Almost three quarters (72%) of global travellers believe sustainable travel choices are vital. Sustainable experiences are sought after with 68% of travellers wanting to see their
investment go back into the local community*
(Survey Booking .com 2023)
Our commitment to Sustainability
Chic Retreat NZ's commitment to sustainability has been evident at every stage of our recent Rotorua renovation through our interactions with our community contractors, suppliers and more recently with our valued guests.
Taking care of our natural ecosystem means
reducing waste,
replacing single-use plastics,
using less energy
as well as being central to protecting our forests, rivers, and other natural resources.
Core to Chic Retreats NZ's values, is a deep connection and understanding of our responsibility to nature as guardians and protectors of our people, places and culture, to preserve them for our future generations.
At the heart of sustainability is the goal of 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.
Our commitment to sustainability has been intentionally woven into our practices, from eco-friendly architecture to thoughtful, responsible tips and tricks to honour the land we occupy whilst promoting environmental stewardship throughout the experience.
Considerations have been made for every aspect of our operation, ensuring that we maintain an enriched guest experience and standards without compromise. We are delighted to be members of the Rotorua Sustainable Charter and look forward to working together on our sustainability pathway.
It's just the start and we'll keep practicing as we grow!
Chic Retreats NZ Sustainability Practices
Chic Retreats NZ is committed to minimising its environmental impact. We aspire to embed sustainable solutions throughout our operations which includes, but is not limited to:
1) Environmental Stewardship
Meaning we are committed to environmental sustainability
through various initiatives and practices with
Energy Water Waste
Energy Efficient Renovation & Maintenance
Utilising energy-efficient appliances, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and implementing regular energy audits to identify areas for improvement.
Optimised natural light integrated in the design process
Designing and maintaining our properties with environmentally friendly materials and practices.
Double Glazed all exterior windows & doors.
Exterior walls, roofs and cavities are all insulated with sustainable insulation.
NZ Abodo wood panelling selected for its beauty & alignment.
Recycled decking to create single level inclusive flow.
Renewable Energy reducing reliance on fossil fuels
Solar Power - We harness the sun’s power! Our on-site Aiko solar resource consists of 38 panels, generating up to 17.29 (kW) per hour of clean energy, at times supplying total need of property as well as returning units to the national grid.
Energy Efficiency - Energy-saving LED light bulbs & motion sensors throughout our oasis.
Smart Thermostats - all Heat pumps / air con units to optimise room temperature efficiently.
(The EECA - Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority is responsible for regulating the ratings for our appliances)
Energy & Water - Efficient Washing machine /Dishwashers
Energy efficient - Heat Pump Dryer
Water Conservation & Efficiency
Meaning we employ water-saving devices, fixing leaks promptly, and use water responsibly.
Water restrictors for optimum flow without waste.
Shampoo / shower gel free of micro plastics
Swimming Pool & HotSprings Spa - salt (less chemicals)
Swimming pool & Spa covers
Water Efficient Showers, Washing machine & Dishwasher
Half flush option on all W.C's
Smart irrigation systems adjusts watering schedules based on weather conditions
Towel Reuse programme
Bed linen programme to offer trade
Waste Management ~ Responsible Recycling
Meaning we implement recycling programs, reducing non-recyclable waste, and promoting waste minimisation techniques.
Chic Retreats NZ actively promotes sorting waste into categories using prominent recycling stations and signage : glass, tin, paper/cardboard, plastic, supporting the initiatives of Auckland Council & The Lakes Council Rotorua.
Provide information : on collection points for recycling that does not have roadside collection e.g soft plastics, batteries, light bulbs etc
Make it fun! : Use education to encourage simple practices that can make a difference at our properties and to take home. A fun ‘Did you Know’ quiz is available for adults and kids to participate together.
Clear signage : Inclusive multii-lingual visual imagery on Waste Management bins.
Reducing Plastic
Meaning we offer reusable items on site, buy in bulk, use refill options and select eco-friendly products
Chic Retreats NZ avoids single use plastics
Complimentary toiletries are free from micro-plastics
Food storage solutions in the form of food containers, glass storage jars, silicone covers.
Stainless steel pegs for all washing lines
Reusable Bamboo Coffee Cups & drinkware available
Supply re-usable shopping bags
Stainless steel re-useable straws
Recycled laundry bags for washing
Re-usable Sushi Trays available
Buzzy Bee Housekeeping Team manage our refills product cycles
Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
We use biodegradable and eco-friendly, non toxic cleaning products that are safe for both the environment and our guests.
Sustainable Transport
EV Charger: A Tesla EV charger is on site for our guests with electric vehicles
E-Bike charging stations : Encouraging the use of bikes vs vehicles and accessing local transport options.
Local public transport timetables : available links are provided in our digital information pack.
Linen Policy
Ethical product selection without compromising comfort or quality (9,000+ plastic bottles recycled so far)
Towel reuse is encouraged.
Guests are invited to donate costs of any additional linen change requests to support Rotorua Trails Trust
Guest sheets and towels are only changed on check out.
Laundrette supplier chosen for their sustainable / ethical practices
Paper Usage
We minimise and recycle paper to reduce our ecological impact. Includes electronic or contactless check-in and check out.
2) Community & Social Impact
Meaning we encourage our guests to engage in activities that actively
contributes to the social and cultural fabric of our locations.
Chic Retreats NZ values their surrounding communities and the cultural heritage we are fortunate to be part of. We encourage our guests to engage in activities that actively contributes to the social and cultural fabric of the community. When providing information for our guests we lead with local first.
Local Business partners & contractors - During our recent Rotorua renovation, we engaged with local NZ owned and operated companies as part of our team of contractors. Included Groundworks, Plumbing, Landscaping, Fencing, Flooring & Interiors.
Local Employment - We prioritise employing a local team to support the community and reduce commuting emissions. This includes our Meet & Greet, Housekeeping, Laundry Mgt, Garden & Pool maintenance.
Support Local - recommendations include our local business community for retail, medical services, hospitality, support service providers .
Showcasing local artists - artwork & design are sourced from are part of our interiors with some pieces on temporary displayed with the artists' bio.
Digital Guidebook - Provide information on local services artisans, heritage, and culture. Supporting locally owned and operated businesses
Team Training & Development - Our team are onboarded and updated on our sustainable practices with awareness of our philosophy and our evolving targets.
Community Engagement - We actively contribute to community events, showcase local artists (e.g. David Trubridge Lighting, Wine Country Creations, Helen Keen ), and support local initiatives (Rotorua Trails Trust) fund raising and working Bees to sustain the incredible Redwoods Trails)
Volunteering - There are many opportunities to volunteer. We make a list of volunteering opportunities for Guests and our team to be part of. See our blog about the benefits of Volunteering as you travel that includes organisations that you can support during your visit.
Ethical business practices & supply chain
Chic Retreats NZ is committed to ethical business operations, encompassing fair employment practices, transparent communication, sustainability audits and insights, and inclusivity in all aspects of our business including:
3) Sustainable Procurement
Meaning we we prioritise the purchase of eco-friendly and sustainably sourced products.
Without compromising the guest experience or operational standards,
we aspire to run our business as sustainably as possible.
When making purchasing decisions, we consider the following:
Geographic Location Buy local, then regional, then national, then Oceania, then Rest of World.
Like-minded Suppliers & Eco-Friendly Collab partners We partner with ethical suppliers and businesses, committed to their own sustainability pathway, who focus on reducing their carbon footprint, packaging waste, and natural resource usage.
Product Sourcing & Design Considerations are made for both start and end-of-life options with ease of recyclability of products.
Packaging We aspire to source products with sustainable packaging options. We never underestimate the impact we can make even as a small business. Reciprocal learnings and dialogue with our collab partners to encourage ethical options.
Mindful approach to Greenwashing Defined as misleading environmental claims. Guided by practices from Sostenica we follow the due diligence process for verification.
Product efficiency Source products with high energy efficiency or water saving ratings (rated by the EEAC)
Re-Use & Re-Purpose:
Upcycled product sourcing
Upcycled all outside furniture choices
Bike parking Log - sourced from Redwood tree felled from skyline
Restored 30 year old French Oak Table
Donated product we would not use to avoid being added to landfill
Sourced kitchen utensils and crockery from Charity shops (SPA Pet / Mindful)
Charitable Donations
We support & promote 2 charities as part of operations - Rotorua Trails Trust & a Bee conservation link through our Honey partner confirmed for 2025..
How our Guests make an impact
Too often we choose to leave it to others because it all feels too hard and too big to fix.
Every one of us can make an impact - however small.
A collective of individual baby steps together make an impact
Here's a list of simple ways our guests can have a positive impact during their stay:
Mindful Recycling: Optimise our recycling bins provided around the property.
Conserve Energy & Water: Turn off lighting, heating, air conditioning, and taps when not in use.
Refill and reuse water bottles : Filtered water available on tap.
Reuse your Towels : considerations to save water & energy
Support Local: Choose to buy local products, dine at local restaurants, and participate in community events.
Respect Nature: Follow guidelines for interacting with local wildlife and natural habitats.
Volunteer locally as your travel: See our blog on ideas for volunteering
Send your Service: you can choose a number of options in exchange for a service and donate to one of our nominated charities.
For example:
Donate & send your service on selected housekeeping elements.
Using the in-house laundry machines - wash dry and fold pool / bath towels / face cloths / bath mats at the end of your stay.
Charge your car/bike at peak daylight / sunshine hours
The Tiaki Promise
Chic Retreats has made the Tiaki Promise which is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now, and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, we are making a commitment to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving the places we call home.
We believe that everyone doing their bit will collectively make a difference for future generations.Our valued guests are invited to nurture and protect this unique part of the world in Aotearoa New Zealand.
See our blog about Understanding The Tiaki Promise: A Commitment to Protecting New Zealand's Natural Beauty
Continuous Improvement
Sustainability is a dynamic area requiring ongoing attention and adaptation. We are committed to improve our practices, to learn and explore new avenues for environmental responsibility as our facilities and resources evolve by applying information and resources.
So can we blend our commitment? Hell yes! And we'll keep learning.
Chic Retreats NZ aspires to blend sustainability with luxury, evaluating ways that the two can coexist. Our commitment to our planet does not mean a compromise on comfort or elegance. Each retreat is crafted to offer a grounded experience that allows guests to indulge while knowing they are making a positive impact on the environment.
At Chic Retreats NZ, luxury and sustainability are not just compatible; they are synergistically enhanced, providing a guilt-free escape that satisfies the soul and safeguards Papatūānuku - our Earth Mother. This blend of responsibility and comfort creates a truly transformative travel experience that is not just enjoyed but cherished to create life long memories.
Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.
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