Conservation
Ethical Konservation Organisation (E-Ko)
HOPE for the Future Survival of our Environment through pragmatic and proactive Tourism that Gives Back. We Show New Zealand Tourists there is a NEW way to embrace our Conservation beliefs.
We get close-up images and give amazing Fun unique small group experiences through our WCA Trained and Certified Guides.
When you come with us you are HELPING the Environment, local Animals, and our Community.
Our mantra Adventures for your Soul means we walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
E-ko is a Tourism Disrupter to provide TRUE sustainable Tourism and will lead the path forward by embracing Ethics and applying this to Tourism, EKo = Ethical Konservation Organisation – join us on this Journey.
2% of all our proceeds as a business go back to the E-Ko Fund for use on the projects below and sponsorship give back another 3% Direct to building that HOPE of a brighter future for our Planet.
To apply to the E-Ko Fund, send details to info@e-ko.nz.
By joining one of our experiences you are automatically giving back to the environment, via our:
Join E-ko to HELP save the Plant by creating HOPE for our Future.
E-Ko Conservation Fund
Giving back to the land, the sea and the community has been at the heart of E-Ko since day one.
The water cycle here connects the land and the sea together. To enhance the sea, we must first enhance our land.
This is a never ending cycle which we are a integral part of and your support of E-Ko makes you a part of this infinite cycle.
Who Exactly Do We Give To?
A portion of your ticket cost goes directly to the following organisations that are closely aligned with our values:
The Land
Kiwis for Kiwi - Building the kiwi population.
Birding New Zealand - promoting ecotourism and birdwatching in NZ on a sustainable ecological commercial basis.
Department of Conservation - the government agency charged with conserving NZ’s natural and historic heritage.
Totaras for Totaranui - Planting native trees in the Marlborough Sounds.
The Sea
World Cetacean Alliance- the world’s largest marine conservation partnership.
Project Jonah - creating a world where marine mammals are respected and protected.
Marine Mammal Research - E-Ko maintains daily the oldest data set in New Zealand.
The Community
Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary - a community project to restore this wildlife sanctuary.
Tiaki Promise
We support the Tiaki Promise from Tourism New Zealand - a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations.
SMART Operator
E-Ko Tours was the first SMART (Sustainable Marine Mammal Actions in Recreation and Tourism) operator in New Zealand to be certified by the Department of Conservation, and the very first World Cetacean Alliance dolphin swimming operation in New Zealand.
As the ONLY operator in Picton whose guests are able to swim with dolphins, our encounters are respectful and relaxed.
We use practices that allow the dolphins to choose whether they interact with our guests or not, and we constantly rotate the species that we swim with to minimise pressure on our local dolphins and ensure there well being.
We are the only dolphin swimming company to REDUCE our swimming trips to reduce our effort on the mammals.
With reduced effort then the dolphins are very happy to see the limited number of people we take to enjoy them in their environment.
So we have happy people and happy dolphins.
As Kaitakitanga or guardians of the local environmental health of our wildlife is more important than profits.