Kaikoura, New Zealand - EcoTourism

5 star rating

April 15, 2008

James E. 48 reviews Send Message | Add to Friends

Eco Travel City Risen From The Ashes

Around 20 years ago the small city of Kaikoura, located on the beautiful east coast of the South Island of New Zealand was in ruins.

For over a century their waters were home to the lucrative whaling industry. After whaling was outlawed in the region, the city of Kaikoura was left financially depressed, and the decaying buildings and declining local population foreshadowed the end of this coastal town. What happened next was amazing. Several of the local Maori people (New Zealand's indigenous population) had an idea to reinvent the town with their cultural philosophy of sustainability and living in accordance with natural systems.

Instead of killing the whales, the Maori had the idea of teaching visitors to the small town about sustaining the marine population. And not just the whales, but the amazing and rare Albatross, the Dusky Dolphins, Fur Seals and more. Several Maori families mortgaged their homes and began to build businesses around the town that were all about respecting the beauty around them. The town began to prosper, and they in turn developed more programs.

Today, you can come to Kaikoura, swim with dolphins, help replant indigenous forests, and be surrounded by people who understand that they owe their city's rebirth to the values they placed on maintaining and renewing the natural beauty around them.

Kaikoura is one of those places on the planet that remind you of how lucky we are to be here. If you find yourself on vacation in NZ or Australia, a stop by this coastal city will not disappoint. Bring your carbon offsets though, it's about a 12-hour flight from the west coast of California!

James E.'s keywords: dolphins, vacation, travel, eco city, sustainable travel, whale watching, albatross, birds, nz, kayaking

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