Sustainable travel is important to us. We like to utilise sustainable luxury New Zealand accommodation wherever possible. New Zealand has a reputation as a green clean country and unquestionably tourism has an impact on the environment. Therefore our partners are striving to play their part in reducing the impact on the natural environment. Guests traveling to New Zealand have choices to stay in lodges which practice sustainability, and aim to protect the environment. Luxury Adventures have compiled a list of some of these lodges below.

Huka Lodge, sustainable luxury travel

Huka Lodge in Taupo has pledged to put in place best practices for sustainable luxury travel in New Zealand, the local community and the planet. Beside existing policies the lodge are also implementing new policies. Firstly by reducing the use of plastics throughout the lodge. Along side introducing eco-friendly pest management within their grounds, and replanting native shrubs and plants. Moreover Huka supports local businesses in terms of the goods and services they purchase. Other initiatives include installing EV charging stations for electric vehicles. You can read more about Huka Lodges eco policies on our recent sustainable tourism at Huka Lodge blog.

Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa

Set within our BioGro certified organic vineyard and winery, Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa is equally committed to high standards of sustainability practice and we advocate waste minimisation throughout our operations. Our sustainability practices cover everything from in-room recycling bins to refillable glass milk bottles and breakfast spreads served in ramekins and refillable jars. Villa bathrooms will have bamboo toothbrushes, and still and sparkling water will be ‘on tap’ in the Lodge with reusable bottles supplied.

Nitty-gritty detail extends to even the smallest supplies. Guests won’t find straws, sugar packets, tea bags or individually-wrapped mints anywhere. You can read further information about Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa’s sustainability practices and commitment to organics in our interview with them.

Mahu Whenua Homestead & Eco Sanctuary

Located in the mountains between Wanaka and Queenstown lies Mahu Whenua Homestead. The property is a working sheep station spanning 55,000 hectares, and operates with sustainable farming practices. They have a view to regenerate the land with a planting and bird breeding programme in place. The name itself; Mahu Whenua translates to ‘healing the land’. All these policies are fully funded by the lodge owner. Guests at the lodge are encouraged to take part in the replanting of native trees. Read more about them in our interview with Mahu Whenua Homestead & Eco Sanctuary.

Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge

Resurgence Eco Lodge is located close to Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park. Besides being voted one of the world’s top eco-lodges by the National Geographic travellers magazine, Resurgence Eco Lodge has achieved Qualmark Enviro-Gold status. The property is set in 50 acres of native rain forest and the owners are committed to regeneration. They plant native trees, and have an ongoing pest reduction policy. The lodge carefully manages the resources by measuring gas, water and electricity use. Guests are also encouraged to assist with minimising the use of utilities. Food used in the lodges kitchen are either grown locally or on the property. They also have an extensive waste management system in place. To include Resurgence Eco Lodge in your vacation or honeymoon, contact the Luxury Adventures team.

Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses

Kaikoura’s Hapuku Lodge, believe that improving sustainability enhances guest experiences. They have a dedicated Green Team who work hard at improving their sustainable programme. In addition the lodge sources 80% of the food used from local farmers and suppliers. Also the wine list features only New Zealand wines. The electricity supply at the lodge is 100% renewable, thus significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Besides this there is a replanting programme in place, where a native plant is planted for every night a guest stays at the lodge. Hapuku takes recycling seriously, complying with Kaikoura’s Earth Check certification. Only Earth friendly products are used in the bathrooms for guests.

Te Arai Lodge, Mangawhai

This sustainable luxury New Zealand accommodation is located, north of Auckland in Mangawhai. The hosts have a passion for sustainability, and organic garden-to-table dining. Generally they use organic produce grown on the estate. Fish caught locally, free range local chickens, and grass fed beef. Likewise power to the property is provided by solar panels and the property is completely off  the grid. You can read more about this inspiring lodge and their sustainable approach in our earlier blog – Te Arai Lodge. inspired, sustainable luxury.

Rimu Lodge

The purpose built Rimu Lodge is located on the West Coast of the South Island, near Hokitika. The property boasts a Qualmark Silver Enviro award for responsible tourism. They are fully committed to protecting the local environment by means of the following initiatives;

• Recognising the necessity of environmental sustainability and managing visitor interactions accordingly
• Recognising that we only have short term stewardship of the environment
• Having concern for ourselves, our staff and our customers
• Supporting our local community and businesses
• Working towards sustainable water, land and air quality

Furthermore they use only the natural environment, sun and wind for washing, drying, cooling and heating. Rimu Lodge only uses eco friendly cleaning products, and bathroom products for guests. They are especially very conscientious about recycling and reusing.

Pure Pods, sustainable luxury New Zealand accommodation

These unique pods are dotted around the South Island of New Zealand in secluded locations. Pure Pods are essentially luxury camping or glamping. Made of heavy duty glass you’ll really feel at one with nature. Above all the pods are totally off the grid. With lights, and showers exclusively powered by solar energy. Also utilised are bio-fuel capable heaters for hot water and heating. As well as all toiletries and cleaning products are totally organic. Read more about the Pure Pods on Luxury Adventures unique places to stay in New Zealand blog.   

Donkey Bay

Donkey Bay is an architecturally designed boutique lodge in Russell, Bay of Islands. It has without a doubt the the most stunning views across the Bay of Islands. This sustainable luxury New Zealand accommodation is fully energy sufficient and cooled, under a huge living roof. The hotel is run on solar panels for all of its power usage. Additionally the lodge is in carbon credit as they have been producing all of their own power since the owner built the building 15 years ago. Not to mention Donkey Bay has the largest living roof in the Southern Hemisphere! This creates insulation for the hotel due to the 50 cms of soil on the roof.

Moreover the kitchen boats an AGA wood fired oven and a wood fired pizza oven. They use all natural and eco friendly cleaning products and all the lights are LED. There is no varnish used in the building, all the timber is oiled with linseed oil and all the colours on the walls are organic water based paints. All bathroom products are from Voya and are organic, pure, safe and environmentally friendly.

You can read more about Luxury Adventures environmental initiatives in the aforementioned page.

Luxury Adventures – Tailoring luxury travel in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands since 1999.