We are trying Hard to keep New Zealand Beautiful

First Light Travel acknowledges our responsibility to undertake a journey toward reducing our environmental footprint. We are dedicated to making meaningful changes through various initiatives. In addition to our carbon offset program, we have appointed Danielle Mueth as our Sustainability Manager. Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainability practices and will be crucial in driving our sustainability initiatives forward. 

For us at First Light Travel, the 8th of April 2024 marked another successful tree planting day, helping to offset our clients' carbon emissions. We once again collaborated with the Arrowtown Community for their planting day, and together, we planted an impressive total of 3,000 trees. With over 150 enthusiastic volunteers, the task was completed in just over three hours. It was heartening to see so many happy faces coming down the hill afterward.

Given their proximity to First Light Travel's Queenstown and Arrowtown offices, we found it fitting to extend our support to one of New Zealand's most impactful volunteer environmental organizations, 'Arrowtown Choppers.' This dedicated group focuses on the removal of wilding pines above Arrowtown, hence the name 'Choppers,' and replaces them with native Beech, Ribbonwood, and Totara trees to enrich the area's biodiversity.

In 2015, Robert Lange, in an extraordinary act of generosity, placed four QEII National Trust protective covenants, over 90% of his land, which comprises four former high-country sheep stations between Wanaka and Arrowtown this is now collectively known as Mahu Whenua. Covering a staggering 53,000 hectares (130,965 acres), Mahu Whenua is the largest conservation effort on private land in New Zealand, with Arrowtown as the only residential area bordering it - and we can plant trees on it - what a dude!

This was a fantastic day out with great weather and plenty of happy faces! The event saw an impressive turnout of volunteers, all eager to make a difference. In just over two hours, 2,500 trees were planted, transforming the landscape and contributing significantly to the local ecosystem. The spirit of camaraderie was palpable as people of all ages worked together.

We are committed to respecting today’s environment while creating a better one for tomorrow by minimizing the impact of our activities on New Zealand's natural surroundings. Acknowledging global environmental issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and the loss of habitat and biodiversity, we strive to mitigate our impact, as well as that of our guests. Learn more about our carbon offsetting efforts and how we are simultaneously enhancing New Zealand's beauty!

Last Friday, armed with gardening gloves and good intentions, our office team stepped away from their desks and onto a tree planting site on Coronet Face (just below one of our ski fields - Coronet Peak) to help plant 6000 juvenile beech trees in support of our local volunteer organisation, Arrowtown Choppers.

The Arrowtown Choppers are a volunteer group dedicated to the removing of wilding pines above Arrowtown, and replanting with New Zealand native Beech, Ribbonwood and Totara, to enhance the biodiversity of the area and we love them! To Date 17,000 trees have been planted over 7 years and volunteer numbers as high as ever, it is making a huge difference to the region!

Without large scale funding and control within twenty years 20% of New Zealand will be covered with wilding pines. As wilding conifers spread across our landscapes they: reduce the numbers of plants and animals that are only found in New Zealand.

New Zealand has been described by National Geographic as a 'world in miniature'. New Zealand is a land of incredible natural wonders with a unique ecosystem featuring many species found only on these islands - and we want to keep it that way!