New Zealand has a well-earned reputation world-wide, of being the country with a Clean, Green Image. This has not happened by chance and we owe this environmental image to those who have worked hard to establish and promote this asset. It is now our turn and we sincerely believe, and are proactive in maintaining and improving the protection of our beautiful New Zealand for our children & Mokopuna (grandchildren)
New Zealand’s Ministry of Environment has an overarching goal to make New Zealand – Aotearoa – the most liveable place in the world. To achieve this, they have devised a 4 year plan – click here to view. NZ Four Year plan
Zealandier Tours chooses to partner with the ministries vision and be proactive in maintaining and improving the protection of our Beautiful New Zealand.
Below are the areas identified where we can make a difference
Zealandier Tours major resource is fuel. We monitor and report on our fuel usage and consumption. This is achieved through measuring kilometers travelled versus fuel consumption as found in each drivers’ logbook.
We have opted to run higher horse-power passenger service vehicles as research has suggested that a powerful engine working at part throttle is more efficient than a lower horse-power engine working at full throttle.
We have more recently opted to run larger capacity vehicles as it is more kind on the environment to run 1 x 20 seat vehicle then 2 x 10 seaters.
Zealandier Tours other major resources are as follows
Zealandier Tours supports the wise use of water, such as using the local purpose-built car wash for the washing of the vehicles when possible as they have corrected recycling system set up along with correct environmentally friendly products administered at correct quantities. When this is not appropriate and we are required to wash these at home we have water and product efficient equipment which continues to help with further water reduction.
We use dual flush toilets, spring loaded taps, check and repair for any leaking taps, and are on metered water usage. We advocate the use of a ‘full load’ machine washing for dishes & clothes, and use front loader machines, which are water-use effective.
Zealandier Tours choses to use paper manufactured from environmentally responsible forests. We further reduce paper use by double siding and encouraging people to not print their tour vouchers but to save on any electronic device they may be carrying with them on the day of their tour. We print only that which we need for legal requirements, and complete what activity we can either online or through direct phone contact. We print our own material/brochures on an as-need basis as opposed to bulk printing and throwing out that which is not used when they become outdated.
We opt to use recycled/refilled printer ink cartridges: these have proved very satisfactory and cost effective.
Zealandier Tours employs selective waste disposal to ensure that all material is graded and disposed of through the appropriate channels established. We have a plastics, paper, general waste, and glass bin to facilitate this.
Zealandier Tours introduces, explains, and promotes to their customers the importance and value we place on our environment. We take our guests to cafes or restaurants where they use re-usable crockery and cutlery instead of throw-away plates, we stress the importance of remaining on the designated tracks when we are guiding them through our native land, and to not pick or damage our flora or fauna in any way.
Zealandier Tours provides a smoke-free environment, keeping our air as clean as possible, and as pleasant as possible for our groups as an entirety. We ensure there is no rubbish left behind, with our guides picking this up if required.
Zealandier Tours owns several vehicles which have differing capacities & purposes. They are all fit for purpose of providing a great days touring. These vehicles are extremely well maintained and presented. Due to tourism being predominantly a seasonal business and as we are not directly involved as a transport company we tend to hire or lease vehicles short term over the peak times. These lease vehicles are very late model and extremely safe and environmentally friendly. We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic favorable company to partner with in this regard. Vehicles can be looked upon as assets and or liabilities – when they become a liability is time to get a new one.
Zealandier Tours views all environmental facets as important, and protection of our lush Native Flora and Fauna rates particularly high on our agenda. With our interest and involvement with tourism this is very important, and we take every reasonable step to preserve this heritage. We highly value the work that DOC undertakes and contribute to this work where possible.
Zealandier Tours has been involved with “Trees for Survival” – this particular initiative involves a local school with a Growing Unit for plants that will be used for protection of the Sand Dunes in our area.
Zealandier Tours is now following the progress of Coast Care restoration program facilitated by Prue Sisam in the Bay of Plenty.
Zealandier Tours are currently involved with Otorohanga Kiwi House – Adopt a Critter program which supplies special care needed for breeding programs and conservation
Zealandier Tours is currently involved with Sanctuary Mountain – Maungatautari. As an ongoing financial supporter, we are called their Kaitiaki (Guardians) As donors we have become part of Te Manawa o Maungatautari – the Heart of Maungatautari. We are helping to protect this precious eco-system for the future.
Zealandier Tours partners and supports New Zealand Forest and Bird association – which protects our native plants, animals & wild places.
We have staff that are involved in their local area Landcare Groups, simultaneously planting natives along designated hiking tracks to provide ground stability, shelter, and shade.
Zealandier Tours in the above examples can be seen to be taking a guardianship or ownership, and protection of not only their local area but also that which pertains to all of New Zealand. We do not turn a blind-eye to others ‘trespassing’ this quality, be that the destruction of plantations, pollution of water ways, or upsetting wildlife. We nurture what we have for the generations to follow.
Zealandier Tours promotes awareness of New Zealand’s history and cultural context through the narrative that is provided throughout our tours, and the locations and attractions that we utilize. For example, a number of our tours include, if not central to, one of our cultural experience attractions, be that of Whakarewarewa Living Village, or Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre and traditional Arts & Crafts Institute. We travel the journey and tell the story of one of the original Waka – Arawa – on its journey from Bay of Plenty to Rotorua.
Zealandier Tours caters for a variety of cultures and cultural needs, as well as special interest groups such as the Church. We have on call Spanish & German speaking guides if the groups are pre- booked in advance. I have the ability to acquire a Chinese speaking interpreter.
We are able to provide hassle-free special dietary requirements that may come with various beliefs, prayer times to be adhered to if necessary, and walking cautiously around the issues of political talk.
Zealandier Tours inspires a sense of welcoming, friendliness, and respect, in word and action to their guests. This is demonstrated in the way we first connect with our prospective customers through email communication, through to greeting them on the morning of their tour, and throughout the time we have with them. We regularly receive feedback in regard to how friendly and hospitable, helpful and welcoming, our staff and guides are, which often leads to referrals for further business.