Queenstown tourism operator Ziptrek Ecotours has strengthened its support for local climate, conservation, and biodiversity projects by partnering with Love Queenstown.
Ziptrek has been involved with the community fund since its launch in 2023 and has contributed to fundraising events, industry planting days, and other environmental initiatives.
The new partnership will provide sustained financial backing for grassroots projects across Lake Whakatipu.
Founder Trent Yeo said the partnership was a natural fit for Ziptrek.
“We love working with Love Queenstown, and this step makes our support more direct and ongoing,” said Yeo.
“No one can do it individually. Collectively is much better.”
Love Queenstown Community Fund Coordinator, Ash Bickley, added that Ziptrek has long demonstrated responsible tourism in practice.
“Trent and the team have been an inspiration in this space, showing what’s possible when a business puts people and place at the heart of everything it does.”
Since opening above Queenstown in 2009, Ziptrek has planted more than 6,000 native trees and contributed well over NZD 250,000 to community and environmental organisations.
Its support has included the charitable trust Mana Tāhuna, Kiwi Birdlife Park and Sustainable Queenstown, alongside Locals’ Days, staff volunteering, environmental restoration, and education.
Ziptrek has also become Queenstown’s first tourism operator to achieve Net Zero Carbon Business Operations certification, which it has maintained for six consecutive years.
Yeo said Love Queenstown gave businesses and visitors a trusted, practical way to contribute to the place they live in or visit.
“Queenstown is developing as a place where people can formally, functionally and loudly contribute, and our community wants to see that,” explained Yeo.
After almost two decades in tourism, he said sustainability should become a normal part of doing business.
“The whole idea of sustainable tourism should disappear and just become normal.”
Love Queenstown enabled businesses to support credible local organisations without having to identify, assess, and administer individual projects themselves.
Love Queenstown Impact Partners commit either one percent of net proceeds or NZD 10,000 or more annually. Contributions are pooled, with 80 percent supporting immediate environmental action through annual Impact Grants and 20 percent invested in an endowment fund for future generations.
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