Go on a Sustainable New Zealand Holiday

Aotearoa is renowned as green, clean New Zealand and the best way to experience the purity is on a sustainable New Zealand holiday. Travelling green is really easy in New Zealand because Kiwis strive to protect their precious environment and put huge efforts into conservation.

Eco-tourism is blossoming all over the country and so you can reduce your carbon footprint pretty much anywhere you go in New Zealand. The great thing is that you don’t have to forego indulgence and luxury on a sustainable New Zealand vacation; you simply have to choose eco-friendly options.

New Zealand eco-tourism operators have you covered, no matter what your travel style. If you’re after a full green group tour that takes care of everything from your itinerary and accommodation to sightseeing and activities, book with an eco-friendly tour operator. If you prefer to travel more independently, you can book sustainable individual one-day-tour expeditions, ranging from spiritual tours, island, and food and wine tours to reef ecology tours.

If you are taking all the planning into your own hands, it’s handy to have some pointers for sustainable options. When booking New Zealand accommodation, for example, you could look into WWOOFing. Willing Workers on Organic Farms provide free accommodation in exchange for help on the (sustainable) farm. Don’t worry if you’re more of a city dweller. Environmentally friendly accommodation exists in all forms. Just look out for the Qualmark Enviro Awards. Any accommodation provider who has been awarded an Enviro Bronze, Silver or Gold Award is recognised for their efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, waste management and conservation initiatives. The same holds true for activity and transport operators who have been awarded a Qualmark Enviro.

But with regards to transport and activities you can go even greener. When travelling across New Zealand, make use of the extensive and cost-effective public transport system or get your travel mates together and participate in car-sharing. The best option for the environment (and your fitness!) is of course to leave the car behind and give hiking and cycling a go. Some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes (such as protected national parks and reserves) are best explored on foot or by bike. In fact, some travellers cycle or hike the entire country! The brand-new New Zealand Cycle Trail offers stunning cycle adventures all over New Zealand, while the Te Araroa Long Pathway is a hiking trail from the tip of the North Island right down to the deepest South Island. Another eco-friendly (and so romantic!) option is travelling on horseback with a horse trekking tour.

When it comes to activities, you could easily make some green choices: how about choosing hot air ballooning or kayaking/canoeing on tranquil rivers? In New Zealand you can even get a green adrenaline rush: Ziptrek Ecotours, for example, feature an exhilarating flying fox adventure coupled with eco talks. Wildlife encounters are an authentic Kiwi experience that’s great with regards to eco-tourism. New Zealand is on the forefront of conservation efforts and visits to wildlife parks and conservation projects such as ZEALANDIA in Wellington not only give you a great insight, but also let you actively support the projects. Get up-close with the national icon, the kiwi at a breeding facility such as Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Encounter in Rotorua. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has a wealth of information. Another hugely popular option is hiring a Maori guide. Maori have a close relationship with their environment and can show you the world through their eyes on guided walks.

After choosing green accommodation, transport and activities you can still take green travelling a step further. When eating out, for example, you can choose green eateries. Better still: browse farmers’ markets for locally grown, seasonal produce.

And as promised before: if you’re after a luxurious New Zealand holiday you don’t have to forego anything. Many luxury lodges and high-end activity operators carry a Qualmark Enviro Award, celebrity chefs in deluxe restaurants cook with fresh, local produce and you’ll find a range of gorgeous sustainable designer fashion. You can even indulge guilt-free in spa treatments and R&R. Some New Zealand day spas exclusively use organic products for their treatments, while New Zealand’s luscious geothermal hot pools are, of course, heated by nature itself!

So if you’re planning your next New Zealand holiday, remember to give nature a break and travel the green, clean, typically New Zealand way!