New Zealand tourists are being asked to take a pledge that states they will be good to the country’s environment in what officials call the “Tiaki Promise.”
The word “Tiaki,” translated from Maori to English means “to save,” which is the baseline for the promise.
A statement on the Tiaki New Zealand website reads:
“New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it.
“The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now, and for future generations.
“By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.”
Stephen England-Hall, CEO of Tourism New Zealand, told CNN Travel that the promise isn’t a “to-do-list” of requirements, rather a way of putting people in a certain mindset when they arrive in the country.
“Tiaki talks to guidelines or guiding principles about how we would like people to behave when they’re in New Zealand,” he stated. “The idea is that we have a deep and symbiotic relationship with our environment here in New Zealand. You are welcome to come and to experience our landscape, but we want you to please be mindful of the fact that it’s a really important place.”
When tourists sign the pledge, they are promising to care for the land, sea, nature by treading lightly and without leaving a trace; travel safely, showing care and consideration for all; respect culture, and traveling with an open heart and mind.
New Zealand was recently ranked among the top 10 of happiest countries in the World.
The World Happiness Report, which analyzed more than 150 countries, ranked New Zealand as the eighth happiest country in the world.
Contributing factors include well-being factors such as income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support, and generosity.