Conservation Without Compromise
Robb Report Singapore|August 2019

It takes a fraction of a second to admire the beauty of New Zealand, but much more time to truly love it.

Charmaine Tai
Conservation Without Compromise

It has been more than seven years since my last visit to New Zealand and nearly two decades since I first stepped foot onto South Island, which is where I’m headed to once again. I don’t have many memories of my first trip – except that the country featured in my primary school composition about my favourite holiday. Whoever knew that years later, I’d be writing a similar story, with a slightly different lens?

I cling to this thought as I board Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 from Changi Airport to Christchurch. The business class configuration of 1-2-1 comes with all-aisle access which means that I’ll have my own private cocoon. After dinner, the steward folds out my 28-inch leather seat to form a fully flat bed and I call it a night.

Restoring The Land

Upon touchdown in Christchurch, I’m taken on a short city tour courtesy of Canterbury Leisure Tours. Founder Kevin Edlin doesn’t shy away from revealing why the city’s iconic cathedral is still in a state of ruin, despite the earthquake happening eight years ago. “Repairing the structure isn’t difficult,” he says, “but resetting a foundation in preparation for another possible disaster is much more difficult to pull off.”

The country’s vision, one that works towards a ‘pure’ New Zealand, goes beyond rebuilding its structures, minimising waste and recycling.

Here, it means protecting its mountains and forests from pests. Pests – such as rabbits, deer, possums, cats and even sheep – that a tourist would mistake for native wildlife.

This story is from the August 2019 edition of Robb Report Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2019 edition of Robb Report Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ROBB REPORT SINGAPOREView All
BREAKING DOWN WALLS
Robb Report Singapore

BREAKING DOWN WALLS

Georgina Atkinson, managing partner of Origin Private Office, on the evolving landscape of high-end real estate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Aged Gracefully
Robb Report Singapore

Aged Gracefully

The Benromach 50 Years Old by Gordon & MacPhail is a delicious single malt, touched by love, passion and the human hand.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
This Month's Feed
Robb Report Singapore

This Month's Feed

Only the best dining and drinking spots in Singapore.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Small-scale Thinking
Robb Report Singapore

Small-scale Thinking

Architect Todd Saunders wants to change the way we approach hospitality design from the ground up.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Todd Snyder Is Exactly Where He Wants To Be
Robb Report Singapore

Todd Snyder Is Exactly Where He Wants To Be

\"Our whole goal is to present product in a way that guys get it and understand it, versus 'Here's some crazy aspirational brand-you go figure it out on your own'.\"

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Depp Dive Into Sauvage
Robb Report Singapore

Depp Dive Into Sauvage

Johnny Depp on music, scents and the mystique of creativity.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Time For Poetry
Robb Report Singapore

Time For Poetry

Pascal Raffy on his love affair with the 202-year-old house of Bovet.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
One of a Kind
Robb Report Singapore

One of a Kind

The incomparable Lange 1 turns 30 this year and A. Lange & Söhne marks the occasion with its trademark understatement.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
P For Personality
Robb Report Singapore

P For Personality

Enhance your swing, and inject your personal style while you're at it, with TaylorMade's new P-770 and P-7CB irons.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
The Short-hop-adventure-craft Category Takes Off
Robb Report Singapore

The Short-hop-adventure-craft Category Takes Off

Inside the flight deck of Pivotal's Blackfly eVTOL, an ultra-smart ultra-light with eight propellers, electric propulsion and no pilot's licence required.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024