TIAKI PROMISE

73 LESS THAN ZERO

The NELSON TASMAN region on New Zealand’s South Island/Te Waipounamu is spoilt when it comes to stunning landscapes, encompassing as it does sparkling coastal stretches and austere and rugged mountains. Little wonder that it is determined to keep these beautiful vistas and diverse natural habitats as pristine as possible by leading from the front in the development of sustainable and conscious tourism practices, including the country’s first zero-carbon itinerary for visitors.

DAY ONE

Arrive at the award-winning NELSON AIRPORT , built with locally sourced timbers and using passive design principles. Head to THE GENTLE CYCLING COMPANY to hire e-bikes and set off on TASMAN’S GREAT TASTE TRAIL to search out scenery and sustenance, or opt to join WINE, ART & WILDERNESS ’s guided tours around wineries, art galleries or the region’s best nature spots. Pick up a hybrid hire car and head to THE FREE HOUSE , the first climate-positive pub in the country, where you should sample brews by THE MUSSEL INN (the eco-conscious cafe/bar/ music venue and brewery in GOLDEN BAY in North West Nelson, pictured below, is also worth a visit on your travels) while feasting on provisions from FRESH CHOICE SUPERMARKET , specialising in local produce (which is labelled with ‘less than 200 kilometres’ stickers to help you buy local). Call it a night in a private room with en suite at the family-owned-and-run YHA NELSON BY ACCENTS , which is perfectly positioned for the NELSON SATURDAY MARKET (above).

DAY TWO

Head to MARAHAU (with a stop off in MOTUEKA to grab an organic, fair trade caffeine fix at the carbon positive-accredited CELCIUS COFFEE ) for a day of fun in ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK with ABEL TASMAN AQUA TAXI and MARAHAU SEA KAYAKS , both of which have been measured and zero-carbon certified, watching seals resting on rocks and listening to birdsong. You could choose a FANTASY ISLAND guided trip, taking in the pristine