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About Ecotours New Zealand - Views and Opinions |
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Goals of Ecotours New Zealand
During our childhood, we camped by lakes - which are now lined with rubbish. We frolicked in beaches that are now unsafe for swimming. Greedy developers are hacking up farms and bushlands and putting up shanty-towns. Where does it end? Are we going to repeat the mistakes of the larger nations and watch our children's heritage slide away in a great oil-slick? We see ecotourism as part of the answer. We figure that nobody is going to hack down bushlands if there is money to be made out of keeping them pristine for tourism.
The Internet provides the answer with exposure to millions of people worldwide. By providing a directory of ecotourism operators, by researching, collating and listing New Zealand ecotourism activities, by researching ecotourism sites all around the world, we promote New Zealand operators internationally and inform international ecotourism travellers. By so doing, we hope to take a small step towards keeping New Zealand - clean and green. |
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What is Ecotourism?"Ecotourism" covers a wide range of interests, activities, products, age-groups and services - all based on the concept of the sustainable use of natural resources.At Ecotours New Zealand we have defined Ecotourism as The observation of living organisms within their natural environment where the operation does not degrade and may enhance the environment so that it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.There is an educational element to the operation. The participants will learn from expert guides and hopefully gain an increased respect and love for the environment. "We ask that all ecotourism operators listed on Ecotours New Zealand comply with this definition. |
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The following article is contributed by Maryann Ewers and Bill Rooke
of Bush & Beyond Guided Treks. They are based at the top of the South
Island, and operate guided hikes in New Zealand's second largest and most
diverse park - Kahurangi
Tourism working with Conservation Tourism
is now a major foreign revenue earner for New Zealand. It is one of the
fastest growing industries world-wide. The projected forecast for NZ is
huge. This may be good for the economy, but has a down side as well. NZ
has an extremely fragile natural environment. A great deal of the emphasis
placed on attracting tourists to NZ is on adventure activities such as rafting,
kayaking, bunji jumping, skiing and scenery. None of the things are unique
to NZ - what is unique is our endemic flora and fauna, and sadly it isn't
in good shape. This uniqueness has been expressed perfectly by eminent American
biologist Jared Diamond "New Zealand is the closest we can come to studying
evolution on another planet." NZ was the last major landmass on earth to
feel the brunt of human occupation. Man first arrived here only 800 to 1000
years ago (in contrast Australia had its first immigrants 60,000 years ago).
In this short period we have lost almost ¾ of our bush cover. Only 5% of our lowland forests and wetlands are intact. Most of our conservation estate is on land that would be deemed useless for anything else. We are a world leader in endangered species. It could be argued that nowhere on earth have so few people caused so much environmental destruction in such a short time, as here in NZ. Part of the reason that after 80 million years of isolation, NZ had evolved into one of the most remarkable and fragile environments on earth. A land of amazing birds and a unique endemic flora. The destruction caused by man in the past shouldn't be harped on if we are to move on, but we shouldn't be afraid to tell the true story. At the turn of the 21st century, many New Zealanders are still unaware of the true state of our natural environment, and the effort being made to save what's left, falls short of what is necessary. We endeavour to leave our clients with a greater understanding of the need to protect what we have left of our wilderness and to encourage people to support conservation projects. Bush & Beyond was instrumental in forming the 'Friends of Flora' conservation group now trapping stoats in the Mount Arthur area. Many of Bush & Beyond clients have contributed financially to the project. Education is the key to exposing the myths associated with New Zealand's so called 'Clean Green' image. Bush & Beyond has a philosophy of not being afraid to speak the truth, but at the same time, showing people what a very special place Kahurangi National Park is.
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Environmental Issues and ecotourism benefitsThe following information was contributed by Alan Wilkinson of Wilderness Ecowalks. Ecowalks enables visitors to learn the local history in the unspoilt bush that surrounds Auckland City.What are the environmental issues that make this spot an appropriate ecotourist destination?
We are also very aware of the environmental issues that occur with tourism and in the parks many of the sensitive areas are 'fenced off', and are only able to be entered by permits obtained from the powers to be. Other areas have board walks provided to prevent damage to the environment. What are the specific benefits ecotourism brings to this area and the down sides to it? Ecotourism is promoted by myself, as I love the outdoors, and believe that if I can make people aware of how fragile the land is and we can easily destroy what we have, then I have succeded in starting to help protect the environment. All the areas that I walk in are designated for tours and I also have the responsibility as a sanctioned operator to report any damage that I encounter whilst in the bush. Like all things that we do we inevitably do damage the environment, but if we can leesen the damge by doing it correctly then it will recover in time, which is one of the reasons my tours/walks are limited to a max. of 6 people at one time. What are the dangers visitors might face and are there any specific vaccinations and / or medicines required? We in New Zealand have no wild animals that attack people. We do have introduced animals such as deer, pigs, goats etc. There are no snakes in NZ, and we have only two poisonous spiders one of which was introduced from Australia. To get bitten one has to have been provoking these spiders. No vaccinations are required for people visiting NZ as we do not have many diseases, thankfully. If one is allergic to bees or wasps then one should bring medication as in the Spring/Summer these insects are active gathering pollen etc and will sting if disturbed or interrupted from carrying out their normal tasks. As NZ is a relatively new country we still have many unspoiled, unsettled,
and even some unmapped areas of wild country. We have many natural features
that are closely looked after not only for our heritage but also for the
world to enjoy and marvel at. |
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Speaking from the bottom of New Zealand..Ulva Amos contributed this information about Stewart Island. Ulva takes guided walks through Ulva Island - a predator-free open sanctuary for endangered bird species at the very bottom of New Zealand.As you can see from my address below, this email is from a little island at the very bottom of New Zealand. Stewart Island hosts a little 250 hectare island called Ulva Island, a stunning predator-free open sanctuary for endangered bird species. It was declared pest free in 1997 and we have been able to release endangered birds just about every year since. In February/March 2003 we are releasing the Rifleman which was killed off by rats many years ago in this area. Stewart Island has also become the newest National Park in March of this year, and the majority of the land is wilderness that is only accessible by boat, walking tracks maintained by the Department of Conservation (a 10-day trek, or a 3-day easier walk) on the northern side of the island. We have the usual ecology worries here - how the National Park is going to increase visitor numbers and the ensuing impact on our environment. The islanders make their living from fishing and tourism, but we are also wanting to keep our way of life, so how does one limit areas that can not handle the impact because that would compromise the visitor experience, etc etc. We do not have poisonous animals or insects (other than voracious sandflies with alligator jaws looking for new blood!) so vaccinations are unnecessary for you if you choose to come here. Because New Zealand is such an isolated series of islands, entry requirements are very strict. You are not allowed to bring any food or animal products in any shape or form here, as some imports have brought nasties like spiders, moths etc that are killers for our environment. Visitors from UK are especially targeted since their foot and mouth disease outbreak. The only danger you should find here is that you might get wet - bring warm weather waterproof jackets, we can have three seasons in one day. We don't get snow but certainly lots of sun and rain. Hope this info is of some help to you - another source of excellent information about Stewart Island you can uplift via email from our Visitor Centre: stewartislandfc@doc.govt.nz and the website: www.stewartisland.co.nz. |
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Who are the New Zealand Ecotour Operators?Ecotourism operations are typically small and run by sole owner operators. Employees are often family members and are employed only on a part time or seasonal basis.A wide variety of activities is the main characteristic as shown on our What to Do page. Most ecotourism businesses are based on relatively undisturbed natural resources, such as national parks or coastal areas. All operators listed on Ecotours New Zealand are committed to passing on their depth of knowledge to tourists so that tourists can gain an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the nature of New Zealand. |
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Our
research tells us that ecotourism appeals to discerning visitors who want
a first-hand experience of the natural environment and local communities.
It caters for travellers with special interests who prefer to be part
of the real environment of a place and want to learn more about the authentic
natural, cultural and historical aspects of the locality they are visiting.
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There is a limit...There are physical and social limits to what a particular environment can endure year after year from use before its suitability for that use is degraded."Given eco-tourism's dependence on the country's natural-resource base and on a co-operative host community, its need for an infrastructure and for regional, national and international marketing, an integrated management approach is required. Only this will ensure eco-tourism's long-term viability" (Julie A Warren - 'Developing Ecotourism in New Zealand' 1994) |
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What can you do in New Zealand?This is just a small selection of New Zealand ecotourism opportunities. For more information please visit our Things To Do page or contact the Operators directly from our Operators page. Meanwhile what about...
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Copyright © 1998-
Ecotours New Zealand |
New
Zealand is at a crossroads. The beauty of New Zealand is overwhelming,
awe-inspiring - but for how long? We have observed significant changes
over just one generation. 
In
New Zealand, we do have many of the same issues that plague all developed
countries, such as waste disposal, which in some cities is still just
buried in large landfill areas, which as you know comes back to haunt
us all with leachates and slumping of the ground. In some of the cities
we have large recycling centres and the main area in which I do my tours
is regarded as an Ecofriendly city with recycling efforts being developed
at all times. In some instances I am aware that tours by the council are
provided for interested overseas officials. Waste disposal seems to be
a major curse of all developed countries as we tend become a through away
society, but efforts are being made in most cities to recycle with the
local governments providing specialised bins for each household for plastics,
metals, and paper/cardboard. We are also encouraged to put all organic
waste into either recycle centres for compost making or to make your own
compost. 