Our Sustainability Story

  • Tiaki promise.

    Cultural

    We welcome our visitors with a promise to care for the land, ‘Kaitiakitanga, our communities ‘Tangata Whenua’, 'and our guests ‘Manaakitanga’. We will strive to always exceed our visitors expectations and deliver an authentic visitor experience by showcasing the the culture and heritage of Aotearoa/New Zealand. We will respect visitors from around the world and their unique cultures.

  • Kea Conservation Trust

    Environmental

    Our goal is to become Carbon Neutral and to offer transport in an appropriate EV when passeeger vans become available. As a ‘way of life’ the company has a practice of leaving no rubbish behind, not using single use plastic water bottles, recycling and composting waste. Trips & Transfers supports the work done by the Kea Conservation Trust by way of a donation.

  • happy people

    People and Communities

    To ensure that our tourism offering has a positive impact on the community by enabling accessibility to the region and responsible tourism to thrive. We will attract and support a workforce from the community to ensure that the residents can find employment.

  • Resilience

    Economic

    To be flexible and resilient in difficult economic times whilst supporting ourselves and others. We will offer our drivers a fair hourly rate according to their experience and their responsibilities regardless of our bottom line. Trips and Transfers is also committed to looking after their clients, being fair in our charges and flexible in our delivery. We are keen to improve and innovate and drive sustainable practices in our business offerings. In turn the communities we serve will benefit from our visitors.

Our Commitment to Sustainability explained:

We take great pride in providing our guests from all over the world with a unique insight into Aotearoa/ New Zealand. The following outlines how we are currently minimising our footprint and supporting conservation initiatives. Our clients play a significant role in helping us succeed with these goals.

Client Health & Safety: We adhere to the strict Health and Safety plans that our business has in place. Our guides are experienced and licensed drivers and have the competences required to ensure client wellbeing both on and off the road.

Staff Wellbeing: Our staff are the face of the business. When they work they work because they want to and are fit and healthy to do so. We meet regularly for business and sociable activities.

Consider others: In any thing we do in the outdoors we consider that people will follow on our tracks, so we leave the natural environment how we found it or even better.

Cultural: We are proud to incorporate Te Reo Maori/ the Maori language and cultures into our business and tourism offerings.

Spiritual and Historical: We ensure we know where the places of spiritual and historical significance are and treat them with the utmost respect. We also “teach'“ our guests about the treasures /Taonga of our land.

Protect plants and animals: We treat New Zealand’s forests and birds with care and respect. They are unique and often rare.

Remove rubbish: We plan our tours with the view of minimising rubbish. If we take it in we take it out.

Bury toilet waste: In areas without toilet facilities, we bury toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites and huts.

Keep streams and lakes clean: By putting nothing into the water enables us to use it as we wish.

Keep to tracks: By keeping to a track, we lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants.

Local Production: We buy local produce where possible. We support local independent shops and accommodation on our tours by eating-in local restaurants and cafes and by ordering packed picnic lunches from our accommodation provider.

Local Community Involvement:  Our driver / guides live locally. We are also very proud to support local community projects and initiatives. Where possible, we purchase local products, thus supporting local businesses and reducing freight.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle: If it can be recycled – it is. We minimise vehicle travel and fuel use by employing local people and using local suppliers and businesses as much as possible.

Waste Reduction: Across the board our first option is “if possible do not to use it if you can’t re-use it”. If there is a way to do something without creating waste, this is what we do.

Responsible Tourism:

  • Energy: We ensure that all new electrical equipment is purchased on the basis of its energy efficiency rating.

  • Environment: Part of our concession fees go towards environmental monitoring/biodiversity projects run by DOC (NZ Department of Conservation). We also contribute to the conservation efforts in saving the tuatara as well as a plant restoration project on Banks Peninsula (Akaroa Walk).

  • People: We understand the vital roles that each of our staff members play in the operation and strive to ensure that the work-place is a safe and rewarding one. All staff have reviews with their senior management. The sustainable practises of the company are an integral part of the staff training process.