Haka Tours - A Sustainable Collaboration

Haka Tours x My Native Forest: A Sustainable Collaboration

Haka Tours, New Zealand’s No.1 tour company, has long been committed to sustainability. When they partnered with My Native Forest, it was a natural fit, aligning with their mission to become true Kaitiaki—guardians of Aotearoa’s environment. With over 500 native trees funded so far, their partnership is making a tangible impact, sequestering more than 64 tonnes of CO2-e. Co-founder Mitchell sat down with Jenny Power, Responsible Product & Business Manager at Haka Tours, to discuss what this investment in regenerating New Zealand’s native bush means for their business and their future.

Jenny began by explaining the core of Haka Tours. “We are Haka Tours, NZ’s No.1 Tour Company. We lead small group tours around Aotearoa, sharing cultural knowledge and experiences through our expert Kiwi guides,” she said. “Our mission is to foster deeper connections between our manuhiri (guests), our land, and our culture through exceptional travel experiences. The name Haka Tours was chosen to reflect this purpose, and the cultural education that underpins all our tours.”

This sense of cultural guardianship was key to their decision to prioritise sustainability and environmental initiatives. “Sustainability and the environment have always been a huge part of our company culture,” Jenny explained. “One of the three guiding principles we operate under is Kaitiakitanga—the concept that we are guardians of the connection between people and the natural world. We are proud of Aotearoa and want our guests to experience its beauty while leaving only footprints behind.”

However, the nature of their business presents challenges. “It’s difficult to be 100% environmentally friendly when your business involves driving bus groups around the country,” she said candidly. “But we see every part of our operations as an opportunity for improvement. From eventually transitioning to electric hybrid vehicles to advocating for New Zealand’s environment and, of course, investing in My Native Forest to help regrow our beautiful forests.”

For every customer who books a tour, Haka Tours plants a native tree through their ongoing investment with My Native Forest. Jenny emphasised that this investment is more than just carbon offsetting—it’s about contributing to a larger purpose. “There wasn’t one particular moment that sparked this partnership decision. It’s more of a continuous understanding of the need to work with organisations like MNF to invest in our environment. We’ve always promoted this value to our guests. Quantifying the impact by planting one tree per guest gives us a tangible metric we can share, helping guests feel that they are making a personal contribution to regenerating New Zealand.”

Choosing My Native Forest as their partner was a thoughtful decision. “MNF aligned with our values and our desire to make a difference by restoring native trees. Plus, they give us a clear ability to see and measure our impact, which is important to us,” she said. The feedback from their guests has been overwhelmingly positive. “They all fall in love with New Zealand’s natural world when they get here. They quickly grasp the importance of preserving and restoring it for future generations.”

Sustainability efforts like tree planting also play a role in Haka Tours’ certifications, including B-Corp and Tiaki Promise. “The partnership with MNF directly contributes to our B-Corp aspirations, where we balance purpose and profit. By partnering with My Native Forest, we’re mitigating our guests’ carbon footprints, advocating for the environment, and restoring biodiversity,” Jenny said.

When asked how they communicate their sustainability efforts, she explained that it’s woven into all aspects of their business. “We share it on our website’s Purpose page, through our social media, and internally via staff training. Our Tour Leaders also inform our guests about the role they play in forest regeneration.”

Looking to the future, Haka Tours is eager to continue building on this momentum as they integrate with parent company Intrepid Travel. “Our current big goal is to contribute to Intrepid Travel’s B-Corp recertification, assessing environmental and social impact. Intrepid’s current score is 91.2, and we’re working to match or exceed that,” she explained. “As for the tree-planting initiative, we’re focused on solidifying our current partnerships before expanding. But we’re also excited about our new collaboration with Forest and Bird through the Intrepid Foundation.”

The partnership with My Native Forest has been deeply rewarding. “Being able to see the tangible number of trees we’re funding, where they’re being planted, and the story behind that land—like the Purau Woodland in Canterbury—has been incredible. It’s also great to work with a partner who understands the urgency of restoring our forests. MNF is focused on scalable action, and we need action now.”

Jenny’s advice to other companies considering sustainability initiatives? “Dedicate time to helping staff and stakeholders understand the ‘why’ behind the initiatives. Once they’re involved, they become advocates who can help spread the word.”

Through their partnership with My Native Forest, Haka Tours is not only mitigating their carbon footprint but also playing an active role in regenerating New Zealand’s native bush. Their collaboration serves as a model for businesses that want to combine purpose with profit, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty of Aotearoa’s landscapes.

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