Source: Love Queenstown
Queenstown Lakes, New Zealand (7 August 2026) – Queenstown tourism operator Ziptrek Ecotours has become a Love Queenstown Impact Partner, strengthening its support for local climate, conservation and biodiversity projects.
Ziptrek has been involved with the community fund since its launch in 2023, contributing to fundraising events, industry planting days and other environmental initiatives. The new partnership will provide sustained financial backing for grassroots projects across the Whakatipu.
Founder Trent Yeo says the partnership is a natural fit for Ziptrek and reflects the company’s belief in businesses working together.
“We love working with Love Queenstown, and this step makes our support more direct and ongoing,” he says. “No one can do it individually. Collectively is much better.”
Love Queenstown Community Fund Coordinator Ash Bickley says Ziptrek has long demonstrated responsible tourism in practice.
“Trent and the team have been an inspiration in this space, showing what’s possible when a business puts people and place at the heart of everything it does,” she says.
Since opening above Queenstown in 2009, Ziptrek has planted more than 6,000 native trees and contributed well over $250,000 to community and environmental organisations.
Its support has included Mana Tāhuna, Kiwi Birdlife Park and Sustainable Queenstown, alongside Locals’ Days, staff volunteering, environmental restoration, and education.
Ziptrek was also Queenstown’s first tourism operator to achieve Net Zero Carbon Business Operations certification, which it has maintained for six consecutive years.
Trent says Love Queenstown gives businesses and visitors a trusted, practical way to contribute to the place they live in or visit.
“Queenstown is developing as a place where people can formally, functionally and loudly contribute,” he says. “And our community wants to see that.”
After almost two decades in tourism, he says sustainability should become a normal part of doing business.
“You have to be simultaneously patient and impatient about these things,” he says.
“The whole idea of sustainable tourism should disappear and just become normal. I am hopeful. I’m also still impatient.”
He says Love Queenstown enables businesses to support credible local organisations without having to identify, assess and administer individual projects themselves.
“Love Queenstown is sitting there waiting to be fed,” he says. “It’s a very solid way to ethically give out money without every business having to work out who receives it and whether they’re the right organisation. Love Queenstown manages that.”
Love Queenstown Impact Partners commit either 1% of net proceeds or $10,000 or more annually. Contributions are pooled, with 80% supporting immediate environmental action through annual Impact Grants and 20% invested in an endowment fund for future generations.
About Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka
The Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka Community Funds support grassroots environmental efforts, providing an opportunity for visitors and businesses to give back and help care for the environment at the heart of our region.
Launched in 2023, Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka were the first initiatives to come to life from the region’s Destination Management Plan: Travel to a Thriving Future. They are delivered in partnership with Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and the 45South Community Foundation.
Grants are available on an annual, contestable basis for charitable organisations undertaking local climate, conservation and biodiversity work.
About Ziptrek Ecotours
Ziptrek Ecotours has operated zipline experiences in the forest above Queenstown since 2009. Environmental stewardship and education are integrated throughout its operations, visitor experiences and community partnerships.
Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown are initiatives of Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown and are delivered in partnership with 45 South Community Foundation. (CC55258).