Sponsorship & Community
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. (Māori proverb)
Our guests tell us that it is our people who make their experiences unforgettable. As well as dedicating substantial funds to conservation work in our area, our pledge is to be held in the highest regard by our staff and the communities in which we live and work.
A Night for Nature
A Night For Nature is our annual black-tie fundraiser, where 100% of the ticket price supports critical conservation initiatives. Since its launch in 2015, this event has raised over $1million for conservation projects.
- 2026 - $240k raised for the Kiwi Pukupuku (Little Spotted Kiwi)*
- 2025 - $169k raised for the Pukunui / Southern NZ Dotterel
- 2024 - $150k raised for the Takahē Relocation Project (Southern Lakes Sanctuary partnership)
- 2023 - $175k raised for the Kākāriki Karaka Translocation Project
- 2019 - $54k raised for the Cardrona Kārearea Conservation Project
- 2018 - $85k raised for the Dusky Sound Restoration Project (DOC partnership)
- 2017 - $100k raised for the Wakatipu Wildlife Trust & Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust
- 2016 - $65k raised for Dusky Sound Restoration Project (DOC partnership)
- 2015 - $35k raised for DOC Kākāpō Recovery Team
*The Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation is thrilled to announce that Shane Heenan from Foot Science International is the winner of the Heritage Expeditions Beyond Fiordland: New Zealand's Wildest Islands voyage for two people, as drawn and announced at the RealNZ Night for Nature on Saturday 29 August at Walter Peak High Country Farm, Queenstown.
Cruise-for-a-Cause
Since 2015, RealNZ has dedicated its final training cruise of the Milford and Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises as fundraisers for charitable organisations like the Cancer Society, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, Forest & Bird, Dunedin's Wildlife Hospital and more. RealNZ provides the overnight vessels, crew, dinner, breakfast and water activities at no cost. Cruise-for-a-Cause has raised over $300,000 for non-profit groups since it's inception.
Conservation Expeditions
Each year, RealNZ partners with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and dedicates two of its multi-day Discovery Expeditions to raising awareness and funds for the Cooper Island Restoration Project in Fiordland’s Dusky Sound. RealNZ donates $500 from each ticket.
Pomona Island Charitable Trust
Every coffee counts. At Waiau Street Café, Manapouri, and aboard the Patea Explorer, 50 cents from every coffee helps protect the endangered Haast/Tokoeka Kiwi. Since the start of our partnership with the Pomona Island Charitable Trust, in Spring 2024, our guests have raised over $16,000 for predator eradication on Pomona and Rona Islands, home to vital conservation efforts. We cruise past Pomona Island daily, but it’s more than a view. It’s a reminder of the work we support and share with our guests. Next time you visit Doubtful Sound, grab a cup, knowing it helps our taonga species thrive. Read the 2025 Annual Report here.
Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation
We donate a portion of every ticket to Patea Doubtful Sound to the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation. This means each year our passengers contribute more than $60,000 simply by choosing to travel to Doubtful Sound with us!
Projects supported by the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation include dolphin research, protection programmes for endangered birds, track and interpretation signage, outdoor education camps and wilding pine eradication.
Community Sponsorship Requests
If you would like to apply for sponsorship from RealNZ, please complete and submit our RealNZ Sponsorship Request Submission with details of your fundraiser. All sponsorship is offered in the form of vouchers for our experiences.
We will consider sponsorship applications that align to our business principles; primarily:
- Conservation
- Education programmes
- Assisting disadvantaged groups
- Health / Rescue
We're proud to support our communities and receive a large number of sponsorship requests each year. Unfortunately, we're unable to support every application. To give your request the best chance of being considered, please apply as early as possible, ensure your application is submitted through our sponsorship form, and allow at least two weeks before your fundraising event.
