Marine Conservation Contribution Honoured

Marine Conservation Contribution Honoured
at Sustainable Business Network Awards

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari have been recognised for their unique tourism business, which works to protect the marine mammals, rare birds and habitat of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

At last night’s Sustainable Business Network Awards - held at Shed 10 on Queen’s Wharf - the small, family-owned company took home the Partnering For Good award, alongside joint winners NZ Post. They also received Commended in the Restoring Nature category.

Leaving twice-daily from the Viaduct Harbour, they run wildlife eco-safaris for tourists. This helps fund the data collection that takes place every day by the researchers on board, who are working to understand more about the Hauraki Gulf and how to protect it.

Given that one-third of all the world’s marine mammals come into the waters next to New Zealand’s biggest city, it is one of most ecologically significant marine environments in the world.

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari is the only business supporting university research to protect 22 marine mammals, 24+ seabirds and 34+ shorebirds. They collaborate with the Department of Conservation and Auckland and Massey Universities, who use the data to publish research findings.

“It’s very humbling to receive this. We’re a very small company, who’ve been going for 17 years, and we’re operating in the most amazing environment out there,” says General Manager Brad Kirner. “It is one of the most special ecological areas in the world and we’re very proud to work with the Department of Conservation, Auckland University and Massey University to try and find out as much as we can about the resource so we can actually work to protect it.”

The judges said, “Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari have a unique model, combining conservation, science, education and tourism in a model that is both commercially and environmentally successful. Working alongside key partners, they’re playing a significant role in influencing and educating the tourism - more than 100,000 people have experienced the Safari, and we’re told it’s an experience that’s unforgettable! They are a great example of the marriage of sustainability and commercial success in a business for good.”

As well as last night’s award, the business has recently been recognised with a membership to the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), an international community of marine mammal specialists.
ENDS

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