Links
 
  Website design by
  Webscape, New Zealand
Spacer Spacer.
Spacer.
About Us

What we do....
Kaikoura Wilderness Walks takes you on an exclusive guided walk through the privately owned Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve. Over 2 or 3 days our guests enjoy the 'ultimate wilderness experience'. Nicky, and her team of expert local guides look forward to taking you through this outstanding alpine environment and hosting you at the luxurious Shearwater Lodge.

The Team....
Nicky McArthur is the owner/operator of Kaikoura Wilderness Walks. Nicky is also the host at Shearwater Lodge. Lance Godrey is the principal guide and farm manager. Nicky's three sons, James, Harry and  Sam, all contribute to the operation of KWW through guiding, and track and road maintenance.

The Location...
Kaikoura Wilderness Walks offers a path of discovery, a varied hiking experience which takes you through the Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve, a renowned haven for a diverse array of flora and fauna. This unique property on the north-east coast of New Zealand's South Island is just 30km from the small town of Kaikoura. The area takes in a portion of the Seaward Kaikoura mountain range, which at 457m(1500ft), is the highest, privately owned property in New Zealand. In its upper reaches, "Puhi Peaks" is a pristine alpine wonderland. In 2004, when Alpine Discovery Ltd and Kaikoura Wilderness Walks were established, the area became the location of Shearwater Lodge. The lodge is eco-friendly and has its own micro-hydro scheme. It has six well appointed twin/share bedrooms for guests to enjoy during their stay. 

Hutton's Shearwater....
The Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve is home to one of the two remaining colonies in the world of the endangered Hutton's shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) which nest in burrows high in the mountains just north of Shearwater Lodge. The Reserve is also New Zealand's easternmost habitat for the kea. Other species of bird likely to be seen are the bellbird, fantail, tomtit, pipit, finch, South Island robin, NZ falcon, harrier hawk, rifleman and more. Other wildlife includes red deer, chamois and Arapawa sheep, all of which roam freely in this habitat.


The establishment of a charitable trust for the protection of the endangered seabird, the Hutton's shearwater set in motion the process to have the entire upper area protected, in perpetuity, under a QE II National Trust Protection Covenant. This area is now known as the Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve.  (see extract below from our August 2009 Newsletter)

Nicky is not only a member of this trust but also convenor of the Friends of the Hutton's Shearwater formed to ensure the future of this endangered species.

Kaikoura Wilderness Walks
August Newsletter

‘Other Stuff’

 Hutton’s Shearwaters

 

Protection of the endangered Hutton’s shearwater has been high on the agenda for Nicky. KWE owns the land on which one of the two mountain nesting sites of the Hutton’s Shearwater exists. This year, KWE’s team has worked with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to monitor the nesting site. In particular, focus has been on stoat control which at 6,500ft has proved a mammoth task involving a local helicopter company and volunteer staff. Funding has been secured from several organisations. Alongside this, KWE is monitoring and culling deer in the Puhi Peaks Reserve.

 

The Hutton’s Shearwater Trust (HST) was also established earlier this year to: ‘encourage and promote the preservation, conservation, research, public education, and sustainable management of the Hutton’s shearwater’. The focus this year was to raise $200,000 to erect a predator proof fence around the newly established site on the Kaikoura peninsula. This was achieved by June. The trust hopes that all funds raised and projects completed will ensure the long-term survival of an endangered species in which numbers appear to be dropping dramatically.

 

Nicky is not only on the committee of the HST but is also the convenor of the

Friends of the Hutton’s Shearwater which was launched on 15 August at a Champagne Breakfast in Kaikoura. The aim of the Trust is to disseminate information of the activities of the Charitable Trust through newsletters and events.

 

Continuing her work with the shearwaters Nicky is also a member of Hutton’s Shearwater Recovery Group which is principally a DOC initiative to bring together scientists to support and bring knowledge to the Charitable Trust.

 

Responsible Tourism Statement.

 

The issues of sustainability and environmental protection started to gain worldwide

attention in the early 1990s. Almost 20 years on Responsible Tourism means being

 pro-active in implementing changes for a brighter future not only for Kaikoura

 Wilderness Experience Limited as a company, but for the environment, the local

community, New Zealand and ultimately the world. Kaikoura Wilderness Experience

Limited prides itself on initiating and working towards making significant changes.

 

We identify the current situation, explore alternatives, take action and reflect on change.

 

Kaikoura Wilderness Walks invites you to join us on a wilderness experience that

embraces sustainability. This is an opportunity for you to participate in actively supporting

our initiatives around sustainability in our environment.

 

Let’s create a greener future right here and right now……. starting in our backyard.

 

As a guest of Shearwater Lodge, we welcome you.

As we are all guests of the earth, we welcome the world.

 

We understand that all businesses create environmental and social impact through their

activities. Kaikoura Wilderness Walks (KWW) is no different. We will try to actively reduce

any adverse effects through buying wisely, using resources efficiently, disposing of waste

 responsibly and providing an environmentally and socially responsible experience to our guests.

 

Join us in conserving water and energy for the future.

Please turn off lights whenever and wherever possible.

Simply hang up the towels you wish to re-use and when you would like them changed,

please leave them on the bathroom floor.

 

Water can also be conserved by limiting your shower time.

 

You can help make the difference.

To help conserve water and energy, you can choose to keep your bed linen for an extra day by

placing this card on your pillow in the morning.

 

KWW uses hydro to supply 90 % of its energy requirements, thus lessening the impact on the

environment from electricity pylons and saving electricity for the local grid.

 

KWW operates in a remote, wilderness area. We endeavour to reduce impact on the area by

recycling all materials, eg. glass, paper, plastics and food waste. Please ensure that you use

the recycling bins situated in the lodge. Please do not leave litter of any sort on the tracks take

it with you and dispose of it in the recycle bins provided.

 

KWW supports the Department of Conservation in protecting and supporting our environment.

KWW are actively involved in the protection of its endangered species of seabird, the Hutton’s

Shearwater by trapping predators. KWW also is actively involved in protecting other endangered

species of flora and fauna on Puhi Peaks Station and in Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve.

 

KWW supports the local community. At the centre of all successful communities is the

successful individual. Successful individuals are the living heart of the community KWW

offers employment to local people, and whenever possible supports local businesses.

 

Thank you for joining us at Kaikoura Wilderness Walks.

 

 

Nicky McArthur

Managing Director

Kaikoura Wilderness Experience Limited

 

September 2009

 




For more information about our 2 or 3 day walk Click on ' Take the Walk'




 



      The Colony