What you can do to support New Zealand's green future as a visitor
2025-09-10
As one of Oceania's most visited nations, New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes, beautiful beaches, and lush native forests draw in thousands of visitors across the globe. Being a choice tourist location comes with needed work and responsibility, especially with regard to its green future.
As a country, New Zealand has enacted the Zero Carbon Act, which hopes to make the country a net-zero carbon emission nation by 2050. However, it takes more than just national laws and business readjustments to fast-track progress in this regard. Visitors can also be active contributors to New Zealand’s green future, and in this article, we will look at how visitors can do just that.
#1: Choose eco-friendly transport options
Commuting from your lodge or hotel to a choice tourist spot involves transportation, and some forms of transport contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Transport options that use fossil fuels, although the most popular, are notorious for carbon emissions.
As a visitor, you can help by renting hybrid or electric vehicles from services like GO Rentals or Avis. If the distances are short, you could choose to walk or cycle to the location. Walking and cycling are often considered refreshing exercises for people visiting places like Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, thanks to scenic landscapes, historic spots, and beautiful gardens. If you must fly, it's best to support airlines that offer carbon offset programs.
#2: Support Sustainable Businesses
From the food you eat on your trip to the souvenirs you purchase, every dollar you spend can either support sustainability or undermine it. One of the ways you can support these businesses is by choosing local, organic, and seasonal produce. Several agricultural products come from farms where sustainable practices are not upheld, and some farm harvests are preserved with technology and methods that are not so eco-friendly.
If you are a heavy user of the digital space, you can opt to use only the services of firms and digital corporations that practice carbon-aware computing. Carbon-aware computing requires firms to adjust their operations to minimise their carbon footprint.
#3: Minimise waste and how you use plastic products
In order to meet the Zero Carbon Act obligation by 2050, New Zealand has already made a move by banning single-use plastics in the country since 2023. However, as a traveller, you can still make a significant difference. To avoid excessive waste, you can carry your own shopping bag from home or use a reusable water bottle. Instead of buying travel-sized plastic products, refill your toiletries.
Also, New Zealand already has a clear system for recycling and composting. If you have an eco-aware guide, you can ask about how to sort your waste correctly during your trip.
#4: Respect nature and wildlife
In New Zealand, you'll find unique plant and animal species found nowhere else. Interestingly, the health and numbers of these species are fragile and require protection.
Visitors can be a part of this in several ways. One way is to stay on marked trails to avoid damaging native plants or nesting areas. Many visitors are in the habit of feeding or interacting with wildlife without guidance, but this can be detrimental to wildlife because these animals can be exposed to foreign bodies that can threaten their health.
#5: Join conservation activities
Do you want to add a lasting legacy to your travel experience? Conservative activities like cleaning up beaches, joining native tree planting groups, or pest control projects that mitigate invasive species can be impactful options.
As a visitor, you can also visit or donate to sanctuaries and conservation parks, such as Zealandia or Tiritiri Matangi, which preserve some unique wildlife.
#6: Learn and respect Māori environmental values
The Māoris, New Zealand’s indigenous natives, have an intrinsic connection with nature and learning about their indigenous culture can help you engage with nature respectfully. For instance, the kaitiakitanga culture teaches you how to guard and protect the environment. This is because the Māoris have a deep sense of spiritual connection with the land. For most travellers, upon returning home after interacting with Māori culture, they have a deeper respect for the environment.
How Tourists Support Green Travel
The natural beauty of New Zealand is one of its greatest treasures, and protecting it is everyone's responsibility; the government, businesses, and visitors included.
As a visitor, you can support the country’s green future by respecting nature and wildlife, supporting sustainable businesses, using eco-friendly transport options, and minimising plastic waste, among others. Travelling to New Zealand is not just about enjoying the land but also about honouring and preserving it.
