Since 2015, Whangamatā family owned Kayak and Paddleboard business, Surfsup have been remarkable tour operators and online retail shop renowned for its eco-friendly ethos, running an environmentally aware business with a strong social presence.
Surfsup company owner, Mauro Bender Dal Bosco says sustainability and social consciousness have been the core of Surfsup from day one.
He says his philosophy is straightforward: “When you depend on nature for your livelihood, it only makes sense to run an environmentally conscious business that also serves social purposes”.
Previously a simple surf shop, Surfsup had a larger vision. A vision that aimed to transition into a tour guide company, highlighting the beauty and significance of Kura Island. “We wanted to take visitors and expose the island, but this island is sacred ground,” Mauro says.
Before proceeding with their plans, the first thing Surfsup did was to approach the local Iwi for permission to showcase the islands to visitors. The Iwi suggested protocols, shaping Surfsup’s path towards a more sustainable business model.
In its essence, Surfsup’s operations are about giving back to the community.
“Before COVID, we started feeling that as the business evolved, we were causing a negative impact on the local area.” The influx of people, despite bringing in income, was leaving a mark on the environment, with freedom campers leaving rubbish behind,” he says.
In response, Surfsup pivoted to embrace more sustainable practices, from using locally made, refillable cleaning products for their accommodations to encouraging visitors to adopt a ‘travel slow, travel green’ philosophy.
“COVID was a wakeup call. The pandemic forced Surfsup to rethink its strategy, moving away from a reliance on international travellers to cater to Kiwis. Despite initial struggles, Mauro and his team noticed a silver lining: locals began rallying around their cause, supporting Surfsup throughout the challenging times.
Mauro is clear that while Surfsup has always had a commitment to greener business practices, there’s still work to be done. The challenge now is balancing the need to remain profitable and cover the essentials with their desire to expand sustainable initiatives.
Underlining the reality that every business decision has environmental and social consequences, Mauro says: “You’ve got to compensate in another way for the damage you are creating”.
One significant area of Surfsup’s focus has been the guardianship of Whenuakura Island, a wildlife sanctuary.
“When we first started going to the island, people would land there without even knowing its name. Part of our job was to protect the island and make sure people don’t go there unsupervised,” he says.
Surfsup has long invested in the practice of kaitiakitanga, a Māori concept of guardianship and conservation of the land. This is most evident in their relationship with Whenuakura Island. Through the local Iwi and Department of Conservation, Surfsup has taken a stand to preserve the island’s flora and fauna. The idea isn’t about ownership, but responsibility.
Surfsup aims to spread this philosophy to younger generations through their eco-Ppoject, educating them about reusability and waste limitation. But ultimately, it all comes down to one simple principle.
“It’s part of who we are and what we do,” says Mauro.
Learn more about Whenuakura Island, the Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding islands here.
