KEY POINTS:
With carbon footprints and environmental sustainability at the forefront of everybody's minds, the pressure is on companies to rethink their traditional behaviours, with an eye on sending the right message to the public and clients.
With that in mind upmarket eco-lodges around the country are hoping to entice
corporates in their direction when it comes to planning company retreats.
The Ecotourism in New Zealand conference held at the start of the month in Greymouth, stressed the importance of New Zealand's ability to market itself as a conservation-friendly country.
And there are excellent eco-lodges to try, which make no compromise on food and facilities just because they are green.
The Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura, which launched its Tree House accommodation last year, has luxury conference facilities and is doing its bit by running an extensive tree growing programme.
Probably New Zealand's best known eco-lodge, Awaroa Lodge in the Abel Tasman National Park, has hosted a number of New Zealand corporates, bringing both staff and clients to have a truly New Zealand experience. The four-star lodge can accommodate 70, but general manager Allan Forsdick likes to keep conferences to 30.
Forsdick says corporates come in two different groups. A company might organise a stay at the lodge as a treat to high-performing staff or it could be a group of executives who come to be "inspired and provoked" in an atmosphere which makes for good brainstorming sessions. Corporate customers have included a number of communications companies, some airlines and other "big dogs", says Forsdick.
The majority of companies come from either Christchurch or Auckland. The latter fly into Nelson and take a small charter to Awaroa.
What they are really looking for is to give their folks a chance to look at life in a different way," says Forsdick. "We are hopefully firing and inspiring their imagination."
"Visitors enjoy the bird life, native fish and plants at close range and are learning the importance of healthy wetlands in protecting New Zealand's biodiversity," he says.
People shouldn't fear being lectured at when they get there. Information on the area and the way the lodge runs is in the room information brochure and the lodge leaves it at that.
Awaroa generates its own power , as well as growing an organic garden and stocking local food. It has largely been designed by Wellington architect Ian Athfield to make the most of the natural light.
Forsdick dispels any ideas that you have to go easy on the long, hot showers. The lodge, which has a large international customer base, realises that it has to have accommodation to a certain standard to keep people coming back, he says.
"We have great food and great service. It has to be; there is so much competition."
But don't expect to lounge around at this lodge in the Abel Tasman Park. You are expected to make the most of your surroundings. Conference delegates are sent off to explore the marine reserve in two-man kayaks. Guided walks through the park are also laid on with a cultural interpretation.
Conferences are often held in the Harakeke room, a light area conference room looking out on to the award winning wetlands.
Damien O'Connor, Minister of Tourism, has visited several times and is a strong supporter of the lodge, says Forsdick.
Rates per room in peak season are $400 a night for the best room and $320 a night in off-peak times. Conference rates differ.
- Detours, HoS
