He Āhurutanga Taiao — Draft Environment Action Plan (summary)

This is the web version of the summary of the Draft Tourism Environment Action Plan. You can download the PDF version of the summary and full Draft Tourism Environment Action Plan at:

The ITP aimed to transform tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand to a regenerative model – one that gives back more than it takes from the environment, people and communities.

Leaders from the Tourism industry, Māori, unions, and government worked together, as part of the Environment Leadership Group, to develop this draft action plan.

It was intended to be both practical and transformational.

Why the environment?

• The health of the natural environment is integral to our tourism offering.
• A truly regenerative tourism system will increase the mauri – life force – of our land, climate and people; and in doing so, support abundance for Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse communities, the visitors we host, and our economy.
• Tourism connects people to each other and to the natural world.
• Tourism can raise visitors’ awareness of environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. This can then influence their beliefs and actions – a ripple effect.

The Leadership Group focused on 3 pillars...

1. Understanding and adapting tourism to the impacts of climate change.
2. Transforming Aotearoa New Zealand’s visitor economy to a low carbon emissions industry.
3. Restoring our biodiversity and eco-systems through tourism.

The adaptation pillar (1) was addressed by the Aotearoa Circle’s Tourism Adaptation Roadmap. The Draft Tourism Environment Action Plan focusses on the remaining 2 pillars.

Tīwaiwaka principles

In developing the Environment Action Plan, the Leadership Group drew on the Tīwaiwaka Principles, developed by Rob McGowan (known to many as Pā Ropata).

1. Te Whenua, Papatūānuku, is the source of all life. She is the Mother.
2. We are not the centre of the Universe but we are part of it.
3. The mauri is the web of connections that sustains life.
4. Te tangata, people, are not the masters of the mauri; we are part o the mauri and embraced by it.
5. No individual person is more important than any other.
6. We give special care to the tiniest living creatures.

You can find more information on Tīwaiwaka principles at:

Tīwaiwaka(external link)

The mission

The Leadership Group agreed on a mission to empower the tourism industry to help to restore the mauri of the climate and environment by swiftly achieving carbon zero targets and embracing a regenerative approach. This Plan aimed to pave the way for a future where…

• We have risen to the challenge of restoring our climate and the challenge of preserving biodiversity.
• We have worked with communities to create a picture of what healthy visitation looks like.
• Communities are engaging in regeneration projects that will deliver tangible benefits to locals and visitors alike.
• We have done what is takes to become truly regenerative so the impact visitors and hosts have is overwhelmingly positive.
• Tourism is championing our economy-wide transformation to a regenerative way of living.
• Aotearoa New Zealand is charting the course for others to follow to positive global environmental outcomes.

The Tirohanga Hou

The 6 Tirohanga Hou aimed to deliver on the Leadership Group's aspiration.

The draft Action Plan contained 6 Tirohanga Hou, meaning new outlooks or ways of thinking and doing things.

The Tirohanga Hou, and the actions that sit under each, were deliberately light on implementation detail to create space for others to shape the ideas and direction of this Plan.