SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Hydro Attack Ltd is committed to running a sustainable business practice that conserves our physical and social/cultural environment. Our natural environment—such as ecosystems, biodiversity and native flora and fauna—are important to the Otago region and everyone in the local tourism industry. Using these resources in a sustainable manner ensures they’re preserved and protected into the future.
Hydro Attack’s Sustainability Mission Statement
Hydro Attack is built on our values and these values guide our actions. We recognise the need to support our staff and our local community and preserve our natural environment. We can achieve this by making smart choices and undertaking positive steps to be sustainable in all aspects of our business.
THE TIAKI PROMISE
We encourage all our riders to follow the Tiaki Promise while in Tahuna (Queenstown).
Tiaki – Care for New Zealand was created through a collective desire to share a connection to the natural world, inspiring and helping visitors to travel safely and conscientiously.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua (people of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with their own lives. For Māori, every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. These stories form part of their own identities and help to shape their place in the world.
Tiaki invites us all to look at the world through this indigenous lens. To form a deeper connection with place, and to reflect this in our attitudes and behaviours.
To commit to travelling in this way is to take the Tiaki Promise.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Here at Hydro Attack we recognise the importance of –
• Queenstown delivering a world-class visitor experience
• That New Zealand’s tourism sector is prosperous, attracts ongoing investment and looks after its staff
• That the Queenstown tourism sector takes a leading role in protecting and enhancing the environment
• That Queenstown’s tourism sector and the community can work together for mutual benefit
That’s why Hydro Attack have signed up to the Tourism Sustainability Commitment, joining other New Zealand tourism operators who are working to make a positive difference. The aim of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment is to see every New Zealand tourism business committed to sustainability by 2025. Developed by industry for industry, it establishes 8 industry-level sustainability goals and 14 commitments that individual businesses can achieve to help the industry reach our goals around protecting and enhancing the environment and the community on which tourism businesses depend.
Learn more about the Tourism Sustainability Commitment here.
THE ENVIRONMENT
We are a high fuel consumption-based business and we are very aware of the carbon footprint associated with this. While we eagerly await the release of electric Seadoo jet skis in 2025 (and the possibilities this could open up for our business) we aim to ensure that we are constantly efficient and are always considering safe and sustainable practices.
CARBON OFFSETTING WITH SOLAR AID
On climate change, for instance, there are only four things a company like ours that relies on fuel can do: drive down direct emissions year-on-year through fuel efficiency practices; set out to eliminate as much carbon-emitting waste in other aspects of the business as possible; keep an eye on advances in biofuels for marine engines and electric engine technologies; and develop a co2 emissions offset scheme.
To off set some of our carbon comsumption, we make a donation every six months to a carbon off-setting charity.
After extensive research about carbon offsetting options available in New Zealand ( a lot of which is carbon offsetting to prevent landowners cutting down already existing trees) and abroad we decided the best charity we do this through was Solar Aid.
SolarAid is an international charity that combats poverty and climate change. They provide access to solar lights in some of the most remote regions of the world and are building a movement to eradicate the kerosene lamp.
Each lamp in its lifetime (calculated at 3 years) reaches 5 people, saves a family on the poverty line approx $280 NZD, provides light for 1006 extra hours of child study time, averts 1.1 tonnes of c02 emissions, and provides better health for 2 people.
So not only does this awesome charity work to reduce climate change they also improve families’ wellbeing and financial stability as well.
You can learn more about Solar Aid here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTISES
• We share our kiosk space with two other operators, reducing resources and electricity
• We run an online booking and accounts system and online child waiver system – no paper vouchers or invoices required
• We re-use, reduce and recycle whenever possible and have recycling bins in our garage and accessible from the kiosk
• Vessel oil changes are carefully replaced and recycled
• Batteries are recycled and rechargeable devices used whenever possible
• Engines are constantly maintained to a high-performing fuel-efficient standard and rebuilt when possible
• We try to manufacture parts locally when possible such as the shark wings and mufflers
• We have developed and fitted custom-designed silencers to all our sharks. This has significantly reduced our engine noise on the water.
• We encourage customers to take their photos and videos digitally on their phones rather than a physical USB
• We are always looking to upgrade our equipment or vehicles to more energy-efficient solutions. In November 2016 we ungraded our passenger boat’s engines from 2 stroke to more modern and fuel-efficient 4 stroke engines
• Through Maritime NZ, our watercraft manufacturer, and our boat surveyor we keep abreast of any updated processes or procedures that could assist us to be more efficient and sustainable
• We are working with the Seabreacher manufacturer to develop more environmentally friendly machines that can take more passengers and explore future electric options
• We are committed to continuing to offset our carbon emissions for our fuel usage
At Hydro Attack Ltd we care about conserving the world’s natural resources. All bookings are saved in our reservation system so we would encourage our customers to not bring a print-out of their order confirmation or any emails.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Working closely with our community is a key value that the Hydro Attack team support. Hydro Attack strives to develop long term relationships that strengthen year on year and support the work that other local companies do.
In 2019 Hydro Attack is a festival supporter of LUMA – The Southern Lights Project, a creative and inspiring free community event for everyone to enjoy.
We are active in supporting local charities, school groups, sports groups, community events and charity fundraisers with sponsorship, free Hydro Attack rides and merchandise for prizes and auctions. Hydro Attack directors and staff are encouraged to be involved in the community, providing in-kind support and participating in events.
It is also important to us to maintain public relations and co-operation with the Queenstown residential community, Queenstown-Lakes District Council and the wider tourism industry.
Hydro Attack are actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Destination Queenstown and Tourism New Zealand. Hydro Attack understand the value and importance of attracting visitors to Queenstown, maintaining amenities and services, and having a voice in issues relating to the industry.
We also work with the local Queenstown Resort College to support their tourism student development programmes.
