Environment Care

We strive to take positive steps to ensure Stewart Island and Ulva Island remain clean and green and our wildlife is protected. We do our best to help educate our clients on the environment during our tours.

Please do not feed our Wildlife

Feeding of wildlife is strongly discouraged, in particular kaka in Oban and weka and other birds on Ulva Island. They have plenty of natural food in the wild and are not hungry!  Feeding them with our diet, has a negative impact on their health, wellbeing and social structure.

Be Respectful of Kiwi

Kiwi are highly sensitive. Please do not call, chase, nor make loud noises or shine bright lights on kiwi.

Flash Photography of Wildlife is not Allowed 

Flash photography of wildlife is harmful and not allowed.

Clean Footwear

To ensure we do not spread weeds, seeds and organisms, make sure you remove mud, seeds, plant material from your boots before visiting Ulva Island or any new area or before you board our vessel.

Environment & Water Care Codes

Please take time to read the Environment and Water Care Codes developed by the Department of Conservation.  An abridged version is shown below.

Toitu the whenua - Leave the land undisturbed.

Protect Plants and Animals
Treat New Zealand's forests and birds with care and respect. They are unique and often rare.

Remove Rubbish
Litter is unattractive, harmful to wildlife and can increase vermin and disease. Carry out what you carry in.

Bury Toilet Waste
In areas without toilet facilities, bury your toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites and huts.

Keep Streams and Lakes Clean
When cleaning and washing, take the water and wash well away from the water source. Soaps and detergents are harmful to water-life, drain used water into the soil to allow it to be filtered.

Take Care with Fires
If you use a fire, keep it small, use only dead wood and make sure it is out by dousing it with water and checking for ashes before leaving. 

Camp Carefully
Leave no trace of your visit.

Keep to the Track
You lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants and wildlife.

Consider Others
Be considerate - everyone has the right to enjoy the natural environment.

Respect our Cultural Heritage
Many places have spiritual and historical significance. Treat these places with consideration and respect.

Water Care Code

Find out First
Find out and follow the regulations governing recreational use of waterways and access.

Take only Food you Need
Sustain life in our waterways by taking only what you need and no more than the legal limit.