Our Premier Partners
Meet the businesses who are proudly supporting Moana Mark research projects
Committing to sustainable practices and marine conservation
When businesses donate $5,000 or more, they become a Moana Mark Premier Partner. Find out which businesses are giving back to the environment, and supporting sustainable initiatives.
Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses
Inaugural Partner
Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses is Moana Mark's founding partner.
Their support helps fund three key projects: the Kaikōura Marine Research Laboratory, the Leopard Seal Protection Project, and the Sperm Whale Protection Project.
Visit www.hapukulodge.com
“It was a no brainer for us to support this fantastic initiative. Not only is sustainability at the core of our operations, but supporting the marine wildlife that brings us our guests is just the right thing to do.”
General Manager, Emile van der Linde
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Hapuku Lodge is a luxury retreat set on a deer farm at the base of the Kaikōura Seaward Mountain Ranges. Just a kilometre from the coast, it gives guests access to the stunning marine environment that defines the region.
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Driven by a commitment to sustainability, Hapuku Lodge saw a natural fit with Moana Mark. “Our staff and guests love hearing about the research projects we’re funding. It creates a real buzz,” says General Manager Emile van der Linde.
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Owner Tony Wilson, deeply connected to Kaikōura, believes in protecting the marine ecosystems that support local biodiversity and tourism. With no research facility in the region, Hapuku helped change that, funding and building a marine office and laboratory to support scientific mahi.
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Hapuku Lodge contributes $10 for every room night to Moana Mark. In 2024–25, their contribution included:
Donating over $20,000, which supports sperm whale population monitoring, marine mammal science, and conservation.
Wings Over Whales & South Pacific Helicopters
Premier Partner since 2023
These family-owned Kaikōura businesses support the Sperm Whale Protection Project through donations linked to their whale-watching experiences.
Visit www.whales.co.nz
“With both companies benefiting greatly from our local environment, knowing we are partners and supporting a not-for-profit organisation makes us very proud as business owners.”
Owners Dan & Monique
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Family-run and based in Kaikōura, Wings Over Whales and South Pacific Helicopters are led by husband and wife team Dan and Monique. Their mission: showcase the region’s marine life while educating guests about its importance.
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With sustainability at their core, Dan and Monique saw Moana Mark as a natural partner. “Partnering up with Moana Mark means that we can not only operate and know that we are educating customers on Kaikouras’ unique and diverse marine life but also the importance of sustainable practices and marine conservation,” says Dan.
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$1 from every 30-minute whale watching seat (Wings Over Whales)
$10 from every whale watching flight (South Pacific Helicopters)
$50 per person for flights with onboard marine biologist Dr. Krista
Their ongoing support directly funds critical research into sperm whale populations in the region.
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Dan and Monique are excited to see what’s next from Moana Mark, and proud to play a part in protecting the marine environment that makes Kaikōura so unique.
EcoZip Adventures
Premier Partner since 2025
Donations from phone-bungee sales go directly to Moana Mark, and are supported by guest awareness and education initiatives around Moana Mark’s mission.
“By collaborating with Moana Mark, we can help direct resources toward critical marine science, while strengthening a tourism model that genuinely gives back to the environments that sustain it.”
Owner Gavin Oliver
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“At EcoZip Adventures, we offer a uniquely Kiwi blend of adventure, storytelling, and connection to place. From our original home on Waiheke Island to our spectacular new site in Kaikōura, we invite guests to experience New Zealand from a fresh perspective, soaring in pairs on dual ziplines above vineyards, forests, rivers, and mountains, then exploring trails alive with native flora and birdlife. Our work is grounded in kaitiakitanga, so every visitor helps support conservation projects that restore and protect the landscapes we’re privileged to operate in.”
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Sustainability and regeneration sit at the heart of EcoZip because, says Gavin, “I’ve always believed that tourism should give more than it takes. Operating in two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most remarkable environments comes with a responsibility to actively protect and restore them, not simply admire them from a distance. That’s why we invest in pest control, weed eradication, eco-sourced native planting, and many other initiatives, ensuring every guest visit helps the land heal and thrive. For me, regeneration isn’t a marketing line; it’s a commitment to future generations, to our communities, and to the incredible natural landscapes that make EcoZip possible.”
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“Partnering with Moana Mark feels like a completely natural step for us, because Moana Mark’s mission aligns so closely with EcoZip’s values. Beyond our shared commitment to responsible, regenerative tourism, a key reason we want to work with Moana Mark is our strong belief that marine research urgently needs greater funding and support. Operating in coastal environments like Waiheke and Kaikōura has shown us firsthand how vital healthy oceans are: to wildlife, to communities, and to the visitor experiences we’re privileged to deliver. By collaborating with Moana Mark, we can help direct resources toward critical marine science, while strengthening a tourism model that genuinely gives back to the environments that sustain it.”
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“Our support will be multifaceted and create meaningful connections between our guests and Moana Mark. Every time a guest purchases an EcoZip phone bungee to secure their device during their tour, a donation will go to Moana Mark. When guests pick up their bungee, we’ll include information on Moana Mark’s mission, and suggest more ways to donate and make their mark on marine research.”