Earthsong embraces strong conservation ethics

Earthsong Lodge has been created in harmony with our unique sustainable environment to provide a luxurious retreat for those who seek to experience one of New Zealand's best island wilderness regions.

Earthsong Lodge - history and position in the environment

Great Barrier Island has a rich human history dating back a thousand years to the great Polynesian explorer, Kupe. In November 1769 Captain James Cook, was the first European to sight the island. A tough pioneering history of logging and mining on Great Barrier Island has taught the local community valuable lessons about respecting the environment. Today, over 60% of the island is protected as conservation estate or reserves for future generations to enjoy.

Great Barrier Island, the fourth largest island in New Zealand, has only a small population, which survives without reticulated power or water. The pioneering spirit and conservation ethic are strong, where many residents choose to extract their power from the sun, wind and water and in so doing have a built up an enviable reputation in the field of alternative energy.

Much of this island is a treasured sanctuary for many native plant and rare bird species. Specific varieties of flora and fauna are genetically unique as a result of evolving on the island in isolation from the rest of New Zealand.

These environmental values were a strong influence in choosing Great Barrier Island for the location of Earthsong Lodge as a sustainable eco-tourism accommodation lodge and hotel.

Earthsong Lodge is uniquely positioned on Great Barrier Island. Created on the remnants of an early pioneering family farm that had become unproductive, the lodge is nestled below a ridge-line and blends harmoniously with the landscape.

Earthsong Lodge has a programme of actively planting native trees to encourage the re-establishment of native forest and the return of native bird species. To date, more than 300 native trees and plants have been planted in the Lodge grounds. A further six acres of lodge grounds has been set aside to protect the regenerating native broadleaf forests. A pest eradication programme is in place to eliminate introduced predators, which imperil the survival of many New Zealand endangered birds and reptiles. This has resulted in the return of native bird species which feed on the nectar of trees in flower and assist in the natural process of pollination of flowers and distribution of tree seeds. Among the birds now returning to the lodge forests include kaka (native parrot), tui, fantails, silver eye, kereru (New Zealand Pigeon), pateke (brown teal duck), shining cuckoo, grey warbler, morepork (New Zealand's only native owl), banded rail, and black petrel.

Earthsong Lodge is eco-friendly

Sustainable building materials used

The lodge walls are insulated with straw-bales made from the leftover stems of harvested wheat grain. The use of straw in construction, reduces the amount of carbon monoxide pollution when this otherwise waste product is disposed of. Straw bale building uses less lumber than the construction methods most prevalent today.

The straw bale insulation is thermally efficient and energy conserving, optimizing solar gain for heating i.e. the lodge is super energy efficient (cool in summer/warm in winter).

The plastered straw bale walls are finished with a breathable silicate colouring which allows for the exchange of fresh air through the walls providing a healthy and environmentally safe living space. Roofing material is 'Onduline' a product made from waste paper. This is non-corrosive, and ideal for the collection of potable rain water. Water collected in this way supplies the needs of the lodge. Insulation is further enhanced in the ceiling cavities which are insulated with natural wool fibre insulation, a product of the New Zealand wool industry. The lodge has oiled and waxed polished wood floors using renewable forest-grown timbers. The timbers used for all window and door joinery were recovered and recycled New Zealand Rimu wood from a demolished factory.

Power saving and energy usage

The extensive use of solar panels for electricity production allows Earthsong Lodge to minimize the use of fossil fuels. Solar panels are also used to heat the lodge water supply. The passive solar effect of the straw bale construction of the lodge reduces the amount of energy required. Throughout the lodge lighting is provided by long-life, low energy light bulbs which use 80% less power consumption than standard lighting. Energy consumption is further reduced by the installation of low energy electrical appliances.

Caring for the environment

Earthsong Lodge has an aerobic waste water treatment plant for the processing and cleaning of effluent and waste water. This 'biocycle' system treats all the effluent produced by the lodge to a level where it is then used for crop and tree irrigation. Organic waste is composted for subsequent use in the lodge gardens. Non-organic waste is sorted for recycling at the community recycling station. Eco-friendly cleaning products are used exclusively at Earthsong Lodge to eliminate the risk of phosphate pollution. Earthsong Lodge is a smoke-free resort.

Earthsong Lodge is a member of the International Slow Food Movement

With the rich vibrant produce of the South Pacific, Chef Trevor Rendle is inspired to explore the romance of regional cooking and offers guests the opportunity to savour the finest taste sensations prepared in the time-honoured way. These wonderful flavours, along with a convivial atmosphere, bring Earthsong guests together as friends and dining becomes a very memorable and special experience.

Earthsong Lodge actively promotes and features the use of organic foods. The lodge organic gardens grow many heirloom vegetables conserving the heritage of the past and contributing to the defense of the world's bio-diversity. Earthsong Lodge also sources much of its produce from local island suppliers. Organic fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs are sourced from local producers.

Size of Earthsong Lodge

Earthsong Lodge is a small luxury lodge providing accommodation for up to six guests. Because of its small size, guests can enjoy the environment of a luxury lodge promoting sustainable tourism with minimum impact on the land.

Earthsong Lodge - and the local Island community

Earthsong Lodge promotes Great Barrier Island as a destinational experience to both domestic and international travelers, emphasizing the unique wilderness island environment.

Earthsong Lodge sponsors the Great Barrier Island Search and Rescue. This is a vital community service for this popular boating and recreational destination. The launch recently of the new vessel, "Rangitawhiri" was celebrated by the whole community, and the vessel was blessed by the oldest living Tangata Whenua (Maori Elder) on Great Barrier Island. Earthsong Lodge guests were welcomed at this official occasion and enjoyed this cultural experience. The "Rangitawhiri" Search and Rescue vessel offers coastal discovery tours to Earthsong Lodge guests who contribute with donations to the Rescue fund.

Earthsong Lodge is committed to the local community and encourages guests to experience the island eco-tourism ventures. The eco-tourism operators promoted by Earthsong Lodge have high conservation ethics and offer their clients low impact environmental experiences designed with sustainable tourism in mind. By providing financial support in this way, Earthsong Lodge guests contribute to the local Island fragile economy. This, in turn, has created an enhanced awareness of the advantages of eco-tourism by the successful tourism adventure operators.