15 May 2019
Planting the seed of sustainability at TRENZ with Trees That Count
Delegates at TRENZ 2019 are leaving a legacy of over 600 native trees to benefit the New Zealand environment, as the
result of a partnership with Trees That Count. A tree is being planted in each delegate’s name to commemorate their
attendance at New Zealand’s biggest annual tourism and trade event.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa, who manages and produces TRENZ on behalf of the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust, has
partnered with Trees That Count, a national campaign that aims to bring together businesses and everyday Kiwis to help
plant 200 million native trees.
As over 600 TRENZ delegates set off for their Activity Afternoon earlier today to sample the local tourism offerings,
they were moved to discover a note in their picnic lunches explaining that a native tree has been planted for each of
them.
“Ensuring the entire tourism industry is sustainable is a key component of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment, and funding native trees is a great way for visitors and the tourism industry to give back to our environment and
benefit from the results,” says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of TIA.
“This year’s TRENZ is going to be the most environmentally sustainable one yet, and that’s thanks to our partnerships
with organisations such as Trees That Count and the Department of Conservation.”
Trees That Count Chief Executive Adele Fitzpatrick says that our breathtaking forests and native trees in city areas are
part of the New Zealand tourism experience.
“Visitors don’t come here to shop, they come here for our spectacular scenery and unique flora and fauna. Trees That
Count is on a mission to see millions more native trees planted throughout New Zealand and we’re thrilled to partner
with TIA. We hope their leadership inspires tourism operators throughout New Zealand to consider funding native trees as
part of their own commitment to improving Aotearoa’s environment.”
The partnership with Trees That Count is just one of TIA’s efforts to create a sustainable event. The organization is
also working with the Department of Conservation and Rotorua Canopy Tours to arrange pest trapping with TRENZ delegates
on Monday, inviting delegates to come and help set and bait pest traps in a native, untouched patch of forest near
Rotorua. The results of this week’s trapping efforts have come in, with 51 pests on the first night that have been
recorded as trapped. As of Wednesday morning, another 42 pests had been trapped.
Canopy Tours General Manager Paul Button says TRENZ has had a fantastic conservation and sustainability focus this year,
and it was great to see delegates helping to make a difference.
"We are stoked that TRENZ made conservation a core focus for New Zealand's annual tourism hui. It sends a powerful
message to the country of the important role tourism operators can play in conservation,” says Mr Button.
"We’re really pleased with the trapping results, and that more of the Dansey Reserve is on the way to being
predator-free. We feel that the programme really helped to demonstrate the value of sustainability and conservation to
TRENZ attendees."
Find out more about TRENZ 2019’s sustainability initiatives here.
ENDS