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For 20 years, Wilderness Motorhomes has invited travellers to take the road less travelled — to linger longer, appreciate small moments, and explore Aotearoa with confidence and care. The company has now received official recognition for the values that have guided it since its founding.
Wilderness Motorhomes has become a Certified B Corporation, joining a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance. The certification places Wilderness alongside international travel companies including Patagonia, Intrepid Travel and Exodus Adventure Travel, and recognises its commitment to using business as a force for good for its guests, its people, its communities and the environment.
Founded in 2004 by chief executive John Managh as a small family venture, Wilderness has grown into one of New Zealand’s premium motorhome providers. There are more than 700 Certified B Corporations across Australia and Aotearoa, and more than 8,500 worldwide.
John says the certification reflects a long-held sense of kaitiakitanga and a belief that great adventures should be responsible ones.
“We’ve always felt a responsibility to look after Aotearoa — not just because our guests travel through it, but because it’s home,” John says. “Becoming a Certified B Corporation is our promise, made visible. It’s independent verification that we’re doing what we say we do, and it challenges us to keep improving for our people, our guests and our environment.”
Starting from an honest place
Wilderness head of digital and sustainability Marcel Peifer says one of the biggest challenges was beginning a B Corp journey in an industry still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
“When you work in an industry built on movement, you learn to live with contradiction,” Marcel says. “We operate a fleet of more than 200 motorhomes, and for years the assumption has been that we’re part of the problem facing sustainable tourism.
“But sustainability isn’t only about electric vehicles. It’s about fleet longevity, design, people, supply chains and making responsible decisions every day.”
Marcel says there are currently no viable electric or hybrid motorhomes that meet the company’s operating needs or New Zealand conditions.
“When the technology is ready, we’ll be among the first to adopt it,” he says. “Until then, we’re focused on what we can control — from refurbishing vehicles to extend their life, to reducing waste, to supporting customers to travel more meaningfully rather than covering long distances.”
The certification process took two years and required Wilderness to achieve a minimum verified score of 80 on the B Impact Assessment, which measures performance across governance, workers, community, environment and customers. Wilderness achieved a verified score of 82.6, compared with a median score of 50 for standard businesses.
The process included a legal commitment to balance purpose and profit, climate targets aligned with global science, investment in native forest regeneration, and enhanced staff wellbeing, including fully subsidised private health insurance for all permanent staff.
What it means for guests and the road ahead
Marcel says the company is now focused on helping customers reduce their own impact while travelling.
“One of the biggest opportunities is encouraging travellers to slow down,” he says. “Driving less creates better experiences, better safety outcomes and a stronger connection with people and place.”
Wilderness is also committed to sharing its experience with others in the tourism sector.
“The more operators that improve their sustainability practices, the better for New Zealand,” Marcel says. “We’re not doing this for competitive advantage — we’re doing it because it’s the right thing.”
John says the certification provides reassurance for guests.
“Confidence their holiday supports a company that values people and planet. Confidence their motorhome has been prepared with care. And confidence the team supporting them is respected, supported and proud of what they do.”
About Wilderness Motorhomes
Wilderness Motorhomes was founded in 2004 by John Managh, with his sister Mary joining a year later. The company operates from bases in Auckland and Christchurch, offering premium motorhome travel experiences across New Zealand.
