ENERGY
Only renewable energy is sustainable and no energy source is unlimited, energy is meant to be used in moderation.
We do :
TEMPERANCE :
Reduce the amount of water and energy used to take shower with timers
Turn off lights and devices when we don’t need them
No hot water in kitchens, rooms and laundries
EFFICIENCY :
Replacement of devices with more efficient energy consuming ones, according to their energy star rating
Replacing lights with LED bulbs
Double glazed windows in the restaurant (project in the future for the lodge)
Limit energy loss by closing doors of fridges, chilling cabinet, covering the coffee machine
HRV system
Presence detection for lights and ventilation in toilets and entrance areas of the lodge
Stop using coal boiler
Project to have more efficient heating system in the lodge
RENEWABLES :
Solar panels on the roof of the restaurant to cover 30% of electrical demand
Fire place to heat the restaurant with our own wood
WATER
Already too polluted, we need to preserve it
We do :
REDUCING USE :
Double flush toilets
Optimizing the use of sanitizer
Optimizing the water when doing the dishes
Timers on showers
Collecting rain water in a 30000L tank for watering gardens
Signage in communal areas to reduce use
REDUCING SEWAGE :
Waste kitchen oils in specific toners instead of pouring in sewage system
WASTE
Should be considered as a resource and diverted from landfill sites. We must reduce, reuse and recycle them as much as we can
We do :
REDUCE :
Food Management to avoid waste
Regular maintenance of equipment
Fix broken equipment instead of disposing them and buying new ones when possible
Tap water preferred to bottled water, and use of glass bottles if possible
REUSE :
Unsold food is eaten by staff
Cardboard boxes are reused in gardens to cover aisles and free grounds of weeds
Reuse of material to create new pieces of furniture (doors, tables, etc…)
Reuse stationary paper as much as possible
RECYCLE :
All organic waste is composted or feed our chickens and ducks
Recycling bins available in the lodge and restaurant
BIODIVERSITY
New Zealand has a unique ecosystem that should be preserved as national heritage
We do :
CONSERVATION :
Heritage trees and plants in the orchard and gardens
Native species planted in gardens and grounds
Removing non-native species
Landscaping to provide habitat to local fauna
Nest boxes in gardens
Bee hives to help with pollination
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE :
Permaculture approach for our gardens
Organic seeds mainly used
Saving seeds
No pesticide, fungicide or chemical fertilizer
TOURISM
You come to enjoy the amazing and preserved nature of New Zealand. As a major economic sector, tourism has to be developed in a sustainable way.
We do :
Paths on property to access forest and the DOC walking tracks
Promote environmentally friendly tourism
Explaining our own approach
Encourage reducing, reusing and recycling
SUPPLIES
Buying carefully, we pollute less and we encourage suppliers to shift to selling eco-friendly products
We do :
THINK LOCAL :
Firewood from our property
Suppliers chosen according to their proximity and quality
Growing fruits and vegetables to provide food for restaurant, tourists and local community
THINK NATURAL & SUSTAINABLE :
Mostly seasonal food used in restaurant
Most of our cleaning products are environmentally and healthy friendly
Carbon neutral and biodegradable take away products
Steel straws used
THINK ETHIC :
Buying environmentally friendly brands as much as possible
TRANSPORT
Reducing or changing transport can tackle climate change issues and local pollution
We do :
Limit our transport to town for groceries
Limit our suppliers weekly orders
Vehicles with low fuel consumption
Buying of a van for communal transport
SOCIAL
Everyone deserves to be happy and well considered.
We do :
STAFF MANAGEMENT :
Training staff and support in taking responsibility
Accommodation and food provided to staff when required
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP :
Access to essential services : free WIFI, free drinking water, free refilling bottles
Breastfeeding friendly
Providing quality touristic information
Offer discount if use own coffee cup
LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT :
Market every Sunday with locally grown products
Hosting local events
Selling art from local community
Offering jobs to local people preferably
Showers and laundries can be used by locals
Donation to local event and associations