Responsible Travel – Kaitiakitanga

Walk the land but leave no trace.

At Great Walks of New Zealand, a core Maori value is also one of our core values – 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.

Walking is an excellent way to reduce your impact when exploring our amazing landscapes however our commitment to operating sustainable travel experiences extend beyond offering a carbon friendly activity.

By following the Tiaki Promise, you too are making a commitment to New Zealand, to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

The Tiaki Promise:

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

We are committed to the values of Tiaki and today, in the face of a multitude of threats to the environment, our commitment is stronger than ever.

We aim to ensure that our destinations retain their natural character and cultural diversity for future generations.

This vision can only be achieved with the support of all our walkers and local partners.

As well as the Tiaki Promise, our own responsible tourism policy commits us to the following principles:

Our walks should be managed in a way where the natural and cultural values of the region are undiminished in the long term and where the lands and environments are protected and/or rehabilitated.

We believe that our walks should be as rewarding for the host community as they are for you the traveller. We aim to maximise the benefits of tourism for host communities. This includes employment of local staff, using local suppliers and assisting in the development of sustainable local businesses.

We actively minimise the negative effects that tourism can have by ensuring that tourism does not divert resources away from local communities or drive up prices on local resources.

We provide opportunities for cultural exchange, where locals and visitors alike can share and learn from each other in an environment of mutual respect.

Our walks are designed to allow all our travellers to enjoy nature as it should be enjoyed, with respect and without a trace.

Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa. Welcome to New Zealand.