Ecotourism operators

Ecotourism operators play a large part in our ecotourism programmes. Listed below are some of the outstanding ecotourism operations you will be visiting during your training.

Bush & Beyond
www.bushandbeyond.co.nz
Maryann Ewers and Bill Rooke operate Bush and Beyond, taking  guided walks in Kahurangi National Park.  They are committed conservationists, building their business reputation as an ecologically based operation, with a concern for the park’s natural values. Maryann is a descendent of two of the early pioneer families of the district. Both she and Bill have had years of experience tramping and exploring in the area, and have a vast knowledge of flora, fauna and history to pass on to clients.

Dolphin Encounters
www.dolphin.co.nz
Dolphin Encounter® has been operating dolphin tours in Kaikoura for 20 years. The company is focused on giving visitors a natural experience where any interaction between man and mammal is on the terms of the mammal. Dolphin Encounters is committed to environmental sustainability and improving efficiency to ensure it has the least impact on the environment and the marine mammals it relies on for success.

Franz Josef Glacier Guides
www.franzjosefglacier.com
Franz Josef Glacier Guides are an internationally-recognized guiding operation offering a range of hiking tours on South Westland’s Franz Josef Glacier. 

Fox Glacier Guides
www.foxguides.co.nz
Fox Glacier is New Zealand's largest commercially guided glacier, situated in Glacier Country, on the West Coast of the South Island, only 21 km's south of Franz Josef.  Guiding on Fox Glacier came alive in 1928, when the Fox Hotel, first offered guided trips onto the glacier. All guides are either qualified or in training for Glacier Guides certification, through the internationally recognised New Zealand Mountain Guides association (NZMGA).

Maori Tours
www.maoritours.co.nz
Maori Tours Kaikoura was set up by Maurice and Heather Manawatu and is family-owned and operated.  The family are the indigenous people of New Zealand or Tangata Whenua (people of the land).  The tour shares Maori culture and history in a natural and intimate way.

Oceania Gold Tour
www.oceanagoldtours.com
The tour incorporates how gold was mined historically in the area (1870s onwards) and compares present day mining methods on-site up at the Globe gold mine.  As well as visiting one of the few current day open pit gold mining operations in New Zealand, the tour is special in that it takes visitors  through the processing plant.  There is also a focus on the history and  stories from the ancestors of today's Reefton residents, visiting many of Reefton’s historic public buildings including the School of Mines, Oddfellows Hall, Reefton Courthouse and St Xaviers Anglican Church. A highlight is the cup of billy tea and girdle scones with the Bearded Miners.

Okarito Kiwi Tours
www.okaritokiwitours.co.nz
Kiwi are New Zealand’s national treasure. In spite of this, most of people will never see one in their lifetime.  Okarito Kiwi Tours are the only operators approved to guide people deep into kiwi habitat in South Westland on the South Island’s West Coast, and show them real live kiwi.  The tours, led by Ian Cooper, focus on the rowi or Okarito brown kiwi - the rarest of all kiwi.  

Okarito Nature Tours
www.okarito.co.nz
Okarito Nature Tours is a small family-owned kayak business offering freedom rental and guided kayaking trips on the Okarito Lagoon, New Zealand’s largest unmodified coastal wetland and well known for its outstanding avifauna.

Oparara Tours
www.oparara.co.nz
The Oparara Valley Project Trust manages The Oparara Guided Tours. It is a community initiative, working together with the Department of Conservation.  The Trust has developed and enhanced the existing attractions in the Oparara to become the premium visitor attraction of the northern Buller, encouraging visitors to stay longer.  The unique combination of natural landforms, diverse ecosystems and spectacular caves and arches born of a million years of undisturbed isolation is protected by DOC. The guided walks in the area are outstanding.

Rongos Backpackers
www.rongobackpackers.com
Rongos Backpackers is  based in Karamea - a  small, isolated community in sub-tropical far north West Coast nestled between the mountains of Kahurangi National Park and the sea.  Rongo Backpackers and Gallery is now officially carbon neutral following a recent carbon audit.  A small carbon deficit was made up by investing in green energy.

White Heron Sanctuary Tours
Dion and Ken Arnold, Operators, White Heron Tours
www.whiteherontours.co.nz
White Heron Sanctuary Tours is a family operation run by Ken and Shirley Arnold and son Dion. Operating under a DOC concession for 20 years, the company’s role is to maintain and preserve the ecosystem of the Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve while giving tourists a unique eco-experience.

Wilderness Lodges New Zealand
www.wildernesslodge.co.nz
Gerry and his partner Anne have established a successful and world-recognised ecotourism business, Wilderness Lodges, at Lake Moeraki and Arthur’s Pass.  Gerry has extensive experience in conservation and was the Conservation Director for the Royal Forest and Bird Protections Society..  In 2003 he received an Honorary Doctorate in Resource Management from Lincoln University.  Gerry holds a PHD in Ecology and Range Management 1984 from Lincoln University.