Sustainability at Omaka Lodge

Managing energy & resources

We actively seek to identify, measure, and reduce our energy & resource consumption and the resulting environmental impact – including energy usage, fuel consumption, water usage, and emissions.

• Replaced the expensive and inefficient 1970s underfloor heating system with high efficiency air-conditioning units
  
• Installed 24x solar panels charging a Tesla Powerwall storage battery.  The house disconnects from the grid during peak power periods and runs entirely from the battery.  We monitor and control our usage via Tesla’s app
  
• Replaced the glazing in all 75 windows and doors with high-efficiency double-glazing
  
• Replaced all incandescent light bulbs with low energy LED bulbs
  
• Replaced all downlights with low energy LED equivalents
• Added thermal lining and Bumf to all drapes
  
• Replaced the open fire with a high efficiency wood burner which is fuelled entirely by wood from our own trees
  
• Bought high-efficiency low emission motor vehicles – including one hybrid
  
• Installing our own water meter to monitor our water usage – our water source is a natural spring, the supply is filtered and treated, and tested regularly
  
• Fitted carpets are New Zealand wool
  
• All guest linen is cotton, bed underlays are wool, and pillows are feather and down.

Restoring nature

With over 10 acres of grounds, 2.5 acres of which are landscaped gardens, we contribute positively to both environmental protection and regeneration activities in our immediate surrounds.  Actions include:

• For every tree that dies, falls or is cut down, we replace it with at least 2 new trees.
• New trees and shrubs are regularly planted throughout our grounds – a high percentage being native species to cope with the unique local weather conditions
• Native seedlings that come up naturally in the garden (such as Totara, Kahikatea, Kowhai) are potted up then planted in our grounds – particularly as wind shelter along fence-lines
• Bird and bee attracting shrubs, trees and bulbs are prioritised
• We planted over 2,000 Daffodils to provide bees with winter food
• We grow all our own picking flowers for use in our guest rooms and areas
• All lawn clippings are used for composting purposes
• Spare seedlings and plants are donated to neighbours, for their revegetation projects.
• We fenced off our driveway to prevent stock access and the driveway banks are now covered with regenerating ferns and other native seedlings (such as Manuka and Pseudopanax)
  
• A native revegetation project has commenced in our steep hill paddock. The boggy corner has been fenced off from stock and planted in native plants – all seedlings/cuttings/transplanted from our main garden
  
• For every wedding held here, we invite the married couple to plant a tree (native if possible) here to recognise their special moment and to counteract their travel impact on the environment
  
• We donate our time once a month to a local gardening group