comes to recruiting and retaining the best people, and it's become integral to our company culture.

    Neil Butler, Chair and Founder, Optimation Group

About our hero image

The main image on our website features the gardens at Le Clos Lucé, a small but perfectly formed château in France’s Loire Valley. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last few years of his life working and inventing here, under the patronage of King Francis I and his mother, Louise of Savoy. These diaphanous screen-printed copies of some of da Vinci’s most beloved paintings are strung throughout the gardens, where they create a beguiling atmosphere for strolling visitors. While we can claim no credit for the installation, we do find it an inspiring blend of beauty, education, visitor experience and heritage marketing.