Join A New Conservation-focused Trip Through New Zealand
EXPLORE THE WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE IN NEW ZEALAND WITH A NEW CONSERVATION-FOCUSED, “PREDATOR-FREE NZ” ITINERARY
Be Part of the Solution and Participate in New Zealand’s Goal to Be Predator-Free
Photo: Kaka bird at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (Credit: Phil Brown)
(Auckland, NEW ZEALAND –May 2017) – New Zealanders are serious about protecting their country and its native and rare birds from introduced predators. With the new “Predator-Free NZ” itinerary, travelers will experience first-hand the country’s dedicated efforts at conservation by staying with local operators some of whom are part of Predator Free NZ, an organization focused on conservation and the elimination of dangers to wildlife in New Zealand .
Booked through New Zealand In Depth, the program allows visitors to directly contribute to New Zealand’s goal of being predator-free by 2050 with many of the programs’ proceeds contributing to the purchase and placement of new traps and creation of local initiatives. Priced starting from $8,800 per person, the 25-day itinerary focuses on viewing New Zealand’s rarest birds and experiencing the country’s conservation activities while enjoying “natural” luxury accommodations in B&Bs, hotels and lodges; some meals; rental car use; and domestic flight from Dunedin to Auckland. Dates can be arranged from November through April.
Program activities are diverse, featuring participation in preservation programs, wildlife tours, boat trips, and visits to some of the country’s most scenic locales. Highlights include:
- Birding on Stewart Island – a full day of rare and endemic birdlife which includes a walk on predator-free Ulva Island to see kaka (bush parrot), kakariki and mohua, followed by a night walk in search of Stewart Island brown kiwi. An added bonus is a pelagic bird watching cruise to see albatrosses including the biggest species, the southern royal and the wandering
- Stay at Blue Duck Station, a working backcountry beef and sheep farm, and participate in their efforts to protect the endemic blue duck from introduced predators. There is also the option of hunting feral pigs and goats whose numbers need to be controlled to protect the native forest and wildlife
- Full-day guided trip with Elm Wildlife on the Otago Peninsula to see albatross and yellow-eyed penguins, the rarest penguins in the world, as well as visit the penguin sanctuary which offers protection and motivates breeding in a predator-free environment
- Visit to Zealandia and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, a 225-hectare area of native forest completely enclosed by predator-proof fencing with a night wildlife discovery walk
- Boat trip on Okarito Lagoon to see many species of birds, contribute to the trapping program, and get involved in the local native plant nursery
- Participation in the stoat trapping program with Wairaurahiri Jet in Southland – where participants can sponsor a stoat trap and receive information on how the trap is performing
- Guided visit to Tiritiri Matangi Sanctuary – home to rare birds like the kokako and saddleback
- Participation in the kiwi program at Cape Kidnappers to discover the elusive kiwi
- Guided tour with Farewell Spit Tours in Golden Bay – with proceeds going towards purchase and placement of new predator traps
For more information, program detail, and advice on travel to New Zealand in general, visit http://www.nzid.co.uk or http://www.newzealand-indepth.co.uk/index.php?cID=624; call +44 1298 74040; or email [email protected].
To learn about Predator Free New Zealand, visit, http://predatorfreenz.org/about-us/
ABOUT NEW ZEALAND IN DEPTH
Now entering its 14th year, New Zealand In Depth is a team of travel experts who are passionate about creating personalized luxury experiences for clients looking for a distinctive and exclusive vacation in the land of the Kiwis. With nearly 50 years of collective experience, the New Zealand In Depth team develops programs that reflect a commitment to understanding client needs on a one-on-one basis. The company are advocates of responsible tourism in New Zealand and work with people on the ground who genuinely care for their local environment and actively take steps to protect local habitats and native flora and fauna. Personalized programs reflect the long-term relationships held with local providers of activities, superior and unusual accommodations, and off-the-beaten-track experiences, allowing New Zealand In Depth to create itineraries with experiences that are often not available through other tour operators while being mindful of their impact on the environment. http://www.newzealand-indepth.co.uk/, +44 1298 74040 Twitter: @NZInDepth Facebook: NewZealandInDepth.
Meryl Pearlstein
MDP Publicity . 917.359.3512
