At E-Ko we believe in giving back and from 2010 to 2020 we have given back over $230,000 to many projects and organisations

By joining one of our experiences you are automatically giving back to the environment, via our:

 

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.

 

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

 

Guardians of the Sounds - to save the Marlborough Sounds for future generations.

Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary - a community project to restore this wildlife sanctuary.

 

How Much Do We Give?

As E-Ko has grown every year, so do our total contributions - we are here for the long term. 

Here is a breakdown of our total contributions via the E-Ko Conservation Fund.

2010: $ 13,050

2011: $ 13,375

2012: $10,700

2013: $22,150

2014: $15,375

2015: $15,080

2016: $21,378

2017: $20,965

2018: $23,570

2019: $31,453

2020: $41,600

 

Tiaki Promise

We support the Tiaki Promise from Tourism New Zealand - a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations. We

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.