One of New Zealand's remotest luxury lodges is leading the way in Eco Tourism earning another international endorsement.

Peppers Awaroa Lodge, in the Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island, prides itself in sustainability, recycling and living in harmony with its native surroundings and wildlife.

Suzanne Wells, Peppers Awaroa Lodge General Manager, says, "It's a philosophy the whole team embraces and is also part of the guest experience, it's very much part of life at the lodge.  It's due to this team effort we've earned Silver status with EarthCheck, we're also the first in New Zealand to achieve it."

EarthCheck is a world-wide recognised standard for Eco Tourism and sets the benchmarks for environmental awareness and conservation for the international hospitality industry.

Eco Tourism initiatives at Peppers Awaroa Lodge include recycling by composting food scraps and shredded paper for the organic vegetable garden, using bio-degradable cleaners and washing powder, and reducing water and energy consumption.

"Sustainability is a huge part of the lodge's experience and of course our food is as fresh as it can get with everything made on-site, from daily fresh bread to the seasonal dishes our chef creates from the organic vegetable and herb garden," Suzanne says.

"As with all national parks around New Zealand we have to take everything thing out that we bring in, so recycling is common sense as well as an imperative and the more efficient we are the better."

The Lodge already had Bronze status and to achieve Silver had to have a sustainable policy in place and to implement an environmental action plan for proper monitoring and measurements on 10 key performance areas; namely greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency/conservation and management, management of freshwater resources, ecosystem conservation and management, social and cultural management, land use planning and management, air quality protection, wastewater management, waste management, and environmentally harmful substances. 

Peppers Awaroa lodge is nestled in native wetlands and bush and has 26 rooms and suites, it is only accessible by water, foot or air. The lodge is open seasonally, closing in April and reopening in late September each year.  Visit www.peppers.co.nz/awaro a for further details.

ABOUT PEPPERS RETREATS, RESORTS & HOTELS

Peppers is Mantra Group's luxury level brand of stylish accommodation. There are 28 Peppers properties in Australia and New Zealand in regional areas, leisure destinations and metropolitan locations ranging from boutique retreats, deluxe resorts and chic CBD apartments.  There are eight Peppers properties in New Zealand in locations such as Christchurch, Queenstown, Northland, Lake Tekapo, Martinborough, Marlborough Sounds,  with the first Peppers Resort in Fiji due to open late 2013. All offer a level of style and quality to meet the expectations of the most discerning traveller: www.peppers.co.nz

ABOUT MANTRA GROUP

Mantra Group is a leading manager and marketer of hotels and resorts in Australia and New Zealand. The Group owns and operates three well-known and trusted brands - Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree.  With over 112 properties and 15,000 rooms under management, Mantra Group is the second largest accommodation operator within Australia. The Group is positioned to offer both leisure and business style accommodation ranging from self-contained apartments to luxury resorts and retreats. www.mantragroup.com.au

 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Yvette Peverell
yvette.peverell@mantragroup.com.au
+61 7 5631 2543