Environmentally conscious travel and eco-tourism is a hot topic, not only in New Zealand, but all over the globe, luxury travellers are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment and many are seeking eco-friendly experiences and accommodation driven by conservation.
In November 2018, Tourism New Zealand launched its “Tiaki Promise” Campaign, which encourages conscious traveling throughout New Zealand, in regards to not only a traveler’s environmental impact, but also the impact that traveling through a country can have on local communities and facilities.
New Zealand is known for its pristine scenery and beautiful landscapes and it is important that the country is cared for to ensure this is maintained. The public service department responsible for conserving New Zealand’s environment and cultural history, the Department of Conservation, does a fantastic job, but there are also a number of private efforts which also make a significant contribution to the future of New Zealand’s history and environment.
Here at MajorDomo, we are experts in Luxury Tourism and are very proud to offer two very special properties which are leading the way in conservation, offering an environmentally-conscious option for luxury travellers: both homes operate privately funded conservation work, driven by a passion for the environment and providing guests the opportunity to stay in eco-friendly ultra-luxury accommodation amongst native flora and the sound of native birdsong.
Mahu Whenua is an enormous property, covering 130,000 acres of land between Wanaka and Queenstown – the property was purchased as four adjoining high-country stations as the owner felt it presented a great opportunity to look at an environmental project on an exceptionally large scale in New Zealand. As with Piwakawaka Point, the owner is committed to repairing the damage caused by decades of farming and re-instating the native habitats which would have prevailed in years gone by. In support of the conservation work, the owner of Mahu Whenua placed covenants on over 90% of the property in order to ensure that the conservation efforts are not reversed in the future. These covenants are protected under the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.
To date, Mahu Whenua has planted over 1.3 million native plants, including over 40,000 Manuka trees. Beehives are dotted along the valley and encourage the distribution and pollination of planted natives and breed and release programs for native birdlife (Weka and Pukeko) are also in place. An extensive pest eradication project is reducing the number of introduced species that are a threat to the ground-dwelling birdlife on site. Many native birds are already rebounding naturally following the extensive planting project, and guests thoroughly enjoy watching the birds flying on the thermal drafts from the huge picture windows in the living room.
Given the unprecedented scale of the project in New Zealand, The University of Otago undertake research on the property, creating a fantastic partnership which allows a unique opportunity to see how theories about conservation and restoration work out in practice. Research into the success of this conservation project, can in the future, improve our understanding of the best methods to use in recovering New Zealand’s native environments.
Coordinating a project of this scale is no small feat, and it truly highlights the dedication to conservation on behalf of the owner and his team that this project continues to develop.
Guests at Mahu Whenua can opt to take an educational orientation tour of the property, and learn more about the conservation efforts that take place. There are also a range of other experiences, including horse riding, helicopter flights, and self-guided hiking and e-biking trails which can be explored which will lead you close to some of the planting work, or the breeding enclosures.
Be the first to know the latest news and special offers from MajorDomo
© 2026 MajorDomo. Website by Webstudio
