Case Studies

Creating sustainable events: TRENZ 2019

Events can create a lot of waste but this year, New Zealand's biggest tourism and travel showcase was the most sustainable it's ever been.

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort lead the way for a Predator Free 2050

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort has taken initiative in creating a pest free environment, with the goal of creating a safe haven for native flora and fauna to thrive.

Queenstown's Sherwood Hotel ranked among world’s best for sustainability

Sherwood Queenstown has been ranked amongst the top 10 eco-friendly holiday destinations by Expedia - the only hotel in the Pacific region to make the list, ranked among large international locations in France, Canada, and Thailand.

Auckland supporters meeting

A group of Auckland operators who were early adopters of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment and have been strong supporters, both in taking action and inspiring others, got together recently to talk sustainability. Everyone involved found the meeting very useful and it will be interesting to see how it evolves. TIA is keen to support similar regional or sector groups to get started.

Fullers360 committed to commercial composting

Fullers360, Auckland's leading ferry operator, has launched a commercial composting programme across all its fleet of vessels and is educating staff and customers on what goes in each bin.

Green approach to thermal pool construction

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa has taken a unique approach to the construction of five new thermal pools to protect their much-loved Redwood trees, at an additional cost of more than $50,000.

Stories of Aroha from the heart of New Zealand

Destination Great Lake Taupō’s new international human-interest campaign ‘Aroha’ showcases real people and their stories with a goal of attracting new visitor markets to the region. Artists, community leaders and creatives come together to share their personal journeys, genuine aroha (love) and passion for Taupō.

EcoZip Adventures makes conservation easy

Waiheke adventure tourism operator EcoZip Adventures is dedicated to rebalancing the ecology of their forest site and is successfully encouraging visitors and corporate clients to get on board.

SKYCITY solves a 500-tonne food waste problem

SKYCITY Auckland has successfully tackled a huge food waste problem, diverting nearly 500 tonnes – the equivalent weight of 142 buses - from landfill to become compost for kiwifruit orchards and landscaping companies.

Investing in sustainability

Rafting New Zealand has entered into a joint venture with Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust of Ngāti Tūwharetoa which it says will allow it to more than double in size, give visitors the best and most authentic experience possible, and make a positive difference to the local environment and community.

The power of customer feedback

Enhancing the visitor experience

Car and campervan hire company JUCY Rentals has made a commitment to providing a phenomenal visitor experience through the power of customer feedback.

Planting trees & building weta motels

Working with visitors and a range of other partners and volunteers, Eco Wanaka Adventures has planted around 8000 trees on Mou Waho Island and is building 'weta motels' to to allow the endemic weta to survive.

Get staff moving

Museum travel plan

Auckland Museum’s Travel Plan is about encouraging staff to green commute, drive less often to work, try other modes of transport which will benefit their health and wellbeing and help create a sustainable museum fit for the future.

Christchurch Sea Kayaking

Cleaning up the Avon

Christchurch Sea Kayaking is dedicated to helping restore the Avon to its original beauty. Over the 2017/18 season, with the help of visitors, it collected around 35kg of rubbish from the river.

YHA New Zealand

Carbon neutral status a #NZMustDo

YHA values the carboNZeroCertTM scheme as another tool that helps to build a commitment to environmental sustainability into everything the organisation does.

R Tucker Thompson

Addressing seasonality

The R. Tucker Thompson had a mighty reputation, but the organisation was stuck in a rut. So they implemented a plan which has put it in a strong position as a sustainable tourism operator and a recognised social enterprise.

Haka Tourism Group

Ten years ago Ryan Sanders was motivated to start a tourism business to escape a dull corporate job. The business hasn't looked back, and is on track to turn over $17 million in the next 12 months.

Real Journeys

Providing authentic, remarkable tourism experiences in some of the country’s most difficult to access areas, Real Journeys has been enjoying strong growth over the past few years.This has inspired the family-owned business to increase its conservation work and focus efforts on ensuring the community benefits from the upturn in tourism.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds has transformed the visitor experience over the past couple of years which has boosted both revenue and visitor satisfaction.

Sudima Hotels & Resorts

Sudima Hotels & Resorts sets the bar high when it comes to protecting the environment because it’s good for business and good for New Zealand.