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Globally the demand for community focused travel continues to grow and much more emphasis is placed on minimising impact to our environments when travelling.
Travel is re-inventing and traveller’s mindsets are on not only exploring remote regions, but more and more are wanting to do it with as small a footprint on the world as possible.
There are a number of ways that you can support local community projects and protect the important environments around New Zealand during your walking trip.
Here are three projects you can get involved with during your time on the New Zealand trails.
1. Project Janszoon
Named after explorer Abel “Janzsoon” Tasman, Project Janzsoon is all about restoring and preserving Abel Tasman’s rich wildlife for future generations to enjoy. A privately funded trust, the team effort involves conservationists, iwi, locals, scientists, tourism operators and volunteers and is aimed at reversing the ecological decline in the park.
The idea is to rid the park of pests and weeds, bringing back native birds and bush. It aims to restore, secure and future proof the ecology of the park by 2042 – the 100th Anniversary of the park’s opening.
2. Trees for Travellers
Trees for Travellers is a unique project managed by IWK (Innovative Waste Kaikoura Ltd). Kaikoura is a beautiful part of New Zealand and the project aims to increase biodiversity in Kaikoura by encouraging people to buy and plant a tree. The trees are planted on reserves in and around Kaikoura and aim to return trees and bird life whilst offsetting greenhouse gas emissions created whilst travelling New Zealand.
The team will plant your tree for you and send you a GPS location so you can find your sponsored tree on your future travels.
Our
Kaikoura Coastal Hike includes a $20.00 donation to Trees for Travellers and the purchase of your tree.
3. The Tiaki Promise
All of our Great Walks of New Zealand support the core Maori value of Kaitiakitanga (Tiaki). Tiaki exercises guardianship in relation to nature, flora and fauna and its people, ensuring that sustainability and environment are valued, respected and protected for future generations to enjoy.
By following the Tiaki Promise, you too are making a commitment to New Zealand, to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.
We ask that you do the following out on your walk:
- Care for land, sea and nature, treading lightly and leaving no trace
- Travel safely, showing care and consideration for all
- Respect culture, travelling with an open heart and mind