New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries on earth, and undoubtedly, the best way to explore it is by road-tripping.
However, for all its jaw-dropping mountains, incredible beaches, verdant forests and pristine waterways, the country is currently ranked only 25th in the Global Sustainability Index.
Frankly, this doesn’t seem to fit. So, as tourists, we should do everything we can to catapult Aotearoa closer to Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, which are respectively number one, two, and three on the list.
But how do we go about doing that?
Here are six tips we should all embrace when planning an eco-friendly road trip in New Zealand.
- Hire an eco-friendly vehicle
While road-tripping, renting a hybrid or electric vehicle (EV) is one of the best ways to minimise your carbon footprint.
Both types of vehicles generate reduced levels of emissions compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicles, for instance, have zero exhaust emissions, while hybrid cars produce less, thanks to their use of electrical power to supplement what they gain from fuel sources.
Ultimately, if you explore the North or South Island in either of these types of vehicles, it will do much less damage to the country’s environment than if you take a ‘regular’ car.
If you are not familiar with what’s involved, here is how to drive a hybrid car.
- Plan the most efficient routes to drive
Regardless of what car you take on a road trip around New Zealand, the more you drive it, the more emissions it will produce. You will also need greater amounts of fuel or electricity for refilling or recharging.
While you will naturally want to see as much of the country as you can, you should aim to do as little driving as possible.
Subsequently, try to take the most direct routes between destinations. Alternatively, look for scenic routes that maximise your travel experience without adding extra kilometres to your journey.
It is also worth using apps like Google Maps or Waze to find the most fuel-efficient routes and reduce the chance of your journey being prolonged by getting lost.
- Follow ‘Leave No Trace’ principles
New Zealand is a popular tourist destination, with over 5 million people coming to the country every year.
Unfortunately, many Kiwis believe the sheer volume of these visitors is having a negative impact on the country’s environment, with some citing degraded water quality and the loss or injury of native species as being major concerns.
As a tourist, it is important to follow ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. This means packing out what you bring into any destination you visit. You should also stick to marked trails when hiking and roads while driving and respect local guidelines about where you can and can’t go.
Overall, New Zealand’s wildlife is incredibly unique, with many species found nowhere else in the world. So, by honouring ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, you will help to maintain the pristine beauty of its national parks and wilderness areas.
- Use as many reusable Items as you can
One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce while road-tripping in New Zealand is to carry as many reusable items with you as you can.
Rather than plastic bags, use eco-friendly grocery bags instead. Moreover, as New Zealand’s tap water is drinkable, it is also worth carrying a sturdy reusable water bottle, while a cutlery set will reduce the number of disposable knives and forks you throw away.
Other reusable items you can use are food containers, straws, solar power battery chargers, and menstrual cups, all of which can reduce your carbon footprint.
- Be mindful of your water and energy consumption
When you are not paying for water or energy it is easy to not pay attention to how much you use. However, you should be mindful of your levels of consumption of both whilst on your travels.
Consider staying in eco-friendly accommodations, which are designed to promote sustainable travel. Wherever you choose to stay, try to take shorter showers, turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and conserve water as much as possible.
- Camp Responsibly
If you’re planning on camping during your New Zealand road trip, you should commit to doing so ethically and responsibly.
Throughout the country, there are many responsible freedom camping zones you can stay at. So, it is worth finding ones that offer amenities like solar power and composting toilets.
As tempting as it might be, you should also avoid camping in wild areas where it’s not allowed. Instead, follow local guidelines on where you can camp.
Additionally, if you’re travelling in a campervan, use designated dump stations to dispose of wastewater as doing this will safeguard soil and waterways.
- Support Local & Sustainable Businesses
Lastly, when travelling around New Zealand, try to support as many local and sustainable businesses as you can, including farmer’s markets and those that commit to eco-friendly practices.
When selecting places to stay, eat, or visit, look for labels like Qualmark’s Gold Sustainable Tourism Award to help you identify them.