Admiralty Lodge
 Admiralty Lodge prides itself in being one of the few 5 star accommodation providers in the region and it now has more reason to be proud haivng recently attained a Qualmark Enviro Silver accreditation. The lodge takes the supply chain into consideration when purchasing new products and therefore boasts eco friendly amenities includng soaps, smapoos and cleaners. The Lodge's managers also monitor waste and power on a regular basis to ensure responsible disposal and management of these. The lodge is also well equipped with easy to use recycling facilities to ensure visitors can participate in an environmentally sound stay in our beautiful Coromandel Region.
Cotswold Cottage
The littlest things can make a difference as demonstrated by Jacqui and Graeme who are continuing on their quest to receive a Qualmark Enviro accreditation at their next assessment. They reduce waste by buying in bulk where possible (minimise packaging) making their own bread (no packaging) and jam (recycled jars) and ‘thinking outside the square’ in a bid to continue reducing what is sent to landfill such as recycling polystyrene packaging by putting it in the bottom of large plant pots (good drainage for the pots, less potting mix needs to be used and the pots are lighter and therefore easier to move around!).
Recently they’ve upgraded their guest amenities to top of the range eco-friendly products and are currently working on the best way to continue supporting local community and conservation initiatives.
Hot Water Beach Holiday Park
Now in its second summer of operation this Holiday Park is already showing great promise in providing a sustainable environment for generations to relax in over the future centuries. This year their formal commitment to being responsible tourism operators has been formalised with a Qualmark Enviro Silver accreditation.
A lot of hard work has already gone into replacing 1000’s of pines with native trees over the past years to regenerate native bush and attract native birdlife. Visitors will clearly see the commitment to correct waste disposal and recycling at the park and are encouraged to participate in responsible tourism.
The local community is important to Sheree and Grant with Sheree being an active member of the local community board and Grant coaching rugby. They contribute to the local life saving surf club, paying the summer salary of a surf life saver - important to both locals and visitors alike.
Indigo Bush Studios
Robyn from Indigo Bush Studios has created a truly unique and original architecturally designed environment. Robyn provides her guests with top quality and appealing accommodation where guests can feel in touch with their natural surroundings. Visitors can explore the beautiful Coromandel whilst knowing they are supporting a responsible and active tourism operator. On the sustainability front Robyn has taken a clear stance when it comes to considering the supply chain of product used at her stueios - she only uses eco certified products, the power supplied to the studios is from NZ's only carbon neutral provider, and any print marketing is done on recycled paper and using vegetable inks. Robyn is also a very active member of the community, working in the local food bank, The Source and the Woofer association.
Kuaotunu Bay Lodge
Right from the start this lodge was built on the premise of sustainable business. Rain water is harvested and waste water is recycled through a sophisticated system that irrigates the surrounding gardens. Underfloor heating and hot water is provided via a boiler system that is fuelled by wood which is sustainably sourced from the property.
Eco-friendly cleaners and guest amenities are in use and waste is responsibly recycled including food scraps going to the neighbours chooks and pigs. Next on Lorraine and Bill’s list is to continue their native planting project and look at solar heating as another option for hot water heating during peak season.
Manawa Ridge
Built on the principle of sustainability with mudbrick and strawbale construction and a multitude of recycled products including a staircase and all the window frames, this is a property built by Willem and Carla with plenty of passion about doing the right thing.
Meals served are largely sourced direct from the land around Manawa Ridge and hopefully it won’t be long before the energy is sourced from the wind and some bio-diesel (a work in progress!)
Marina Park Apartments
 Managing a property with numerous individually owned apartments doesn’t make it easy to monitor and implement sustainable practices across the board, but Maureen and Paul have made some positive changes at Marina Park Apartments already and in doing so they have achieved a Qualmark Enviro Bronze accreditation.
Guest amenities are eco-friendly and cleaning and office products are continually reviewed to see how they can contribute more positively to the sustainable running of the complex. There is a strong focus on ensuring resources are not wasted and the entire team at Marina Park Apartments are actively involved in responsible tourism initiatives which include participating in a battery recycling program and revamping the apartment servicing agreement in relation to linen and towels without reducing the quality of service they provide.
Miranda Holiday Park
Miranda Holiday Park boasts many large scale environmentally responsible features. Managers Sacha and Russell Williams have developed a geothermal heat transfer system to heat the park's hot water supply resulting in a huge reduction in energy costs while also ensuring minimal pressure on the energy grid. The holiday park has a 4000+ plantation of native trees and bush that are grown on highly fertile soil surrounding the onsite sewerage system plant which is monitored daily by Russell and Environment Waikato to ensure it has no adverse effects on the sensitive natural environment in Miranda. Extensive and easy to use recycling stations have been put up on site to ensure that as much waste is diverted from landfill as possible. The supply chain is taken into consideration when it comes to all products used in the business from soaps and shampoos to printing paper. A fantastic, guilt free, eco conscious destination for the whole family to enjoy and learn about!
Poet's Corner Lodge
A Qualmark Enviro Silver accredited business for the past two years, Marg and John, had sustainability in mind when they build their guest lodge. Rainwater is harvested and filtered for use at the lodge and hot water solar heating is also in place.
Waste is minimised through bulk buying, recycling, composting and a worm farm. Water and energy is wisely managed by installing energy efficient lighting, efficient appliances and sustainable building (double glazed windows and wool insulation).
Conservation efforts undertaken by Marg and John include pest control of the Conservation land which surrounds their property, donating time and money in ensuring bait stations are monitored and maintained. They have also planted 100’s of native trees on their own section and will continue to extend this and invite guests to participate if they wish to offset their carbon footprint in some way.
Puka Park Resort by Grand Mecure
Not only is Puka Park one of the region's largest and most well known accommodation providers, but the resort also boasts a Qualmark Enviro Silver accreditation and its own detailed Sustainability Charter which is led by Accor management. The resort uses solar heating for a portion of its hot water heating and contributes to local community and conservation based initiatives including tree planting projects. Large recycling facilities are located on site and staff and management monitor resources such as power and waste in line with their Accor sustainability charter and their Qualmark Environmental action plan.
Seabreeze Holiday Park
As one of our region's largest holiday parks, Seabreeze can accommodate up to 400 visitors in the region therefore sound resource management and responsible tourism development are important to the park's management. The park has its own sewerage treatment system which is monitored every six months and tested externally to ensure that large numbers of visitors don't have adverse effects on the region's beautiful natural surroundings. Seabreeze are also monitoring power and waste in order to better manage the use of associated resources and to ensure that as much waste is diverted from landfill as possible.
Te Mata Lodge
Kathryn and Warwick understand how community is integral to sustainability and so they donate their time and efforts to a number of organisations with Kathryn being the Chairperson of the local school's Board of Trustrees and Warwick being a volunteer fire fighter, just to name a couple.
At Te Mata Lodge they are conscious about providing their guests with a comfortable and informative stay. They offer picnic baskets filled with local and homegrown produce and freshly baked bread and muffins (no packaging!) and invite visitors to take a walk around their grounds to learn about the native vegetation and birdlife with trail guides they provide.
Their action plan for 2010 includes completing a waste audit to see if they can be doing more in this respect and sourcing a printer who will produce further print marketing material for them using paper from a sustainable source and vegetable based inks.
The Church Accommodation
Karen and Richard built The Church Accommodation on sustainable principles before the concept of sustainability was even main stream in New Zealand. The chalets are all built with recycled timber and floor boards and chalets are surrounded by native bush and birds. Karen and Richard are very active members of the Hahei community, contributing in roles on the Reserves committee and the Hahei Business association. They also work closely on fundraising initiatives for the Hot Water Beach Surf Lifesaving club - a very valuable organisation to all locals and visitors enjoying our coast. Karen played an active role in the development of the Hahei reusable bag - a great example of a local creative and practical sustainable solution!
The Heights B&B
The first accommodation providers in the region to receive Qualmark's prestigious Enviro Silver accreditation and one which Vicki and Phil have now held for two years running, meeting Qualmark's stringent requirements for a broad base of environmental initiatives across a wide range of areas. Their day to day operations range from changing their guest amenities to eco-friendly products, employing organic gardening techniques and participating in a native tree reforestation program, through to upgrading their spa pool to one which requires less energy and chemicals. A lot is also done behind the scenes, including measuring and monitoring energy, water, waste and fuel consumption.
Next on the agenda is an opportunity to build on their current contribution to both community and conservation efforts in their local area, with Phil spearheading an environmental initiative at the school where he teaches.
Waihi Beach Lodge
Greg and Ali are keen on fishing and their location allows them to do this as and when they please, they respect this right and are supportive of fisheries initiatives around size and catch limits as these are part of ensuring they can continue to share this activity with their guests at Waihi Beach Lodge.
Waihi Beach Lodge recently upgraded its Qualmark Enviro Bronze to a Silver Accreditation, demonstrating continued commitment to reducing waste, energy and water useage at the lodge. From double glazed windows and eco-friendly cleaning products through to on site composting and a goal to soon catch and use rainwater for their gardens.
Click here for information on Qualmark's Enviro Accreditation programme
For visitors to the region - Here are some questions you may want to ask Tourism Operators before making a booking:
What is your environmental policy?
What percentage of your employees are local citizens?
What sorts of policies have you implemented to reduce water consumption, conserve energy or recycle wastes?
Do you support any projects to benefit the local community?
Do you support conservation? How?
Have you won any eco-awards or achieved any formal accreditation as a result of your sustainable tourism efforts?
How do you educate visitors about local natural areas, wildlife, energy conservation, and local culture?
How do you monitor your sustainability practices? |
