In 2018 we signed the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, an industry-led commitment launched in 2017 by TIA – Tourism Industry Aotearoa. Their vision is ‘Leading the World in Sustainable Tourism’ and they aim to see every New Zealand tourism business committed to sustainability by 2025.
Some of the innovations and activities undertaken at our park to support our commitment include:
- Solar panels to pre-heat our hot water, (These panels were originally made in the 1980’s by park owner Ted Davidson by following instructions in a ‘Popular Mechanics’ magazine).
- Solar panels to warm our swimming pool during summer.
- Electric Heat Pump installed in 2019 to replace our diesel burner water heater. Addition of Photovoltaic (PV) solar system will enable our hot water system to be cost neutral and excess solar power will be used to supplement our main camp power supply. This will greatly reduce our carbon footprint.
- LED bulbs, light sensors, and timers for lighting.
- Water restricting shower roses fitted to all showers.
- Water bore for irrigation.
- Recycling facilities for aluminium, glass, plastic and cardboard.
- Food waste bin at recycling station and in self-contained units.
- Worm farm for worm-friendly food scraps.
- ‘Nude Bins’ in accommodation units. Bin liners no longer used.
- Unwrapped guest soaps in units, leftover soap sent to ‘Beyond Skin Deep’ for recycling.
- New pillows purchased are made from recycled plastic bottles.
- IdealCups re-usable coffee cups sold in our park.
- Re-usable fabric shopping bags made by staff available for guest use.
- Sponsorship of Good Nature pest trap on Mauao.
- Staff assist with volunteer tasks for Western Bay Wildlife Trust
- June 2019 – Joined Tauranga City Council’s Resource Wise Business programme to improve our landfill waste diversion rate of 40%.
- Annual charity quiz night and auction
- Food/toiletries collection for victims of 2023 Hawkes Bay Flood
- Summer 2022/23 – Landfill waste diversion rate increased to 72%
- 2022/23 Participated in ‘The Green Room’ sustainability programme.
- Carbon footprint measured and emissions offset – received Ekos Carbon Friendly Certificate
In addition, we celebrated 50 years of park ownership in 2018 with the following activities:
- Six staff took part in the Everest Challenge, a 50 day challenge to climb Mauao (Mt Maunganui) 38 times, raising funds for Waipuna Hospice.
- Donation of 50 back packs to All Children Matter who make up back packs of clothes for children in need.Our guests assisted with donations.
- Staff made 50 re-usable fabric shopping bags for Boomerang Bags Tauranga.
- Donation of 150 items to the Tauranga Community Foodbank Christmas appeal.
2019 Family Parks Environmental Excellence
2019 Qualmark 4 Star Silver Sustainable
2019 Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Highly Commended Sustainability Innovation
2021 Tauranga Council Resource Wise Business Silver
2023 Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Winner Sustainability Innovation