Sustainability Initiatives
As one of Northland's largest tourism operators, we understand that what we do has an impact on the environment. Fullers GreatSights is proud to be a founding signatory to the Northland Sustainable Tourism charter. We have a Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award from Qualmark, New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation. This award recognises our environmentally responsible practices.
We are also proud to be licensed by the Department of Conservation to interact with marine mammals. Find out more about marine mammal interaction.
Initiatives we have taken to minimise environmental impact include:
- Supporting local biodiversity protection initiatives like Project Island Song
- Contributing research data and a portion of the fare from Dolphin Eco Experience cruises to the Department of Conservation
- Waste recycling on all vessels and at the Fullers GreatSights office
- Where possible, pumping effluent from our boats at land-based facilities instead of at sea in legal discharge areas
- Water conservation initiatives, including using water catchment from the workshop roof to clean coaches, and fitting hand pieces to all hoses
- Installating spinners on vessel engines to reduce oil consumption
- Coach Driver Fuel Incentive, encouraging drivers to improve their efficiency
- Using the E-Road Fleet System, a GPS system allowing us to better monitor speed and reduce fuel usage
- Installing speed restrictors on all coaches to cut fuel consumption
- Commitment to replace all coaches with the latest exhaust emission reduction technology. We currently have a modern fleet of coaches complying with the Euro 5 emissions standards.
- Continuing education for guides about the region's cultural and natural history, and the inclusion of that education as part of our tours
- Commitment to working with like-minded sustainable businesses in Northland