|
Charter News
Check back regularly to this page for news about the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter member businesses.
Putting the "sweet as" in sustainability
Kaitiaki Adventures Rotorua made a serious commitment towards sustainability in its founding year back in 1999 when it took on the responsibility of being caretaker or guardian of the river by taking the name 'Kaitiaki'. To this day Kaitiaki Adventures has lived up to its name, not only going beyond what is legislatively required, but also setting the bar for other businesses to strive towards. Operating from a rafting base over a geothermal aquifer and not serviced by city wastewater meant Kaitiaki looked at alternative options for wastewater treatment. To solve the problem they installed a Bio-loo composting toilet and are working on an Eco-shower operating on a gravity fed system from a 5000 litre separator from the Bio-loo range for the shower wastewater. Kaitiaki have implemented a myriad of sustainable actions, but perhaps their greatest achievement has been in developing an envious "sweet as" organisational culture that has resulted in more than 80 percent of their staff having a tenure greater than five years.
Delivering a green spin on jetboating
Agrojet is fast becoming a leader in New Zealand when it comes to environmental performance of commercial jet boats after installing a new eco-friendly Indmar marine engine in one of its boats. By late 2009 Agrojet will have Indmar marine engines in all three of its boats resulting in a reduction of carbon monoxide emissions by up to 95 percent. Developed by Indmar Marine Engines the EXT/CAT (Extreme Tuned Exhaust with Catalyst) is the marine industry's first clean catalytic converter exhaust system for gasoline marine inboard engines. The engine's ability to significantly eliminate dangerous emissions has been recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency as a revolutionary step in the boating industry.
Triple 1 Five by candlelight
Earth Hour was an international act of awareness for climate change with businesses and households turning off their lights for an hour on Saturday 29 March 2008. Charter member Triple 1 Five … on Tutanakei put some simple planning into this event that resulted in great success with customers being very supportive and showing interest in the café’s involvement. Diners were treated with a special candlelit (non-toxic soy candles of course) dining experience that included dialogue about their participation in Earth Hour.
Putting the worms to work
 Rainbow Springs has undertaken a new challenge to become waste neutral, carbon neutral and more sustainable in their business practices as part of their commitment to membership in the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter. A large part in this process has been the 2007 purchase of Ecoverm worm farms. These farms now play a major part in the cycle of green waste in the park and can chew through a staggering one tonne of green waste a year! The vermicast (worm poo) is used as a high nutrient soil conditioner while the lechate (worm juice) is used as liquid fertiliser on the organic vegetable garden. All waste from the staff room, café, and gardens is used either in compost, for pig food, or comes to the worm farms to be turned into high quality fertiliser for use around the park.
TBL is a piece of cake
APR Consultants has recently completed a TBL report which demonstrates how a small business can produce a simple but effective report. “In preparing our first TBL report we chose to monitor our key economic, social and environmental indicators only. We did this to keep the report simple but relevant to our stakeholders” says Eldad Collins, APR Consultant’s Sustainable Development Manager. Traditionally, TBL reports have been prepared by major corporations and tended to be lengthy and detailed. However, these days even major corporations are trying to keep their TBL reports relatively short and simple. In fact, a TBL report’s length and complexity should be in proportion to the scale of the business and its activities.
Click here >>> to view a copy of APR’s TBL report.
Being PC on eDay
As one of the local organisers for eDay in Rotorua APR Consultants staff played their role in the collection of household electronic waste on Saturday 29 September 2007 at the Rotorua Racecourse. eDay gave people and small businesses the chance to dispose of their old computer equipment and mobile phones quickly in an environmentally-friendly way. The day was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of e-waste dumped in landfills. There are many toxic materials, including lead and mercury that leach from old computers into the landfill - posing a potential toxic hazard for people, animals and the environment. The Rotorua collection resulted in an estimated seven tonnes of toxic electronic household waste being diverted from the landfill. Among the items collected from the 167 cars to bring e-waste to the collection point were 223 computer monitors, 140 computer boxes, 118 printers, 59 cellphones and many cartons of other assorted items. According to Eldad Collins a number of Charter members took advantage of eDay and should be congratulated for doing ‘the right thing’.
Visit www.eday.org.nz for more information about safely disposing of e-waste.
Landing in the swamp
Being committed to becoming carbon neutral, NZONE has joined forces with the Hannah’s Bay community wetland restoration group. “We purchase trees for planting in the wetland, and we get involved in family planting days, such as the Conservation week planting” says Sarah Christie of NZONE Rotorua. The group clears willows from the wetland and cuts them into firewood, which is then freely available to local community members. It also helps educate young people about the importance of wetlands to water quality by inviting youth groups to participate in the restoration project that sees willows replaced with native wetland species.
Planting calculation – 1 hectare of indigenous trees will absorb 10 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to the carbon emissions from 62 skydiving flights a year.
Jul 07: Building a loyal community
Two Charter member businesses showed their support for Emirates Team NZ’s quest for the America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain. While their efforts proved popular with Team NZ and local residents it was unfortunately  not quite enough to give New Zealand the winning edge.
Amy and Chris Trew of ICONZ cafe sent a ‘Homesick Kiwi Pack’ to the Emirates Team NZ team. Lisa Edser from the Emirates Team NZ marketing and sponsorship department emailed ICONZ to say the goodie pack went down a treat with every single chocolate fish, peanut slab, jaffa, snifter, toffee pop and pineapple lump being savoured by the boys. Skyline Skyrides also did their part by getting the local Rotorua community and visitors behind Team NZ. Every morning following a race day in Valencia, staff at Skyline Skyrides could be seen clambering around the mountainside moving a mountain of sail cloth that spelt out the score. Clearly visible from miles away, the mountain sized scoreboard reminded everyone in Rotorua of the huge effort being put in by our fellow countrymen.
We're going to the chapel
LOVE is officially set in stone at exclusive lakeside luxury lodge Peppers on the Point – Lake Rotorua with the construction of an authentic old-world chapel on the grounds. Couples can now celebrate that special day within the enchanting environment of the newly completed stone-work chapel offering stunning stained glass features, Italian tiles and panoramic views across Lake Rotorua to historic Mokoia Island. In realising their romantic dream to build the chapel, lodge owners Ron and Jamie Main sourced materials from throughout New Zealand. The resulting marriage of roof tiles from an old school house in Matamata, special stained glass from Christchurch and other trinkets and treasures sourced from salvage yards and cyberspace, provides a most elegant and atmospheric venue.
Carve a memory
 DIY carving is the newest Free Independent Traveller (FIT) offering from Hells Gate. FIT visitors can now learn basic carving (and safety) techniques at an on-site carving workshop then spend 15 minutes carving their own totara tile following one of three basic contemporary Maori designs; a NZ fern, a mother and child or a health and wellness option. Hells Gate Marketing Manager Patrick Tamati says in the process guests will learn about the significance of carving and the value that it had for the traditional Maori. Part of the base admission price, the new interactive option is available on demand between 9am to 5pm every day. Visitors are able to take the tile away with them.
Getting a bio-diesel fix
Following a successful trial period last month, Duck Tours and Tamaki Heritage Experiences will become the first businesses in Rotorua to operate their fleet using bio-diesel. The two companies are in the process of purchasing tanks and pumping systems and expect their first delivery in the next couple of weeks. The bio-diesel is being sourced from Warren Holden of Enviro-Fuels. According to Warren, who operates his earthmoving company’s fleet on 100% bio-diesel, the fuel both cleans the fuel system and eliminates smoke. And, most importantly, using bio-diesel reduces the business’ carbon foot print. By using bio-diesel, Duck Tours and Tamaki Heritage Tours avoid the discharge of around 18 tonnes of carbon a month.
Blazing a clean trail
The Buried Village and Hell’s Gate have taken a bold step towards making their operations more sustainable by trialling a revolutionary new cleaning product – Grease and Odour Eliminator (GOE), which is made from a mix of molasses, raw cane sugar, malt and magnesium salt with Enzymes in stasis. GOE works by introducing enzymes to activate natural bacteria to get rid of protein. GOE biodegrades entirely within 14 days, is virtually pH neutral (eliminating any risk of chemical reaction for users) and actually feeds the enzyme process in septic tanks (minimising odours from the tank and requiring less frequent pumping of the tank contents). With the support of Thomas O’Leary of Waveline Pacific and Kylie Brackfield of Rotorua Drycleaners & Apparelmaster, both attraction sites are now using this single product in all areas of their business from scrubbing kitchen pots to sanitising shower trays. To ensure the correct dilution of GOE for each cleaning purpose a wall mounted dilution station connected to both GOE concentrate and the water supply is installed at each business, with four dilution rates ranging from 5:1 for kitchen purposes to 50:1 for floor mopping. If all goes well, the two businesses will continue to use this single product to address all their cleaning, washing and sanitising needs while improving the function of their wastewater systems.
A special opportunity for kiwis
 Sustainability involves far more than just environmental impacts. Social sustainability is often forgotten in the face of environmental sustainability, but is equally as important. Charter member Rainbow Springs has come up with a great idea for embracing the local community into the not for profit kiwi conservation program it runs through Kiwi Encounter. Locals are being invited to volunteer as Kiwi Encounter guides and once they have completed a training programme will ‘work’ half a day a week guiding two to three Kiwi Encounter tours on each shift. Volunteers also get the opportunity to help out with things like preparing the kiwis’ artificial diet, assisting husbandry staff, working on perimeter trap lines, doing archive maintenance and preparing sponsorship information. Rainbow Springs GM Stewart Brown says they place huge importance on volunteer guides as they are the public face of the extremely valuable conservation work that is carried out at Kiwi Encounter. If you or someone you know is interested in training to be a volunteer guide contact Sponsorship and Promotions Co-ordinator Toni Thompson by email toni.thompson@rainbowsprings.co.nz
Rotorua is more than just a beautiful city
Not only is Rotorua New Zealand's most beautiful city but we've got one of the best loos too! Rotorua scooped a Beautiful City Award at the annual Keep New Zealand Beautiful conference in Wellington on October 14., 2006 Mayor Kevin Winters said that it is incredible news for the city that "the beauty of our environment has been recognised in this way again". It is the fourth time that Rotorua has won the award for a city with a population greater than 20,000 - we won in 1999, 2000 and 2002 as well. Rotorua also won two other awards; as runners-up in the Best Loo competition, and the Chairman's Excellence Award for 2006.
Aug 06: All grown up
Happy fifth birthday to the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter. Launched in 2001, the new charter marked an era in sustainable tourism. Charter membership has grown from the handful of foundation 'believers' to include a broad spectrum of tourism businesses ranging from owner operator businesses to corporate organisations. Founding member Harvey James of Waimangu Volcanic Valley says their message has always been a grassroots approach to sustainable tourism. "Rather than being presented with a framework of standards, operators are encouraged to pursue continual improvement in sustainable business practices through a peer support network".
Bird women
 One of Te Arawa's most famous ancestors, the legendary birdwoman Kurungaituku, has taken flight agains; this time hovering over the new entrance way to Te Puia. Crafted on site by Te Puia's carving school students under master carver Clive Fugill, the magnificent carving 'hovers' over the walkway held up by eight carved posts which tell the story of Kurungaituku's famous counterpart, Hatupatu. Te Puia CEO Andrew Te Whaiti says they are investing close to a million dollars in Maori artworks which will be integrated into the design of Te Puia's $20m current redevelopment.
Aug 06: New chopper
Volcanic Air Safaris has added a brand new 'slick and stylish' Clipper II Series Robinson 44 helicopter to their fleet of executive aircraft. The company now boasts a total of seven aircraft; three helicopters (R44 Clipper 11, Hughes 500 and a Squirrel), three floatplanes (including a 10-seater Otter) and one land-based Cessna 172 aircraft. The R44 is the world's most popular helicopter from the world's leading producer of civilian helicopters - the Robinson Helicopter Company.
Viewing platform has been reinstated
The long awaited viewing platform at the Rotorua Museum is now open. The platform was reopened in March 2006 after five months of construction, including a new stair access, and the construction of replicas of the original balustrades and turrets. It is believed the original platform was removed from the Bath House building following the Napier Earthquake in 1931. The platform was an important element of the ornate Elizabethan flavour of the building, complete with finials and gables. "The viewing platform is an aspect of the Bath House that most Rotorua residents would have never seen," says Greg McManus, Director of Rotorua Museum. "After 70 years the public finally has access to the roof-space and roof-top again" he adds.
Apr 06: Te Puia celebrates launch of redevelopment programme
Te Puia, formerly known as the NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, is re-investing in the future of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley in Rotorua with a $15-20 million redevelopment programme. Tourism Minister the Hon. Damien O'Connor turned the first sod on the site on April 28, 2006. He was accompanied by Associate Tourism Minister the Hon. Dover Samuels. The ceremony, which was preceded by a ground blessing for Te Puia staff, markeed the start of the construction of a new visitor centre, art gallery, carving and weaving schools and the development of the new tourism products, such as an interactive virtual tour of the mud pools and geysers. Te Puia will remain open during the redevelopment and care has been taken to ensure the work does not interfere with the visitor experience.
Green driving Sustainability Assessor
 Eldad Collins, the Rotorua Sustainability Assessor and employee of APR Consultants has a new set of wheels - it's a Toyota Prius Generation III hybrid vehicle. APR Consultants kindly offered to have their company car signwritten with the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter branding - so we put them to the test to see how committed they are. And committed they are, Eldad is now zipping around town in a car almost entirely covered with Sustainable Charter branding and the logos of some of our Charter members.
Jan 06: Pilot Charter Members Complete Their New Assessments
The three businesses chosen to pilot the new sustainability assessment have now completed the process. The businesses were Sport of Kings Motel, Volcanic Air Safaris and River Rats. The pilot businesses were invited to a Charter Management Committee meeting on 25 January to provide their feedback on the process. Their overall response was very positive and some suggestions for improvements were suggested. The outcomes from this meeting will guide me future assessments.
Tax deductions for environmental expenditure
In a recent change to New Zealand environmental tax businesses can now claim tax deductions for environmental expenditure associated with preventing, mitigating or remedying the discharge of contaminants, monitoring the effects of pollution and testing options to deal with environmental issues. For more detail look at page 23 of Inland Revenue Department Tax Information Bulletin: Vol 17, No 7 (September 2005).
Nov 05: The Three Guinea Pigs
Three Rotorua Charter members have been chosen for a pilot program to train Rotorua’s Sustainability Assessor, Eldad Collins in implementing an assessment framework that is being introduced to all six regions operating under the Ministry of Tourism funded Environmental Sustainable Tourism Project. The three organisations chosen as ‘guinea pigs’ are:
- River Rats
- Volcanic Air Safaris
- Sport of Kings Motel
Eldad will be under the guidance of Environmental Scientist, Liza Martin throughout the pre-site consultation, site inspection, report development and action plan development. During this process Eldad and the pilot businesses will have the opportunity to tweak the framework to the needs of the Rotorua Charter, before Eldad goes on to implement the assessment on the remaining Charter members.
Oct 05: Sustainability Assessor Appointed
APR Consultants has been appointed by the Rotorua District Council into the role of Sustainability Assessor for the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter. Eldad Collins, employed by APR Consultants as a tourism planner will be the primary contact for day to day tasks required of the Sustainability Assessor. The role of Sustainability Assessor includes assisting Charter members to implement processes that promote the sustainable use of natural, physical and social environments. This is achieved through site visits and development of an environmental impact assessment report by the Sustainability Assessor for each Charter business. Members then choose a number of actions from the assessment report as their action plan for the next year towards achieving continual improvement in sustainable business actions. Ongoing support is available to members throughout the year from the Sustainability Assessor in the form of sourcing materials and services to fulfil their action plans.
Jul 05: Rotorua Embraces the Environmental Sustainable Tourism Project
Rotorua has received funding to the value of $132,500 over the next two years from the Ministry of Tourism to implement the Environmental Sustainable Tourism Project in its region. Back in 2001, Rotorua became the first region in New Zealand to form a Sustainable Tourism Charter. Since then the Ministry for the Environment piloted a similar project with tourism operators in Northland and has now partnered with the Ministry of Tourism to implement the Environmental Sustainable Tourism Project. This project provides funding to Rotorua and Northland to build on the work they have already done and for four other regions to develop Charters in their region. Much of the funding will be used for appointing a Sustainability Assessor in each region with the remaining funds being used for activity.
| 
