KAITIAKITANGA AND ECO-RESPONSIBILITY
SURF | SUP | KAYAKS + BOAT TOURS
Kaitiakitanga guardianship and conservation of the land
SurfSup Kayaks has long invested in the moral pursuit of Kaitiakitanga around the islands overlooking the beach town of Whangamata. Whenuakura island in particular is a wondrous attraction created by nature that would be an experience to kayak whilst on your travels through the Coromandel. Due to the wishes of the local Iwi who hold ownership of the islands, and the Department of Conservation that have a mutual obligation to preserve the island's flora and fauna that call it home; the island is a wildlife sanctuary.
Kaitiakitanga is the guardianship and conservation of the land. A unification of the natural World and its inhabitants. It does not focus on ownership, but on authority and responsibility, thus utilising its benefits whilst prioritising the sustainability of the environment.
Anyone can be considered a Kaitiaki (Guardian) anywhere you go, whether you are travelling to new locations or nestling in a paradise. The simple quest is to protect the longevity of a sustainable world.
We are amidst new generations that will need to grow up knowing how to protect and conserve our environment and resources; Surfsup looks to spread knowledge to our youth regarding reusability and limited waste known as the Eco-Project.
Tunaiti Kaitiaki Group
With the idea of preserving our local islands, SurfSup help to start the Tunaiti Kaitiaki group which aims to protect the Whangamata Wild Life Sanctuary so our next generations can enjoy them.
For the last 2 years the group formed by local operators, community and the local Iwi has been working on researching the fauna and flora of the islands, pest control and enforcing no landing policies to reduce the tourism impact.
For more details about the islands, volunteer work and future plans, check our Tunaiti Kaitiki Ropu page here.
Single Plastic use
All our processes aim to reduce the amount of plastic utilized within the company. We have a no single plastic policy within our operation, avoiding the use of plastic packaging as much as possible.
We commit to sort and separate all waste generated for our operations, with special focus on soft plastic from packaging which is separated and discarded correctly to one of our partners.
End of Life Life Jackets, Wetsuits and Kayaks programs
SurfSup is continuously working on alternatives to end of life equipment. Most of the equipment used in our operations is hard to recycle. They need to be sorted, graded, decommissioned (remove hardware) to then be recycled.
We are currently working with partners to recycle our old kayaks and wetsuits transforming them into new products.
Reduce
In order to reduce our environmental impact we have installed energy saving bulbs within our premises and have started monitoring our power usage. We noticed a positive change since.
Another initiative was in regards of cleaning our gear. Instead of hosing it down we started using buckets with Eco friendly cleaning products to reduce water consumption.
SEAWEEK - Cleaning our Island and waterways
Our staff is 100% committed to keep our whenua protected. Some of our initiatives include collecting all rubbish found around the coast line surrounding our local islands.
We have recently started a collaboration with Seaweek, where we will set a date for a community beach clean up during March of each year. Their website offers a lot of nature content well worth exploring. If you are interested to learn more, check out their page Creature Content.
Beyond that we have a commitment to keep all land around our operation clean, not only but not dumping rubbish but also educating visitors on best practices.
With these small initiatives we ensure minimal impact of our operation and over improvement of the local area.
Donate a tree - Whangamatā Ridges Mountain Bike Park - Planting Project
GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki is grounded in the values of kaitiakitanga; caring for and protecting the land, sea, and community for future generations. We invite visitors, locals and businesses to support Hauraki Coromandel. Be part of the GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki story.
How it Works
Choose a site and donate or gift $10 to plant a tree, with $1 supporting the vision of a predator-free Hauraki Coromandel and helping protect biodiversity.
Chosen site: Whangamata Ridges Mountain Bike Park
Why Plant Here:
- Enhance the biodiversity of this popular mountain biking destination, making the park an even more vibrant and attractive spot for nature lovers and riders.
- Support replanting native species surrounding the trails, ensuring a healthy long-term ecosystem.
- Contribute to the volunteer-driven efforts that keep the park thriving for locals and visitors alike.
By supporting this planting project, your $10 will provide 1 tree planted and help to ensure that Whangamatā Ridges remains a top-tier mountain biking destination, providing a fun, biodiverse experience for riders while contributing to this stunning area's regeneration.
TO DONATE CLICK HERE.
For more details about this initiative go to The Coromandel.
TIAKI PROMISSE
Tiaki – Care for New Zealand was created through a collective desire to share a connection to the natural world, inspiring and helping visitors to travel safely and conscientiously. In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua (people of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with their own lives. For Māori, every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. These stories form part of their own identities and help to shape their place in the world. Tiaki invites us all to look at the world through this indigenous lens. To form a deeper connection with place, and to reflect this in our attitudes and behaviors. To commit to travelling in this way is to take the Tiaki Promise.
