Our Conservation Story

Family Founded

We owe our inception to the progressive minds of Les and his wife, Lady Olive Hutchins, and their deep passion for protecting the natural landscapes of Aotearoa. In 1954, the couple purchased the Manapouri Doubtful Sound Tourist Company with a vision of sharing Fiordland’s spectacular wilderness with the world in a way that respected and protected it. Small groups of adventurous visitors were guided on multi-day trips into remote Doubtful Sound, creating meaningful experiences in one of the most untouched corners of New Zealand.

These early journeys laid the foundations for what would eventually become RealNZ, a tourism company built on the belief that experiencing nature should inspire people to care for it. More than seventy years later, that founding philosophy still shapes the way we operate across the South Island’s most iconic landscapes.

Growing responsibly

Over the decades, RealNZ has grown carefully, expanding into new experiences while maintaining a strong sense of guardianship over the landscapes we operate in. Today our experiences span some of the country’s most remarkable environments, from Piopiotahi Milford Sound and Te Anau to Cardrona Alpine Resort and Rakiura Stewart Island.

One defining moment came in 1969 when Les and Olive purchased the historic TSS Earnslaw, saving the iconic Lake Wakatipu steamship from being scrapped. After painstaking restoration, the ship returned to service and remains a living piece of New Zealand heritage today. Preserving cultural and natural heritage continues to play an important role in how RealNZ operates.

The birth of NZ conservation

In the early days, Les Hutchins became deeply motivated to protect New Zealand’s natural environment from the growing pressures of development. After witnessing the environmental damage caused by hydroelectric development at nearby Lake Monowai, he became one of the leading voices opposing similar changes proposed for Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau.

Les and Olive joined the now-legendary Save Manapouri campaign, helping to rally public awareness and support for protecting the lakes. Their efforts contributed to a national movement that ultimately prevented the lakes from being raised for hydroelectric generation.

Les Hutchins’ contribution to this special part of New Zealand continues through the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation.

Waste minimisation

Reducing waste and environmental impact has become a core focus across all RealNZ experiences. In recent years, the team has taken significant steps to reduce landfill waste, particularly at Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, where landfill bins have been removed entirely. Guests are encouraged to take a “pack in, pack out” approach - bringing reusable containers, avoiding single-use packaging and helping minimise waste in fragile alpine environments.

Food outlets on the mountains now prioritise reusable or compostable packaging, recycling and compost stations are widely available, and teams continue to look for ways to reduce emissions and environmental impact across transport, operations and supply chains.

Helping the world fall in love with conservation

For more than seventy years, RealNZ has introduced visitors from around the world to some of the most remote and breathtaking wilderness areas in Aotearoa. Whether cruising through Fiordland, exploring glowworm caves in Te Anau or spotting kiwi on Rakiura Stewart Island, guests often leave with a deeper appreciation for New Zealand’s natural heritage.

As guardians of the national parks and environments where we operate, we believe tourism can play a powerful role in conservation. By helping people connect with these extraordinary places, we encourage them to become advocates for protecting them.

Today, that commitment extends beyond the experiences we offer to the conservation initiatives we actively support across the regions we operate in. You can learn more about the projects we’re involved in and the impact they’re having on our Key Conservation Projects page.