New Zealand has a long-established reputation for being "clean and green," and Tourism New Zealand's 100% Pure New Zealand brand campaign has reinforced that. It goes without saying that tourism in this country is largely shaped by the uniqueness of our environment and culture, and as the major contributor to the nation's economy, it is vital that all New Zealanders have a genuine desire to ensure its future.
No surprise, then, that ecotourism is now the fastest growing sector of New Zealand's tourism industry. Everyone is jumping on the sustainable tourism bandwagon, and while most are driven by genuine altruistic motives, the cynic in me suspects many are becoming "green-rated" as a marketing ploy, without backing up their claims of being ecofriendly with anything beyond tokenism.
In light of the worldwide focus on sustainability issues, it is apt that New Zealand takes a second look at itself. Despite all those "clean and green" claims, the country has long been a poor performer in industrial and agricultural waste management and recycling. That is changing fast. Farmers are developing cutting-edge technology to improve dairy farm effluent management; industries are being forced to comply with new waste management regulations aimed to help clean up our waterways; and businesses across-the-board are taking a lively approach to pest and weed control, reforestation, and the restoration of prime ecological environments. Tourism operators and organizations are also working much more closely with central and local governments to address concerns about waste disposal associated with campers and motor homes, and tourists' accessibility to local recycling programs. In short, there has been a groundswell of interest in sustainability measures, and there is now an expectation that business operators will put their best foot forward -- especially in the tourism arena.
Leading the charge is Tourism New Zealand, with its unique approach to sustainability based on the traditional Maori principles of manaakitanga (hospitality) andkaitiakitanga (guardianship) - welcoming visitors while protecting and managing our culture and environment. Its Tourism Strategy 2015 is based on a whole New Zealand approach that will see increasing numbers of sustainability initiatives put into action over the coming few years. This includes initiatives like the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, which aims to encourage all sectors of the economy, including tourism, to find smart, efficient ways to cut back their emissions. A transport strategy will focus on creating a sustainable transport network throughout the country.
Already in place is the Qualmark Responsible Tourism Operations program, a partnership between Tourism New Zealand and the New Zealand Automobile Association. While the system does have its detractors (with negativity focused on the nature of its rating system), it has gone some way toward tidying up New Zealand's accommodations sector. In terms of sustainability and ecotourism, it must be said that some rating system is better than no rating system. You'll now find many tourism providers boasting about having a Qualmark Enviro-Gold, -Silver, or -Bronze rating - so many, in fact, that it's hard not to suspect some of the motives behind this huge rush to sign on. Businesses performing at the top level of this rating system, though, will be energy efficient and will have active waste management and water conservation practices, and will be taking part in conservation initiatives and community activities. It is largely thanks to this integrated quality and environmental tourism performance assurance system - the first of its kind in the world - that New Zealand was voted Overall Winner and Best Destination in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards in London in 2008. The judges recognized Qualmark Green as one of New Zealand's most important achievements in responsible tourism.
New Zealand's Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Project is another worthy of attention. Jointly run by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Tourism, it established six regional tourism charters committed to the sustainable practices laid down in Tourism New Zealand's sustainable strategy. Enterprise Northland, Destination Rotorua, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Latitude Nelson, Lake Wanaka Tourism, and Venture Southland/Destination Fiordland all work toward improving the environmental performance of participating tourism operators. You can find all members signed up to these charters by asking at the appropriate regional visitor centers.
Increasing numbers of New Zealand businesses are also becoming Green Globe Benchmarked or Green Globe Certified. Green Globe is based on Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action regarding sustainable development endorsed at the United Nations Earth Summit in 1992. There are currently Green Globe participants in more than 50 countries around the world. A tourism operation can only use a Green Globe logo once it has been measured to be above the benchmarking base-line performance level. The Green Globe website (www.greenglobeint.com) lists New Zealand operations affiliated with the program.
Recycling generally has taken on a new impetus in New Zealand in the last 2 years. Every major city's rubbish collection program now has separate bins for paper and recyclable goods, organic waste and nonrecyclable matter; and national parks and public areas are well-equipped with rubbish bins. Recycling within hotels (for guests) is much less common. Many hotels have instituted sustainable practices but that doesn't usually extend to providing recycling bins within guest rooms. I suspect that will change as pressure on the environment continues. I've provided a separate box listing a number of accommodations and tourism providers that I think are approaching the matter of sustainability with commitment and integrity.
While sustainable tourism operations and community initiatives are increasingly common in New Zealand, there are very few restaurants totally committed to organic menus. That said, increasing numbers of chefs are sourcing organic meats and other ingredients to include in their menus. Organic produce is much more widely available in New Zealand now, but it is still more highly priced - sometimes ridiculously so. Even the huge groundswell of farmers' markets throughout the country has done little to lower the price of genuine organic produce. So if you order organic, expect to pay more.
One of the most exciting aspects of sustainability in New Zealand has been the huge growth in volunteer projects with a sustainability focus. In short, there are numerous opportunities to sign on for replanting programs, track and walkway building projects, native bird-breeding programs, pest trapping in national parks, working on organic farms, and more. This is an excellent way to give your holiday a meaningful edge that will be rewarding for both yourself and New Zealand's unique environment.
You can help even more by flying here with our national airline, Air New Zealand. Not only did they carry out the world's first commercial aviation test flight using a sustainable second-generation biofuel derived from the plant Jatropha curcas, they also have an active carbon offset program, which allows customers to make a donation to the Air New Zealand Environment Trust.
Some Sustainable Properties in New Zealand
Following is a selection of properties that have either attained Green Globe benchmarking, a Qualmark Enviro rating, or both. Throughout the guide I have also noted the properties and tourism operators who have a commitment to sustainable practices.
Auckland
Bethells Beach Cottages
Braemar on Parliament Street
The Great Ponsonby Arthotel
Langham Hotel Auckland
SKYCITY Grand Hotel
Northland & Coromandel
Base Pipi Patch
Carrington Resort
Colleith Lodge
Villa Toscana
Waikato & Bay of Plenty
Kamahi Cottage
Novotel Tainui
Ridge Country Retreat
Rotorua & Tongariro National Park
Bayview Chateau Tongariro
Maruata Rotorua
Peppers on the Point
Treetops Lodge & Estate
Gisborne & Hawke's Bay
The County Hotel
Knapdale Eco Lodge
Wanganui
The Flying Fox
Wellington
Bolton Hotel
InterContinental Wellington
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Mount Victoria Homestay
Ohtel
Nelson
Abel Tasman Lodge
Abel Tasman Ocean View Chalets
Awaroa Lodge
Shelbourne Villa
39 Russell
Christchurch & Canterbury
The Classic Villa
The Marque Christchurch
Wilderness Lodge
The Worcester of Christchurch
West Coast
Breakers Boutique Accommodation
Chelsea Gateway Motor Lodge
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Wanaka
Edgewater Resort
Lime Tree Lodge
Maple Lodge
Wanaka Springs
Whare Kea Lodge
Mount Cook
Hermitage Hotel
Queenstown
The Heritage
Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park Creeksyde
The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Remarkables Lodge
Fiordland & Southland
Fiordland Lodge
The Lodge at Tikana
Stewart Island
Stewart Island Lodge
Dunedin
Nisbet Cottage
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
