Drive for good

If you're concerned about the impact your motorhome travels have on the environment, here's your chance to put things right by funding the planting of native trees to offset your fuel emissions.

Greenfund is a joint venture between the NZMCA and Greenfleet – an organisation with a rock-solid, 20-year track record in enhancing the environment – which simply and easily enables NZMCA members to show their concern for the environment in a very practical way.

It works like this: All contributions to the Greenfund will be ploughed into the planting of native trees here in New Zealand – offsetting (fully or partially, depending on the extent of your donation) the impact of your fossil-fuel powered vehicle.

It's an ideal way for members with a heart for environmental protection to make a positive difference to their communities. It’s also a very visible demonstration of the NZMCA’s commitment to ensuring New Zealand’s precious natural environment is protected and preserved for the generations to come.

The Association has already taken the first step in this regard – contributing $10,000 to fund the planting of native trees at Te Muri Regional Park, on the northern outskirts of Auckland. Now, this Greenfund initiative gives members the same opportunity. 

These contributions are entirely voluntary and how much you give is your choice. However, as a guideline, each 750kms you drive can be offset by the planting of one tree.

Who is Greenfleet?

Greenfleet is an environmental not-for-profit organisation dedicated to connecting people with real climate action. They are Australia and New Zealand's most respected source of biodiverse carbon offsets.

Since 1997, they have planted more than 9.1 million native trees across 475 biodiverse forests in Australia and New Zealand to offset carbon emissions on behalf of thousands of leading brands, businesses, councils, universities, NGOs and individuals.

The First Step

With a proud history of caring for the environment, the NZMCA's partnership with Greenfleet was kicked off by a tree planting project at the Te Muri Regional Park last year. 

The Association’s initial $10,000 funding will pay for some 2,488 native trees – including pohutukawa, karaka, rewarewa, puriri, tanekaha and kahikatea - to be planted in a 2.5ha area of the park.

This initial project was undertaken as a trial with about 20 NZMCA members invited to assist with the planting.Te Muri Regional Park – which is about 45 minutes drive north of central Auckland – was purchased in 2010 and is a beautiful spot overlooking Mahurangi Harbour.

Greenfleet began helping to revegetate part of the land with native vegetation last year and so far some 4,000 native seedlings have been planted. The goal is to eventually plant about 200ha of the Park (that’s around 200,000 native trees!).