Our mission

We aim to provide our guests with an experience we believe to be of the “real New Zealand ”, where you can listen to the song of the birds, the gurgle of the river and the quiet of the day.  Where the air is fresh, water is clean and pure and the night sky is a canopy of jewels.  We want this to be more than a superficial illusion - a real and memorable experience close to nature.

To ensure that this is not just for our guests, but also for the generations to come, we try to follow sustainable practices.

We invite you to join us in following practices which take into account our beautiful but fragile environment.

Energy Efficiency

Where practical we use efficient light bulbs.

We use gas for hot water heating in the chalets.

Hot water cylinders are insulated.

We harvest wood from our own trees on the property (often the remains of storm damaged kanuka) and use wood that washes down the stream during flood for our wood burners (with wetback) and BBQs.

Our energy supplier generates over 50% of total energy expenditure from renewable generation resources such as hydro and geothermal resources.

Natural ventilation and cooling.

Water Conservation

We encourage our guests to reuse towels to save water and power.

We have resource consent to draw water fro the Te Mata River which is gravity fed through 2 solid filters (to 0.5 micron and a UV sterilizing system to all cottages and chalets).

Toilets in the chalet are dual flush.

Reminders in bathrooms about the need for water conservation.

We daily monitor water consumption to ensure there are no leaks or wastage.

Conservation

With 90% of our 4.2 ha property being native bush, we are carbon negative (absorb more carbon than we generate).

Our garden and orchards are organic.  Our fruit orchards were planted with the intent to share the harvest with our guests.   We grow herbs – parsley, rosemary and mint - for our guests in planters next to the cottages and chalets.

We use earth-friendly cleaners, toilet paper, guest soaps and shampoos and biodegradable bin liners.

All leaves and lawn clippings are collected and recycled into garden mulch and used on our gardens.

We annually add new plantings of native trees and shrubs to replace or add to existing plantings.  This increases the food source for native birds and increases the local populations.

We educate our guests on the shellfish gathering limits and protocols as well as other conservation issues in New Zealand, especially on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Waste Management

We compost our vegetable waste, recycle all paper, glass, cardboard, tins, plastics through the TCDC recycling system and endeavour to recycle and reuse whenever possible.

A formal audit of waste is conducted each year to assess our practices.

Our septic system and soak field has Environment Waikato consent and is monitored by Environment Waikato.

Global and community attitudes

When possible, we serve organic or fair trade products.

Breakfast baskets include fruit from our own orchards, or locally grown and in season.  Bread and muffins are homebaked.

We support local business and encourage our guests to do the same.

Purchases of soft and hard furnishings are made after consideration of their source.  We try to support local business and are sensitive to workers pay and conditions and environmental impact when considering buying cheap overseas goods.

We participate in our local conservation groups: Thames Cost Kiwi Care (kiwi monitoring and predator control), Thames Coast Protection Society (Pohutukawa planting and care) Department of Conservation (assist with track clearing).

Warwick is a member of the local Fire Brigade and Kathryn is chairperson of board of trustees of the local primary school.

Both Kathryn and Warwick are keen to understand the local history and heritage.  Both have done Te Reo (Maori language) classes, and in 2009 completed the Mauri Ora courses run by Ngati Tamataro through the Wanaga o te Aotearoa.  We have information about the local history in our guest booklets.  We are happy to share our knowledge with our guests.

Sharing our commitment

How can you share our commitment to conservation and the preservation of our beautiful natural environment?

Learn more about the New Zealand flora and fauna by going on the Native Tree Trail.  A guide is in our guest booklet, and trees and plants are clearly labelled.

You are welcome to borrow books from our guest library (in the office) if you would like to learn more about the plants, animals or minerals in our area.

Take a little less time in the shower and turn off taps when not in use (eg cleaning teeth).  Always check for drips and if you notice a leaky tap or running toilet, please let Warwick or Kathryn know right away.

Turn off all lights and electronic equipment when not required and when going out.

If you have travelled from overseas, we have a tree planting programme to help minimize your carbon footprint.  Talk with Kathryn or Warwick about how this programme works.