Initiative

How? (Explanation how the initiative is implemented, and to what extent)

01

All electric equipment is turned off if not in use

Equipments are on separate switches and are only in the on position if an item is used

02

We only use low energy light bulbs

100% of business light bulbs are low energy

03

Electricity in InfoShed is off

The power supply to the InfoShed is off, so no electricity can be switch on by accident.

04

Toilet and hand washing water is untreated

This water is coming straight out of the river and therefore no burden to the environment

05

Waste water treated on site

All grey and waste water is treated on site and no burden to an energy demanding treatment plant

06

Work close is washed with untreated, low temperature or cold water

Little energy is used to heat water or treat water to wash work close

07

Water reticulation

Water reticulation runs entirely on gravity, no supplied energy is used to distribute water for private and business

08

Water heating

During winter water is predominantly heated with local sustainable fire wood

09

Only environmental friendly cleaning agencies are used for washing and closing

No harmful chemicals are used to wash work close, clean toilets, machinery and items used for the tourism business

10

Reuse paper

We use old envelopes and letters as notepads

11

Reuse paper hand towels

All paper hand towels are used to light the fire or are getting composted

12

Recycled paper

All toilet paper and hand towels are recycled paper

13

We share a car for business and private

We use our private car and a trailer to do business purchases to save on fuel and mileage and to be friendlier to the environment

14

Pest control

The following pests are regularly controlled (possum, rat, mice, weasel, goat, pig, magpie, mynah)

15

Non toxic possum control

Possums, rats and mice are 90 % controlled by FeraCol (vitamin D3) which is a natural non toxic ingredient and has no effect on the environment or predators eating the cadavers, no secondary poisoning

16

Recycle dead possums

Dead possums are buried under our fruit trees for fertilizer

17

Clean weed control

Weeds in the Wairere Boulders are 95% pulled or cut by hand, not to harm the environment.  Only a few weeds (for instance Lantana, Gorse, Blackberry, Pampas) are destroyed by chemicals as they cannot be eradicated by hand

18

Weeding exotic plants

The Wairere Boulders are permanently weeded to preserve the unique natural environment of the valley. (gorse, pampas, lantana, wooly night shade, black berry, thistle, ragwort, Mexican devil, etc)

19

Tree planting

Trees species that got logged in the 1800 are replanted in their original place (Kauri, Rimu, Pohutukawa)

20

Bush protection

All bush boundaries are fenced with 9 wire post and batten electrical fencing

21

Envelopes

We only use recycled paper envelopes

22

Recycling, composting

All recyclable waste is recycled or composted

23

Surplus produce

Surplus fruit and vegetable are not wasted, but given away to tourists

23

Environmental education

We often explain our environmental actions to tourists and schools

25

Free entry

All local schools and residents have free entry to the Wairere Boulders

26

Broadband initiative

We organised wireless broadband for the Hokianga with our work and finance

27

Tourism charter

Wairere Boulders are one of the pilot businesses for the Northland Sustainable Tourism Charter

28

Waste oil

Most waste oil is reused as bar lube for chain saws.

29

PR by website and internet

All information and our brochure is available on the Net, so brochures for individuals do not have to be sent by mail

30

Other tourist attraction

Paper notes are handed out to help travellers to find other nature attractions easily

31

Advise on health

People with pains and health problems are advised how to help their ailment with low-cost natural remedies

32

Carbon zero

We conserve 90 ha of bush to offset our carbon consumption

33

Office heating

Office is heated by double burner stove and local fire wood

34

Drinking water

We offer free filtered local drinking water, instead of processed and reticulated water in plastic bottles

35

Walking sticks

Free recyclable walking sticks are offered to visitors (Tea Tree)

36

History

We research the local history and display it in our InfoShed and website. Also we tell passing tourists about the history of our place and the surrounding area

37

Collaboration with NRC Enviro Fund

We closely collaborate with the NRC in conservation issues to preserve the unique and special environment in the Wairere valley

38

Charity

We regularly donate money to NZ charities

39

Batteries

We only use rechargeable batteries for business cameras and GPS

40

Advertisement

We created A2 posters for advertisement to save on distribution of numerous A4 brochures

41

Community support

Creating, maintaining and paying for two websites,  tourism in Hokianga and town of Horeke

42

Furniture

Only use second hand furniture or timbers used from sustainable logging