Sustainability

New Zealand’s unspoiled landscapes and fantastic wildlife are an immense source of pride for locals. It’s no surprise then that our government and tourism industry are working to protect the environment, communities, culture and tourism experiences so many people come to visit. 

From investment in renewable energy and green technology, to funding for companies offering electric campervans and rental vehicles, meaningful action is underway to ensure tourism is managed in a sustainable way.

By inviting visitors to protect and preserve New Zealand for future generations – The Tiaki Promise is a initiative by Tourism New Zealand in collaboration with six other New Zealand organisations. Tiaki means to care for people and place. Visitors and delegates are encouraged to follow its guiding principles and join us in being guardians of our beautiful country.
 

Go Green in New Zealand - Sustainability Toolkit

Download our toolkit 'Go Green in New Zealand' and discover simple tips and considerations to help run your event in New Zealand more sustainably.

 

Sustainability in action 

Business events have a vital role to play ensuring that conferences and incentives are planned and managed with sustainability top of mind. By bringing your event to New Zealand, we encourange you to embrace our nations eco-initiaves and incorporate them into your programme, check out some of the key players below:

Air New Zealand

New Zealand’s national airline, Air New Zealand, is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has recently been recognised for saving more than 17,000 tonnes of carbon by plugging aircraft into electric ground power while they sit at the gate.
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It has thrown its support behind the Department of Conservation by investing in biodiversity projects on New Zealand's Great Walks, supporting marine science research and providing flights for threatened species. The airline is also taking steps to minimise in-flight waste and reduce electricity consumption, including by operating a large renewably powered electric ground fleet.

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Trees That Count

Project Crimson is a conservation charity that runs a hands-on green project called ‘Trees That Count’. The project challenges people to plant as many native trees as possible and record their efforts on the project’s website.
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Participants have planted more than 31 million trees since 2016, removing approximately 3.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It’s easy for businesses or associations to get involved by gifting or funding native trees to create impact on a larger scale.

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For the Better Good

Wouldn’t it be great if the bottles you bought your bottled water in were compostable? For the Better Good has made that possible by producing bottles made from plant materials instead of non-renewables.
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The bottles, which are increasingly popular among accommodation providers, help to reduce both waste and the carbon footprint of bottle production. For the Better Good also manages the composting of the bottles, through convenient collection points across the country, ensuring they don’t end up in landfills or the ocean.

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Camp Glenorchy

Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat was named one of the world’s 100 greatest places to visit in 2019 by TIME Magazine. The net-positive retreat generates 105% of its energy needs each year – more energy than it uses.
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The retreat also uses 50% less energy and water than similar facilities.Other impressive sustainability efforts include using solar panels for all electricity requirements, capturing and treating rainfall for its water needs, and donating all profits to the Glenorchy Community Trust to benefit the local community.

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New Zealand International Convention Centre

The New Zealand International Convention Centre being built in Auckland has pledged to become Asia Pacific’s first carbon-neutral conference venue when it opens. This commitment will be met by introducing an internal carbon levy on all emissions.
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Money raised through the levy will go into a green fund to invest in projects that help reduce emissions. The venue has also adopted a sustainability management plan and will participate in globally recognised, independent verification programmes, including the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s Green Building Rating System.

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Rotorua Canopy Tours

Rotorua Canopy Tours uses ziplines and swing bridges to take guests on an eco-adventure through the canopy of a 1000-year-old native forest. Their pest trapping work has brought birdsong back to the 250-hectare forest.
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A portion of every participant’s ticket fee goes directly to the trapping programme, ensuring guests are part of the conservation journey. These efforts have been recognised through New Zealand Tourism Awards for Environmental Tourism, Visitor Experience and Supreme awards.

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Nomad Safaris Eco Experience

Queenstown’s Nomad Safaris is about more than touring. Staff are trained in eco-friendly driving techniques that minimise fuel consumption and the impact the vehicles have on the local environment.
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The company also organises rubbish clean-up days and is a founding member of the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust. They also run volunteer and CSR days, popular with incentive travellers, where participants can get involved in local conservation efforts by culling wilding pines, an invasive exotic species. 

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ID New Zealand

Leading destination management company ID New Zealand ensures sustainability is on the itinerary during its high-quality experiences for visitors. It is the first company in both New Zealand and the Pacific region to be Travelife Certified for its ongoing commitment to sustainability in the travel and tourism industry.
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The company has been audited and certified for its sustainable practices in: Environment & Community, Accommodation, Transportation, Excursions, Customer Communication, Legal Compliance, and Human Rights.

ID New Zealand’s long-term sustainability policy aims to minimise the negative effects and maximise the positive impacts of its activity on the natural and social environment.

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