Eco Tourism

Green, clean New Zealand – it’s a cliché for a reason and in New Zealand the environment has always been at the forefront of the visitor experience. After all, many New Zealand travellers choose to come here precisely for the stunning, unspoilt landscapes and unique New Zealand wildlife.

Eco tourism is gaining popularity all over the world and New Zealand certainly knows how to cater for eco-conscious travellers who want to reduce their carbon footprints. There is a big selection of eco tours available which cover everything from New Zealand wildlife encounters and eco-friendly boat cruises to spiritual tours and guided walks.

Whichever activity you’re interested in, you can choose eco-friendly options. Just look out for the Enviro Qualmark, a logo awarded to green New Zealand operators who do their utmost to ensure energy efficiency and other conservation initiatives. 

Qualmark Enviro

Apart from environmentally friendly activities, New Zealand also has a range of green accommodation options on hand. And in NZ it’s really easy to find them. Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s official mark of quality, has introduced the Enviro mark to help you pick eco-friendly accommodation and operators. Any property or NZ organisation that has been awarded the Enviro Bronze, Enviro Silver or Enviro Gold is doing its best in areas such as energy efficiency, conservation initiatives and waste management.

Conservation Efforts

New Zealand is home to many animals which are endemic to these shores. Species have thrived in seclusion for thousands of years, but nowadays many New Zealand birds and other animals are endangered, mostly due to introduced pests such as rats and stoats. Conservation workers are working around the clock to bring wildlife such as New Zealand’s national symbol, the kiwi, back from the brink of extinction. The great thing is that visitors to NZ can get a glimpse into their work. Under the umbrella of eco tourism you can visit kiwi houses and breeding facilities like Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua or Christchurch’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, or predator-free sanctuaries such as Kapiti Island and Wellington’s ZEALANDIA.

Willing Workers on Organic Farms

Choosing eco tours and environmentally friendly accommodation is brilliant, but you can take it even further. In New Zealand you have the opportunity to live on a real Kiwi farm! Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) gives you the chance to learn sustainable practices and skills while experiencing an authentic New Zealand lifestyle. Live with a New Zealand family that has made the leap into green-dom and learn about companion planting, composting, worm farming, preserving and more. With a WWOOF New Zealand holiday you won’t leave any carbon footprints!