NZ Herald 

By Jo Burzynska

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Carbon-zero accreditation requires companies to measure and reduce their total carbon emissions. This is independently audited, then any remaining emissions offset, often through purchasing carbon credits.

However, at The Landing in the Bay of Islands, Toitū carbon-zero certification was achieved not by buying credits, but through the bushland on the 400haproperty.

Over the past 20 years, The Landing has planted 1.2 million native trees on its land, which also houses luxury accommodation, a vineyard and boutique winery. These absorb more carbon annually than that produced by all the businesses operating there.

 

Over the past 20 years, The Landing has planted 1.2 million native trees on its land. Photo / Jasper Jay
Over the past 20 years, The Landing has planted 1.2 million native trees on its land. Photo / Jasper Jay

 

"Sustainability is one of our wider company values," says Peter Jones, of The Landing, which is owned by Cooper and Company that's behind Auckland's Britomart. "For The Landing Wines, we wanted to understand what our current carbon footprint was so we had a baseline to improve from and establish a set of goals and initiatives that the team could all work towards knowing they would make a measurable difference to the environment."

Both The Landing's coastal views and environmental achievements are breathtaking. Guests at the property's four architecturally designed residences - which include the Vineyard Villa nestled among the vines - can absorb these through the wine tasting and vineyard tour included in the stay.

The Landing also offers a special Weekend with the Winemakers, three days of fine food and vinous immersion with The Landings' Ben Byrne and consultant winemaker Warren Gibson. This includes a tasting masterclass, barrel-tastings and the chance to blend a wine to take home.

Visitors not staying at The Landing can also sample the wines and philosophy by appointment through various wine experiences. Hosted at the cellar door overlooking the vineyard and bush, these range from a wine tasting and cheese board to various wine tasting and lunch packages, one that includes transport to The Landing by boat and a vineyard tour.