Plant as you go

Plant as you Go is a Nelson City Council tree donation programme designed especially for travellers. It helps you voluntarily reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to the natural environment of our beautiful city.

The idea is simple. For every kilometre you travel - whether by car or by plane - the calculator to the right can give you the amount of carbon produced. Enter your departure and arrival points to find out what your travelling will or has produced and you will learn how many new trees would offset that carbon.

How to purchase trees

You can purchase as many trees as you wish (to make up either the full or partial amount of the carbon you have generated) with the link on the calculator provided. Trees cost $25 each, which includes the tree itself as well as planting and all future maintenance.

Visit your trees

Trees will planted at Sir Stanley Whitehead Park next to the Centre of New Zealand. 

When visiting Nelson, you can visit the Plant as you Go plantings as part of a beautiful riverside and bush circular walk which takes in the Centre of New Zealand, great sea views of Nelson and ends at one of our iconic cafés and boutique brewery set in a Founders Heritage Park.

Why have a tree planting programme?

Trees play a significant role in combating climate change.  They are a living thriving organism actively absorbing CO2 throughout their life cycle.  In addition, trees provide shelter and habitat, as well as improving the quality of the environment we all live in. 

Nelson City Council has always invested in an active tree planting programme, both with the aim of biodiversity conservation and regeneration, and in recognition of environmental and social connections that go with tree planting in our reserves.  Additionally, the benefits of carbon sequestration are also recognised when regenerating indigenous vegetation through planting.

What else can I do on my trip?

Use the events calendar on the right to find out if there are any environmental activities such as community planting days taking place during your visit. 

There are also a range of opportunities at different times to do volunteer work.  Go to the Nelson Environment Centre newsletter for more information.

Sustainability tips for travellers

Whether you're planning to come to Nelson or already here, sustainable travel practices will make a difference to your effect on the environment. Here's some handy tips:

Home sweet home

Getting around

This is a beautiful region – whenever you can try the following:

  • walk 
  • cycle 
  • bus services
  • If you’re driving, hire a fuel efficient vehicle, drive smoothly and avoid short trips where possible
  • Hire a bike
  • Choose trips offering sustainable transport options

Waste not, want not

  • Use re-usable drinks cups and bottles
  • Reduce and re-use – your own shopping bags are a great place to start
  • Use local recycling bins (in Nelson centre on Trafalgar Street and by i-site, and Love NZ bins in towns around the region)

Our beautiful place

  • Protect our rivers and streams – wash and dry feet and gear between waterways to keep pests like the didymo algae spreading
  • Visit our parks and sanctuaries – take time out to enjoy them, and even support their valuable conservation work through getting hands on or by making a donation to your favourite park
  • If you are freedom camping, please follow local rules and don’t pollute our region with rubbish or worse for other people to find

Learn new things about our people and places

The customs and values of our first migrants -- tangata whenua (people of the land) -- are a vital aspect of New Zealand life. You'll find many opportunities to learn about Māori heritage and culture while you're here or get involved in environmental volunteering while you are here, visit the Eco Events calendar.

For more information

Contact the Sustainability officers at Nelson City Council +64 3 546 0200 or Tasman District Council +64 3 543 8400, or visit the Nelson Tasman Tourism Sustainable Tourism website.