How to embrace the Tiaki Promise in New Zealand
See Split Apple Rock/Tokangawhā near Abel Tasman National Park.
In New Zealand’s indigenous language of te reo Māori, tiaki means ‘to care for people and place’. The ‘Tiaki Promise’ inspires visitors to ‘care for the land, sea and nature, treading lightly and leaving no trace’. Here are some ways that you can commit to the promise yourself on your travels.
It’s time to discover how to embrace the Tiaki Promise when travelling in New Zealand: 73 to 79 of our 101 Reasons To Stop Dreaming About New Zealand And Go.
73. A zero-carbon itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island
The Nelson Tasman region on New Zealand’s South Island/Te Waipounamu is spoilt when it comes to stunning landscapes, encompassing as it does sparkling coastal stretches and austere and rugged mountains. Little wonder that it is determined to keep these beautiful vistas and diverse natural habitats as pristine as possible by leading from the front in the development of sustainable and conscious tourism practices, including the country’s first zero-carbon itinerary for visitors.
Enjoy a meal at Mussell Inn.
74. Experience the luxury of exclusivity at Cascade Creek Retreat
Just 45 minutes’ drive from Dunedin/Ōtepoti, Cascade Creek Retreat is the passion project of Janene and Dave Divers who have set aside a slice of their 2000-hectare farm in the Clutha region of the South Island/Te Waipounamu for those wanting a retreat from the everyday with some serious eco credentials.
Cascade Creek.
75. Top glamping sites and tips for New Zealand
One of the prime elements of a glamping experience is an impressive location, whether blissfully remote or jaw-droppingly stunning, something our trans-Tasman neighbours have in spades. Little wonder then that the concept has caught on with gusto in New Zealand, with unique properties strewn like confetti across the landscape from the top of the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui to the bottom of the South. Another thing that appeals to so many about glamping is that it is often a much more sustainable and eco-conscious way to travel and stay.
Stay at a luxurious and eco-friendly PurePod (Image: Miles Holden).
76. Dine at New Zealand’s top restaurants
The Tiaki value of guardianship and protection of Aotearoa’s natural diversity is inspiring chefs at the country’s top restaurants. Here is where you can experience its impact for yourself.
Enjoy a feed at Rātā.
77. A walk of wonders on Redwoods Treewalk & Redwoods Nightlights
Located in the city of Rotorua, Redwoods Treewalk is a 700-metre-long eco-walk suspended high above and weaving its way through the delicate and unique forest ecosystem. The endeavour takes its responsibility to preserving and protecting the landscape here very seriously. As a result, the 28 innovative eco-suspended bridges high above the forest floor that make up the walk have been intricately designed as living decks that adapt to the surrounding trees’ rapid growth without restricting or causing harm to them, and honour and accentuate the stunning natural environment.
Redwoods Nightlight walk.
78. Immerse yourself in Dunedin’s Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Occupying 307 hectares of lush, dense cloud forest microclimate overlooking Blueskin Bay near the South Island/Te Waipounamu city of Dunedin/Ōtepoti, Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a leading biodiversity project with protection and preservation at its heart. The mission statement of this grand project is to create a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem that is free of all introduced mammals – dreaded pests like rats, stouts and our very own possums – and filled with native species that are either endemic to this part of the country or appropriate to the Orokonui forest. Here is how to experience it.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary (Image: DunedinNZ).
79. Stay at the award-winning Iona tiny house
It is fitting that the award-winning Iona tiny house sits lightly on the banks of the Whanganui River given that the 35-square-metre bach is constructed in large part from the recycled native kauri and totara timbers of an old boat. The Iona was built in Otago in 1924 and found in Northland/Te Tai Tokerau by the tiny house’s owners Hamish and Elinor McDouall. Elinor, an architect by trade, set about designing the compact space, utilising the weathered and worn timbers.
Stay at the charming Iona Tiny House.
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Is there any accommodation of note you would recommend around Gibbs Farm, Kaipara?