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Auckland Sea Kayaks has been recognised for its community and environmental impact at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2025, winning the Avis Budget Community Engagement Award and named a finalist in the Tourism Excellence Award – Micro Business category.
The honours celebrate the operator’s commitment to people and place — connecting thousands with the Hauraki Gulf, empowering young people into outdoor careers, and protecting the moana through conservation and collaboration.
Judges praised the company’s approach, saying:
“Doing good is embedded in Auckland Sea Kayaks’ DNA, with deep community connections creating meaningful opportunities for environmental engagement, empowering young people and proving small businesses can make a powerful, lasting impact.”
Founded and led by Nic Mead, Auckland Sea Kayaks has spent more than a decade building a tourism model grounded in kaitiakitanga, youth development and inclusive access to nature.
“This one’s for the people,” Nic says. “The people who dedicate their energy to Auckland Sea Kayaks, the communities we paddle alongside, and every single person who’s shared a kayak journey with us. It’s a celebration of what happens when good people come together with purpose.”
Making a difference on and off the water
The operator runs free clean-ups across the Hauraki Gulf and partners with AdventureWorks and Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust to deliver environmental education, paid training and pathways into the outdoor sector for youth and emerging guides.
Auckland Sea Kayaks also maintains strong visitor experience standards, achieving a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 92, well above national adventure tourism benchmarks. Its Sunset Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island remains one of the most popular experiences in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Expanding the Coastal Conservation Fund
Building on its success, Auckland Sea Kayaks is expanding its Coastal Conservation Fund, adding six additional off-season clean-ups each year and developing bilingual educational resources to strengthen community connection to the moana. The company also plans to train guides in biodiversity storytelling.
“Our vision is simple,” Nic says. “Create unforgettable ways for people to experience the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park — and protect these places while we’re at it.”
