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Pōhatu Penguins regenerative Eco-tours. How it started and Shireen’s influence.
Discover the unique story of how our regenerative tourism principles started.
Shireen May Helps, an extraordinary woman with a passion for her backyard.
Shireen May Helps, an extraordinary woman with a passion for her backyard.
Pōhatu Penguins regenerative Eco-tours.
How it started and Shireen’s influence.
Photos Shireen Helps, the founder of Pōhatu Penguins Eco-tours.
Regenerative tourism ensures that tourism gives back more to people and places than it takes. Tourism must generate more than just economic gain; it must actively enrich our local communities and help preserve sustainable environments for future generations to enjoy.
Are Pōhatu penguins’ eco-tours regenerative?
Our team and family have always had regenerative principles at the heart of our tourism business. But back in the day, the word regenerative was relatively absent, even if we were loosely following its principles without giving it a name.
In the late 90’s when Shireen Helps created Pōhatu penguins’ eco-tours, her main goal was to control reckless people who were disturbing the Kororā/little penguins on the beach at night, walking around their farm (a private property), trespassing and trying to find penguins on their own. Often, they didn’t understand the damage they could cause with uncontrolled tourism. Shireen wanted to ensure people appreciated the importance of not disturbing Kororā and controlling this situation.
She believed having small visitor groups would create personal, informative and important discussions about the plight of the penguins. Shireen always said: “If people want to see penguins in Pōhatu, they have to bloody well learn something, and help pay for their conservation!”. So, that has pretty much been our motto ever since.
For the least disturbance to the colony, Shireen wanted the bay to be kept as natural as possible.
No artificial lights, keeping distance from wildlife, observing from hides with camouflage clothing, remaining quiet and most importantly, NO tours after dark – that’s penguin hour! Sometimes people are disappointed that we leave before complete darkness, as viewing is restricted to a certain timeframe. However, knowing our Pōhatu penguins must hike to their nests from the sea, often climbing as high as 206 metres up a hill, makes it even more important to be out of their way.
In the late 90’s when Shireen Helps created Pōhatu penguins’ eco-tours, her main goal was to control reckless people who were disturbing the Kororā/little penguins on the beach at night, walking around their farm (a private property), trespassing and trying to find penguins on their own. Often, they didn’t understand the damage they could cause with uncontrolled tourism. Shireen wanted to ensure people appreciated the importance of not disturbing Kororā and controlling this situation.
She believed having small visitor groups would create personal, informative and important discussions about the plight of the penguins. Shireen always said: “If people want to see penguins in Pōhatu, they have to bloody well learn something, and help pay for their conservation!”. So, that has pretty much been our motto ever since.
For the least disturbance to the colony, Shireen wanted the bay to be kept as natural as possible.
No artificial lights, keeping distance from wildlife, observing from hides with camouflage clothing, remaining quiet and most importantly, NO tours after dark – that’s penguin hour! Sometimes people are disappointed that we leave before complete darkness, as viewing is restricted to a certain timeframe. However, knowing our Pōhatu penguins must hike to their nests from the sea, often climbing as high as 206 metres up a hill, makes it even more important to be out of their way.
Another part of the project focused on acquiring the tools needed to work with Kororā/ little penguins, from pest control (traps) to Kororā rehabilitation (fish, vet bills and transport to Christchurch). Shireen believed eco-tourism was a way of funding these materials and costs.
As the Pōhatu penguins’ business grew, it began supporting more family members and local people. Shireen always believed firmly that as long as she could pay a living wage and continue the conservation work simultaneously, she would be happy.
In 2021, the whole family was delighted to learn that Shireen and her husband, Francis, were both awarded the Queen’s Honour of Merit for their hard work and their dedication to the conservation efforts in Pōhatu.
As the next generation continues to build the business, Shireen has certainly given us a great foundation, and we believe that as we continue to grow, our regenerative principles will expand further.
If you want to read more about our journey and what we do nowadays, check out this blog: Everything we do
If you want to read more about our journey and what we do nowadays, check out this blog: Everything we do