Environmental Care Code
Protect Plants and Animals
Treat New Zealand's forest 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. Plan your visits to reduce rubbish, and 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. Because soaps and detergents are harmful to water-life, drain used water into the soil to allow it to be filtered. If you suspect the water may be contaminated, either boil it for at least 3 minutes, or filter it, or chemically treat it.
Take Care With Fires
Portable fuel stoves are less harmful to the environment and are more efficient than fires. If you do use a fire, keep it small, use only dead wood and make sure it is out by dousing it with water and checking the ashes before leaving.
Camp Carefully
When camping, leave no trace of your visit.
Keep to the Track
By keeping to the track, where one exists, you lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants.
Consider Others
People visit the backcountry and rural areas for many reasons. Be considerate of other visitors who also have a right to enjoy the natural environment.
Respect Our Cultural Heritage
Many places in New Zealand have a spiritual and historical significance. Treat these places with consideration and respect.
Enjoy Your Visit
Enjoy your outdoor experience. Take a last look before leaving an area; will the next visitor know that you have been there?
Water Care Code
Find Out First
Find out and follow the regulations governing recreational use of waterways and access. They are designed to minimise conflict between users and protect everyone's health and safety.
Stay On Established Tracks and Use Existing Facilities
By using existing facilities, where these are provided, you run less chance of disturbing wildlife and damaging riverbanks and foreshores.
Take Care of Your Gear
Careless use of equipment can harm wildlife and other users.
Remove Rubbish
Litter is unattractive, harmful to wildlife and pollutes water. Plan your visit to reduce rubbish, and carry out what you carry in.
Dispose of Toilet Waste Properly
Improper disposal of toilet waste can contaminate water, damage the environment, and is culturally offensive. Use disposal facilities where provided or bury waste in a shallow hole at least 50 metres away from waterways.
Be Careful With Chemicals
Use chemicals sparingly, and refuel with care. Dispose of cooking and washing water well away from the source.
Respect Our Cultural Heritage
Many New Zealand waterways have special cultural, spiritual or historical values. Treat these places with consideration and respect.
Take Only the Food You Need
When taking food from the sea or freshwater don't overdo it. Sustain life in our waterways by taking only what you need and no more than the legal limit.
Consider Plants and Animals
Remember we are only visitors to water environments. Other animal and plant species live there all the time.
Consider Other People
Respect other visitors ... everyone has the right to enjoy the environment in safety.
Protect the environment for your own sake, for the sake of those who come after you, and for the environment itself.
