We understand tourism is an important part of the national economy and provides a major source of income for many living in the top of the South Island. It is also understood that the nature of tourism operations in the Abel Tasman constitute a threat to the environment and possibly, to the economy of the region. We will continue to work towards avoiding and or mitigating any negative effects daily operations may have on the environment by our commitment to:
- Minimizing direct impacts on the environment by monitoring our operations and continuing to be proactively involved in projects to protect and restore the biodiversity of the area.
- Working with employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers, the local community and any other interested parties to identify their needs and support them in our commitment to the environment.
- Creating an understanding and responsibility to, minimize our daily impacts on the local environment.
- Identifying both short and long term effects of operations, and in response, reduce any negative effects to a minimum.
In order to achieve the above objectives, we:
- Work to gain employees commitment to the positive aspects of sustainable tourism and their awareness of the importance and benefits of minimizing negative effects on the environment.
- Promote our commitment through the use of local and sustainable product supply.
- Comply with the goals and objectives set by the Nelson Sustainable Tourism Charter & Qualmark
- Continue to review current business practices, identify areas of improvement and create plans to meet our commitments towards a more sustainable future for tourism in the Abel Tasman.
Green Globe – An environmental management framework to reduce our impact. Submitted figures for Benchmarking (Bronze) status. Working over the next year to Certification (Silver) status.
Membership of Nelson Tasman Sustainable Charter.
Qualmark – Applied for an enviro Silver awaiting confirmation of mark. This means we have met minimum requirements in this area, and gone a little extra and are actively participating in energy efficiency; conservation initiatives; waste management & community activities.
Monthly monitoring: fuel/electricity/land fill and recycling – we are always looking at ways of reducing our uses of resources.
Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust - Proud financial supporters - 10c per person each time you cross the park's foreshore. Aim of the trust: The forests and beaches of Abel Tasman are once again filled with the birdsong that awakens and delights visitors.
Prizes and Donations - In kind for local school and community groups.
- Using refillable dispensers where appropriate eg soaps, sunscreen
- Introduced electronic timesheets to cut down on paper use
- Use local caters where possible – eg all lunches come from Riwaka, coffee from Riwaka
- Abel Tasman Kayaks day lunches no packaging used
- Composting all left over food scraps
- Recycling – plastics, tins, paper
Filling one bath load of water rather than running the hose to rinse kayaking gear.
Energy Efficiency & Monitoring
- Encourage lights and electronic appliances to be switched off when not in use.
- Regular maintenance of all vehicles/tractors
New staff uniforms are being made out of recycled materials they contain 50% PET material which is derived ‘believe it or not’ directly from recycled plastics bottles.
