We recognise that guests to Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses may travel great distances to enjoy experiencing the mountain scenery and maritime activities of Kaikoura, unique experiences in a spectacular environment, our aim is to nurture this environment, restoring it through planting native trees and being sustainable in our operations.
In 2002 Kaikoura as a township was the first local authority in the world to become a Green Globe certified community, in addition to this, nearly every local operator has a green mission threaded through their operations, caring for the environment which brings tourists from near and far.
At Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses we share the travellers appreciation for the environment, we continually make refinements to the way we operate and perhaps our proudest iniative are the efforts to enhance the local Kaikoura environment by planting native trees, encouraging native bird populations with the plant varities that support them year-round.
In an effort towards making NZ tourism sustainable, we promise to plant at least one New Zealand native plant for every guest night spent at the Lodge. As of December 2008 we have planted over 11,500 NZ native plants and trees. By planting we create a long term carbon sink offsetting a proportion of carbon produced by travel and our operations. Just as important, we help replenish the local vegetation and thereby support the native bird populations, which include rare and endagered species.
| Beyond tree planting, our eco-efforts include: | |
| • | When dining at Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses you can be confident that we are sourcing over 75% of our ingredients and products from local farmers and purveyors with whom we often have a direct relationship, tracing meat and vegetables to the farm gate. Organic ingredients are preferred when of good quality. Almost nothing on your plate has been imported and our wine list also features the best of New Zealand wines. |
| • | Our kitchen garden, managed by our chef, is completely organic, growing seasonal vegetables and herbs on site and reducing carbon miles associated with transporting produce |
| • | We do aim to reduce, recycle or compost our waste, with Kaikoura's continually improving facilities and goal of becoming a zero-waste community this will continue to improve. We currently compost all kitchen waste including waste meat and proteins. |
| • | Timber used in construction and interiors are responsibly sourced, and although we include some imported timber these are mainly recycled and salvaged timbers |
| • | Our Tree Houses have small private fireplaces, at the time of installation these enclosed fireplaces were some of the most efficient fireplaces in the world |
| • | All rooms have significant insulation; HR1 grade insulation and double glazing |
For guests interested in enjoying a selection of Kaikoura’s greener activities while minimizing your environmental impact and personally contributing to the local environment please see our eco-package below, or consider our recommended activities or seasonal packages.
Our recommended Eco-Package includes: • Two nights in a One Bedroom Tree House, surrounded by the canopy of our native Manuka grove. • A Discover Kaikoura’s Maori Culture and Bush Restoration Tour. An opportunity exclusive to Hapuku Lodge guests, allowing you to learn about Kaikoura’s rich Maori culture and join a Maori tree planting ceremony, allowing you to play a part in restoring the native eco-system. • A Night Sky Tour introducing guests to New Zealand's spectacular star-filled sky. Remarkably, Kaikoura has 80% more stars than the sky of the northern hemisphere. • A seal kayaking trip along the Kaikoura Peninsula. • A nightly dinner for two, created from local ingredients, wholesome and organic produce. • Optionally you may chose to contribute to Trees for Travellers, a local initiative planting trees and creating new areas of native bush which can then be monitored throughout their lifetime.
