Our Sustainability Journey
Dedicated Conservation and Sustainability Team
RealNZ appointed New Zealand tourism’s first Chief Conservation Officer, former RealNZ General Manager Paul Norris, who leads a dedicated conservation and sustainability team. Paul’s leadership was recognised in the 2020 New Year’s Honours with an MNZM for services to tourism and conservation.
This team is tasked with ensuring everything we do is looked at through a conservation and sustainability lens for the long-term benefit of our people, our partners and our planet.
Carbon Reduction
We measure and report on our emissions annually to the international standard (ISO 14064-1:2018).
We have a long way to go but so far we:
- Have installed electric charging stations in Manapouri, Te Anau, and Queenstown and own two electric vehicles and. We plan to expand the network into Milford Sound and Bluff.
- Are founding members of the Hydrogen New Zealand Association (in 2018). We are supporting the rollout of a pilot project to demonstrate and promote hydrogen technology in this part of the world.
- Are actively investigating electric vehicle battery technology and hydrogen fuel cell technology options for both our road and marine transport fleets.
- We have set up our power generation and distribution system at Walter Peak for renewable energy and are investigating options to transfer from diesel generators to renewable energy
The TSS Earnslaw
Launched in 1912, the TSS Earnslaw is the oldest coal-fired passenger-carrying steamship in the southern hemisphere. Almost lost (scuppered) in the late 1960’s we have carefully maintained her (including her original boiler and engines) for over fifty years.
She has become a unique historical icon, and whilst over the years we have continued to improve the efficiency of the vessel to minimise emissions - the steamship is our biggest barrier to reaching our carbon reduction goals. Our Head of Asset Management, the TSS Earnslaw Chief Engineer and his team, are tasked with investigating alternative fuel options whilst preserving the steamship’s authenticity and heritage value.
Inside the engine room of the TSS Earnslaw
Responsible Consumption and Production
Our procurement guidelines ensure sustainability is built into what we purchase in the first place, with environmental, social and economic criteria that reflect our values. The procurement team actively works with suppliers on several fronts including reusing, recycling and promoting product stewardship. We prioritise buying local where we can.
We have completed a full audit of all the waste types (e-waste, food, oil, packaging, textiles, etc) and the amounts involved. Since 2018 we have been working through our key areas, investigating the recycling/reuse methods for each material and reusing or recycling wherever possible.
Some of our initiatives:
- We now only serve New Zealand spirits and wines showcasing our high-quality local product
- Partnered with our suppliers to return our used uniforms to be recycled in charity shops and minimised apparel packaging
- Partnered with our milk distributer to take responsibility for the used milk containers – which are taken away with deliveries. The containers are recycled into plastic pellets which are made into items like drainage pipes.
- All PET bottles and single-use plastic items like straws, cutlery, and ketchup containers have been removed
- Single-use plastic water bottles have been removed from picnic lunch boxes and boxes made smaller with information on the complimentary water widely available
- Plastic boarding passes removed
Take the Tiaki Promise
Aotearoa, New Zealand, is not like other places. The wilderness, wildlife and people here are special - when you come visit, you’ll see for yourself!
The Tiaki Promise is an agreement between all who live, visit, roam and explore New Zealand’s vast land to take care of it.
Coming to New Zealand means becoming a guardian of our healthy natural environments, cultural heritage and communities.
By travelling responsibly, you’re helping preserve New Zealand for future explorers like yourself to enjoy.
Explore the Tiaki Promise and discover what it means for you during your New Zealand experience. Learn more here.
