Keep New Zealand Beautiful

            The toilets have two options: less flush and more flush. This feature found in the airport bathrooms was the first green behavior I noticed while studying abroad in New Zealand, a country passionate about protecting the environment. I had seen toilets such as these every once in a while in New England, but these eco-friendly toilets were everywhere in New Zealand. I think maybe once I saw a regular toilet and that was at a tiny, old restaurant in a nearly deserted town. It seems such a simple solution, but it makes such a difference in conserving water.

            Since New Zealand’s islands are so isolated from the continents, the country has a very unique biodiversity. It has no snakes and only one poisonous spider, which does not have a lethal bite. Its only native mammals are bats and seals. Meanwhile, New Zealand has many various species of birds. However, humans introduced some species, such as rats, ferrets, weasels, and opossums, that are dramatically decreasing the bird populations, which have few defenses against predators because there had never been any evolutionary need. It is common to see traps for these invasive species in fields, campsites, or hiking trails. Another common occurrence in the Kiwi culture is to personally end the life of one of these pests with any tool available such as a rock or a stick…I did not partake in such gruesome activities.

Meghan helped plant over 400 trees in the Lord's Bush.

  But I did complete several eco-management tasks. At the Sanctuary Park Trust in Tauranga, my study abroad group and I identified and flattened invasive plants to let the native plants grow. During a community service event, the Rattray Street Revamp, we picked up litter throughout the neighborhood and nearby parks. After a rock climbing class field trip, we offset the carbon footprint of our travels and planted over 400 young trees in the Lord’s Bush.

            Kiwis are very attuned to the outdoors: how could they not be with such gorgeous landscapes? Many Kiwis are avid hikers and campers. They love their adrenaline sports, like white water kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, splunking, zorbing, canyoning, and more.  Spending so much time in the outdoors makes New Zealanders care very much about the upkeep of their environment, which is evident through the popular support of Keep New Zealand Beautiful, a charitable trust non-profit that works to prevent litter and waste and beautify the country. Volunteers and stickers, t-shirts, and posters are everywhere in New Zealand, reminding everyone to be a tidy Kiwi.