Local Operators part of WellingtonNZ 2022 Sustainable Tourism Programme
Kāpiti will participate in the inaugural Wellington Sustainable Tourism Programme. Set up by Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) and WellingtonNZ, the programme is designed to support businesses in their sustainability journey.
Nga Manu Nature Reserve and Te Raukura ki Kāpiti are the local operators taking part in the programme for 2022. Designed to support Wellington hospitality and tourism businesses and operators to develop sustainability action plans; the programme supports Wellington City Council's climate action plan ‘Te Atakura - First to Zero’ target to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa has established Tourism Tiaki with more than 1600 operators around the country having signed up. Tourism Tiaki – Care for New Zealand is a collaborative kaupapa (platform). This tourism programme will support local organisations in the tourism industry to help to bring the Tiaki kaupapa to life.
Nga Manu Nature Reserve
Nga Manu Nature Reserve located in Waikanae will participate in 2022. Anna McKenzie Hawea, the new General Manager, shares that being an eco-tourism operator this work is at the heart of everything they do.
“At Nga Manu our kaupapa centres around conservation and connecting people with nature through education. Sustainability is central to our commitment to the environment, so we were over the moon to be accepted into this year’s WellingtonNZ sustainable tourism programme. The programme will allow us to take sustainability to the next level at the reserve. Our goal is to keep reducing our impact on the environment and play a leadership role in sustainability within our region and community, and as a eco-tourism operator.”
Te Raukura ki Kāpiti
Te Raukura ki Kāpiti performing arts venue, located in Raumati, is the other operator participating this year. Sonia Hardie the Centre Manager says she's excited about the opportunity to learn new tools as part of the programme.
"We are thrilled to be a part of the Sustainable Tourism Programme. We want to ensure the theatre facilities and venue systems are delivering the best environmental and sustainable outcomes possible. We want to operate a leading performing arts venue and also minimise our impact on the environment. The programme will allow us to develop our policies with expert guidance and continue to learn about operating in a sustainable way.”
“In today's world, it is more than just choosing where to spend your money, we now make conscious decisions about how our actions and activity impact our world and choosing to support organisations that reflect our values is really important. Our community can choose to come to a place that consciously works to reduce our footprint on the earth for future generations to enjoy."