Toitu te whenua
In English: Leave the land undisturbed.
When touring New Zealand, we strongly urge you to practice "no trace" camping, tramping or biking
Please, try to follow our Environmental Care Code at all times to minimise the impact on our natural heritage:
Protect plants and animals
Treat New Zealand’s forests and birds with care and respect. They are unique and often rare.
Remove rubbish
Litter is unattractive, harmful to wildlife and can increase vermin and disease. Plan your visits to reduce rubbish, and carry out what you carry in.
Bury toilet waste
In areas without toilet facilities, bury your toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites, and huts.
Keep streams and lakes clean
When cleaning and washing, take the water and wash well away from the water source. Because soaps and detergents are harmful to water-life, drain used water into the soil to allow it to be filtered. If you suspect the water may be contaminated, either boil it for at least 3 minutes, or filter it, or chemically treat it.
Take care with fires
Portable fuel stoves are less harmful to the environment and are more efficient than fires. If you do use a fire, keep it small, use only dead wood and make sure it is out by dousing it with water and checking the ashes before leaving.
Camp carefully
When camping, leave no trace of your visit.
Keep to the track
By keeping to the track, where one exists, you lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants.
Consider others
People visit the back country and rural areas for many reasons. Be considerate of other visitors who also have a right to enjoy the natural environment.
Respect our cultural heritage
Many places in New Zealand have a spiritual and historical significance. Treat these places with consideration and respect.
Enjoy your visit
Enjoy your outdoor experience. Take a last look before leaving an area; will the next visitor know that you have been there?
Protect the environment for your own sake, for the sake of those who come after you, and for the environment itself.