Success Stories
Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter members are always implementing new and innovative sustainable business practices. Check back here regularly to learn about the contributions Charter member businesses are making towards sustainability.
A wet and wild fundraising event
Apr 20, 2009
While rafting could be seen as a low impact activity, Wet n Wild’s senior guide Nick Gambino believes that no matter what the business, there will always be environmental impacts that need managing. Wet n Wild rafting is a founding member of the Charter so sustainable management has been on the agenda for a long time. “We’ve always taken action to ensure our business promotes environmental and social sustainability” says Nick.
Addressing carbon emissions is an important action considering the amount of travel undertaken by the company vehicles when transferring visitors from their accommodation to the rivers. “While offsetting carbon emissions associated with our vehicles is something we may look at in future, we firstly need to reduce these emissions as much as possible. For this reason all our vehicles are maintained to a high standard” says Nick. Other actions taken by the company include having operational and visitor recycling in place, using eco friendly cleaning chemicals and having a policy of zero impact campsites. One area of concern for Wet n Wild is rubbish along the river. “We make a point of collecting rubbish whenever practical as we float down the river” says Nick.
With regard to social sustainability, Wet n Wild gets involved in a range of fund raising activities. One of these was a result of Nick’s involvement in an international race. “I was invited to join a race through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and in order to qualify I had to fund-raise for a charity” says Nick. Wet n Wild organised a charity day on the Kaituna River with all proceeds from the day going directly to the charity. All the equipment was donated by Wet n Wild and guides offered their service for free. “Wet n Wild worked with other businesses, organisations and individuals to make this day a success” says Nick. Wet n Wild is owned by Noel Rusden who together with his team intends continuing with the company’s sustainable development philosophy, which was the reason for joining the Charter as a founding member in the first place.
