• We are New Zealand’s ONLY travel Guide devoted specifically, if not exclusively, to the needs of the free and independent organic and eco-traveller.
  

• We are the ONLY travel guide in New Zealand to list organic food, eco-accommodation and environmental tourism in one place.
  

• We are the ONLY New Zealand travel guide to offer an events calendar for New Zealand eco-tourism venues, including Yoga and meditation retreats music, dance and arts workshops etc.
  

• We want to promote all organic and eco-tourism producers, retailers and operators and to make their businesses and services readily accessible to the eco-traveller.

Consumer demand for socially and environmentally responsible tourism is growing globally three times faster than the tourism industry as a whole – at 20%-34% per year. That’s a phenomenal growth rate.

New Zealand, too has experienced a significant growth in the sustainable, eco-tourism market. Increasing numbers of socially, politically and environmentally aware travellers, are coming here, and increasing numbers of food retailers, restaurants and accommodation sites are responding to this increased demand. Hoteliers, B&Bs, farmstays, homestays, restaurants and food retailers are increasingly catering for this market.

Until now, this growing industry remained uncatalogued and unco-ordinated,. There was no one site to which the organic/eco-tourist could refer for guidance in their travels. Organic Explorer New Zealand aims to fill that need.

Within this site, you will find:

• People opening their homes to travellers offering them eco-accommodation and organic food from the small bed and breakfast facility through to luxurious ecolodge tree houses and everything in between.
  

• Organic food provided by road-side stalls through to large organic supply shops and city restaurants and bars.
  

• A variety of sites for Cultural and EcoTourism. There are a growing number of cultural tourism and eco-tourism providing learning experiences in nature, from adventures on an active volcano through to an overnight Marae stay, listening to local stories and Maori descriptions and traditional relationships to the landscape and the natural world.

Our significant point of difference is that we are passionate about organic food and about the state of the environment and we want to make it simple and trouble-free for the organic/eco-traveller in New Zealand to travel in comfort and safety.

• Look at the Organic Explorer explanation of eco-accommodation.
• Find our which operators have recognised quality certifications
• Find operators that offer environmentally sensitive and educational programmes in wilderness New Zealand
• Find out what the eco-tourism certification symbols mean.
• Find out what you are buying when the organic food carries a NZ organic certification symbol
• Find the nearest place to eat quality organic food or buy organic produce
• Find the nearest place to stay that serves organic means and/or that is built around issues of sustainability.
• Find the nearest farmers market where you can stock up on supplies and meet other organic/eco-travellers.
• Find locations for longer stay retreats and learning workshops

Look at our cultural tourism section. We include:

• A brief description of the cultural and historical relationship between Maori and non-Maori (pakeha) in New Zealand.
• A glossary of Maori words and phrases in preparation for a potential Marae visit,
• An easy-to-follow explanation of Marae rituals and protocols.
• A map of Maori tribal areas within NZ so you know which hapu and/or Iwi area you are visiting.

Learning or understanding a few Maori words or phrases will help to build the warm relationships with the tangata whenua (literally: people of the land, indigenous people) that can enhance any travel experience.