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  • Before You Travel to New Zealand, Read About the Tiaki Promise

    Pat Aspiras
    Pat Aspiras
    Last updated 14 Apr 2021
    Image credits: @veronikalndr, @southerndiscoveries, @te_puia
    New Zealand is a place with a deep connection to the land and strong culture of guardianship.
    In the past years, New Zealand has seen a huge boom in their tourism and like all emerging tourist hotspots, it soon experienced challenges including overseas visitors involved in road accidents, poor visitor behaviour, littering and overcrowding. In order to prevent such from worsening, Tourism New Zealand as well as other private and public sector organisations came together to create the Tiaki Promise—a global goodwill campaign to inform visitors of what they need to know before they arrive in the country.
    Take the Tiaki Promise and be one of New Zealand’s guardians. Image credits: @purenewzealand
    Take the Tiaki Promise and be one of New Zealand’s guardians. Image credits: @purenewzealand
    Tiaki in Māori simply means “to guard or care for people and place.” The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now, and for future generations, and encourages visitors to take an active part in being one of New Zealand’s guardians.
    The full pledge of the Tiaki Promise reads, “While travelling in New Zealand I will care for land, sea, and nature, treading lightly and leaving no trace. I will travel safely, by showing care and consideration for all and respecting culture by travelling with an open mind.”
    Make a promise today to protect the future.
    Vow to protect New Zealand’s land, sea and nature. Image credits: @purenewzealand
    Vow to protect New Zealand’s land, sea and nature. Image credits: @purenewzealand
    The Tiaki Promise is not a list of to-do things, but rather a mindset that is geared towards caring for the land more properly. 
    Looking forward to travelling to New Zealand? Take the Tiaki Promise into heart and remember the following:
    • Drive carefully.
    • Be prepared. Check the weather and be responsible for your safety when going outdoors. Ensure that you’re fully equipped for any activity you’re going to do.
    • Show respect. Help preserve traditions by showing appreciation for the local culture as well as the people in it. Feel at home with Kiwi hospitality and treat people the way you would want to be treated.
    • Protect nature by being careful of what you bring into the country. Refrain from using single-use items such as plastic items and coffee cups. Keep your distance when encountering local wildlife and don’t feed animals!
    • Keep NZ clean! New Zealand is undoubtedly a beautiful country. Don’t drop rubbish anywhere and make sure you dispose of it properly.
    Once you’ve made a commitment, head onto these activities as you practise the Tiaki Promise in New Zealand:

    1. Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour 
    2. Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown or Te Anau by Southern Discoveries 
    3. SkyTower Auckland 
    4. Te Puia Day Tour

    1. Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour 

    Take a journey to Middle Earth in this Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour. Image credits: @veronikalndr
    Take a journey to Middle Earth in this Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour. Image credits: @veronikalndr
    Calling all fans of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join a journey through the Shire. Step into the quaint enchanting village located in the heart of the Waikato region and be transported to Middle Earth where lush green pastures await you. 
    Hop on a 2-hour bus ride and drive through The Hobbiton Movie Set where your guide shows you the exact iconic filming locations such as the Hobbit House, Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, and The Mill. Discover how movie magic transformed 1,250 acres of sheep farmland into a well-loved movie set.
    Tour around the famed 1,250-acre movie set and have a magical experience. Image credits: @hobbitontours
    Tour around the famed 1,250-acre movie set and have a magical experience. Image credits: @hobbitontours
    Cap off this sensational experience with a complimentary exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage at the Green Dragon Inn or stay for an unforgettable meal.

    2. Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown or Te Anau by Southern Discoveries 

    Hop on and explore Milford Sound!
    Hop on and explore Milford Sound!
    Explore the beautiful fjord of Milford Sound on a full-day tour from Queenstown or Te Anau on comfortable glass roof coaches with spacious seats. Get front-row seats to the marvellous scenic landscape ahead of you and embrace nature as you soak in its majestic mountain peaks and cliffs and pristine waters.
    Breathtaking views await you as you tour around Milford Sound! Image credits: @southerndiscoveries
    Breathtaking views await you as you tour around Milford Sound! Image credits: @southerndiscoveries
    You’ll pass by picture-perfect locations along the way like Lake Wakatipu, Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knob Flats, and The Chasm, so make sure you have your camera ready with you! Who knows, you might also be greeted by wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. Once at Milford Sound, enjoy a seamless sightseeing cruise along the calm waters and set off to explore the region that Rudyard Kipling called the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. 
    This day tour package may be booked with a picnic lunch, which includes a wrap with selected meat and salad for standard option, cheese and crackers/vegan option: soup, seasonal fresh fruit, crisps, cookie, small chocolate bar.

    3. SkyTower Auckland Tickets 

    Be king or queen of the world as you tower over Auckland’s CBD at SkyTower!
    Be king or queen of the world as you tower over Auckland’s CBD at SkyTower!
    Marvel at the panoramic views of Auckland from the heart of the city. Standing tall at 328 metres, Sky Tower remains an icon of Auckland’s skyline for over 20 years.
    Get an unobstructed view of up to 80km away and observe the city in panoramic 360˚ view from 220m high above street level. Spot landmarks, volcanoes and other historical locations within the greater Auckland area. Enjoy free Wi-Fi connection and share your unbelievable views with friends and family.
    Gather up your courage and try SkyWalk! Image credits: @kingoffoodtimesofficial
    Gather up your courage and try SkyWalk! Image credits: @kingoffoodtimesofficial
    If you’re in Sky Tower for the dining experience, head into the Sky Tower - Orbit 360˚ Dining revolving restaurant. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can jump off the tower with Sky Jump or walk around the 1.2-metre wide platform with SkyWalk!

    4. Te Puia Day Pass

    Make your trip memorable when you visit Te Puia! Image credits: @te_puia
    Make your trip memorable when you visit Te Puia! Image credits: @te_puia
    This day tour to Te Puia will surely be the highlight of your Rotorua trip when you experience Māori culture and visit Te Puia’s geothermal wonderland including Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere!
    Let off some steam as you explore over 60 hectares along the Te Whakarewarewa geyser terrace and catch sight of geysers, mud pools, natural bush and steam vents in the area with a personal guide. Then head onto the Kiwi Conservation Centre to glimpse on two of New Zealand’s iconic kiwi birds. 
    Take on a cultural immersion with the local Māori. Image credits @te_puia
    Take on a cultural immersion with the local Māori. Image credits @te_puia
    Make memories of a lifetime as you get welcomed by the local Māori and watch them perform the powerful welcoming Haka ceremony. Discover more about the rich Māori culture with their live demonstrations of traditional wood carving, stone and bone carvings, and flax-weaving as well as with an informative exhibition at a model of a Pre-European Māori Village. 
    The pass is good for the whole day with guided tours running twice per day at 10.30am and 1.30pm, lasting for 2 hours.