Environmental Policy
Our intention as tour operators is to give every visitor a high quality experience on the Whanganui River and its surrounds, exceeding their expectations in every aspect of their journey, without compromising our responsibility to the wellbeing of our natural environment.
We are based at Upokongaro, in the bottom reaches of the Whanganui Awa. We operate 12 months of the year, weather and river conditions permitting, between Taumarunui and Whanganui, a distance of 232 kms with limited road access in the upper reaches of the Awa.
Our tours are scenic, combining our wonderful natural surroundings with our rich cultural historical heritage. As proud tangata whenua (local people of the land) operators we share stories and legends with our visitors, offering insights into life on the Awa, both past and present.
We have focused on providing a safe and high quality experience for a broad range of visitor.
Our Vision
To be THE Whanganui River operators – the peoples choice!
Our Mission Statement
- Ensuring we deliver absolute top quality service in all fields,
- treating all people with respect,
- working hard to maintain our standing in the community,
- and the health and wellbeing of the Awa
- whilst continually exceeding our visitors expectations.
Environmental Plan
We believe as a prominent local operator that Spirit of the River Jet is responsible for leading, guiding and supporting others in sustaining our environment for the future, and also in helping restore the balance from damage previously done.
Running a jetboat as the basis of our tourism ventures is a challenge when it comes to the issue of environmental preservation, but with conscious decisions and commitment to our responsibilities, we believe we are making moves in the right direction and taking others along for the ride!
We have developed an Environmental Plan relevant to our business and welcome your support for this initiative. If you have any more suggestions to help us in preserving and enhancing our precious surroundings, please contact us via our website.
These are the initiatives we undertake on a day to day basis, in our home and work environment -
Recycling – reusable shopping bags, plastic cups, utensils, cardboard orange juice cartons, shopping products in recyclable packaging.
Food leftover from tours is eaten in the home straight away, and food scraps fed to chickens, or composted in the vegetable garden.
Our own homegrown food is used where possible (vegetables, eggs, meat) in our catering and home life.
Rainwater and spring water feed both the house and farm animals on our property.
One of our tours visits an organic B&B, which uses composting toilets, organic coffee and food, and solar hot water, and at times is a great source of enlightenment for visitors wishing to make a difference.
We practise Toitu te Whenua (leave the land undisturbed), and ensure our visitors to follow suit. On all tours we keep to existing tracks, limiting damage to plant and animal life. We also pick up any discarded wrappings etc, and plastic bottles dropped in the Whanganui River.
We buy local products wherever possible – lifejackets and other associated boat equipment, food, fuel and clothing.
We use local businesses wherever possible, reducing transportation time and energy.
Our children take the local bus to local schools.
We have purchased a 1300 cc vehicle for day-to-day use.
We are establishing a wetlands in conjunction with Horizons District Council www.horizons.co.nz . This exciting venture is taking place from a previous wasteland, and we have just commenced planting – 50 harakeke at this stage, to be followed by other natives local to the area. In time we will offer our visitors the opportunity to contribute to sustaining and rejuvenating our local environment by purchasing a native plant/tree to plant in the wetland, and we will provide the GPS coordinates for them to chart progress in the future.
When coordinating large groups, we strongly recommend the use of buses to reduce individual vehicle use. When creating itineraries, we include quotes for bus hire.
We actively involve other local operators to ensure our visitors have an authentic and rounded experience within the region - reducing unnecessary travel.
We have a minimum number policy for all tours which reduces unnecessary fuel and energy usage.
Clothing scraps are used for maintenance cleanups instead of paper products (one sponge/cloth can last the equivalent of 17 rolls of paper towels).
Our jet boat is emissions tested, and we have made several modifications to assist with noise control.
A new inlet manifold reduces revs but gives more torque – resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
Revs are regulated per group – each trip operates at efficient revs.
Only fuel required for each trip (+ 20 litres spare) is carried, to reduce weight and direct fuel usage.
We use 98 unleaded fuel – the most efficient and environmentally friendly fuel available in New Zealand.
Maintenance checks are carried out before and after every trip.
Growth of our business depends on our abilities to minimize or eliminate our impacts on our surroundings. Our ultimate success depends on the environment of NEW ZEALAND, for without a beautiful country, our visitors will cease to come. Our company’s future and the future of our environment are interconnected.
This is the way we live, and in doing so we are educating our children and all who cross our path – to think of the generations to come, and the world they will get to enjoy.
We hope you’ll join with us to help us in achieving our goal.
Social Policy
We are active members of our local community, with 4 children schooled in Whanganui, and one more to come!
We sponsor school galas, local sports clubs and teams, and our family marae, Pungarehu.
Various community projects benefit from our donations – Hospice, Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter Trust, Special Children’s Extravaganza, CanTeen Manawatu.
As members of Pungarehu Marae, we contribute to the upkeep via lawnmowing, attending monthly meetings, and assisting with marae projects. Brent was instrumental in the upgrade to UV treated water supply for the marae, which lifts the water supply to the required standard for hiring the marae to outside groups.
We actively promote and market Pungarehu Marae as an accommodation and culture provider.
A conscious decision has been made to support local businesses where possible – printing, signage, embroidery, website technician, mechanical and engineering firms, supermarkets, Havoc organic coffee supplier, schooling, fuel, rates, insurance.
We recognise other talents from the Whanganui River and surrounds, and promote and include these in our operations where possible and practical – Marae stays, accommodation, hangi and entertainment with tangata whenua, waka tours.
We promote the Whanganui and Ruapehu regions, and direct visitors to other local activities and accommodation, dining, etc, to ensure a positive allround experience.
We collaborate with other local operators to provide the complete visitor experience.
This is our home, and we do what we can to support the foundation of our local community – to make our place a fun place for you to visit.
