Eco-Care

Kaimata Retreat has developed the following environmental policy which is based on our commitment to continually improve our environmental performance across all areas of our business practice.

We appreciate we live within a delicate eco-system, sharing this land, water and air with rare and special wildlife here on the Otago Peninsula. It is fundamentally important to us to minimize our impact on our natural environment. We welcome your support and invite you to care for our surrounds by supporting our sustainability efforts.

Our Statement of Care to You and our Environment

We at Kaimata Retreat acknowledge we operate within a fragile environment. The Otago Peninsula is home to many rare and endangered species. We try to ensure we use no more resources than our business requires and that the measures we do use, have been considered carefully.

Sustainable Design
Kaimata Retreat is sited sensitively to the natural environment, using the topography and natural landscape to enhance our principles of environmental sustainability.

Energy Efficiency
Kaimata Retreat is reducing our demand on energy by:

• We and our staff endeavor to turn off lights and equipment when not needed.
• We buy local produce where possible to reduce transport emissions and support employment in our community.
• We travel to Dunedin once per week for service provisions.
• Our appliances are energy efficient models.
• A timer is installed for our exterior lighting.
• Clothes drying racks are available for outside drying.
• The Retreat is well insulated with wool lining in the walls and ceiling, double glazed, and weather seals around our wooden French doors to help reduce heat loss.
• Our underfloor heating uses water coils generated by a bio-diesel/diesel system.
• The Retreat is built with passive solar use in mind.
• We are researching solar and wind power options.

Waste Management
Kaimata Retreat is reducing waste by:

• We are always trying to reduce waste recycling, to think before we buy and discard.
• We offer an onsite recycling station for glass, plastic, aluminium and tin and the safe disposal of non-recyclable materials such as batteries.
• Paper and cardboard with non-coloured inks are reused as compost and mulch around our plantings.
• Our food waste is sorted for composting and bird feed.
• We use refillable toiletry and cleaning products.
• We try to reduce our usage of office consumables such as keeping electronic files instead of paper, reuse paper, and purchase refillable cartridges.
• We try to shop environmentally, being aware of packaging such as using cloth bags for shopping instead of plastic, buying economy sized products, buying products which can be recycled or products packaged with recycled material.

Water Conservation
Kaimata Retreat is conserving water by:

• We and our staff turn off taps when we are not directly using the water.
• We have dual-flush option for our toilets.
• We offer a towel and linen change agreement which ensures you’re helping the environment by reducing energy and water use.
• We recover grey-water and reuse it for our garden irrigation.
• We do not use chemicals for weed and insect management which could affect our waterways and wildlife.
• We use biodegradable detergents and cleaning agents that are compatible with our waste water treatment system.
• We use a water efficient washing machine and dishwasher.

Conservation
Kaimata Retreat participates in a wise purchasing programme and supports the wildlife conservation and regeneration of native forests by:

• We have been operating a replanting programme for the last five years with the goal of reinstating native flora (from grasses to podacarps) across our 5 acre property.
• As much as possible, our products are sustainably made and New Zealand made, if not locally.
• Our foods are sourced locally and as organic as possible.
• We are a member of the Otago Peninsula Trust.

Community

• Unwanted items are donated to local charities.
• We donate our support to Heart Children New Zealand Inc., New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation Inc., and Angels for Children Charitable Trust.