Skip to content

E-Ko

🌏 Conservation & Regeneration

HOPE for the Future of Aotearoa’s Endangered Species

At E-Ko – the Endangered Species Konservation Organisation – we believe tourism can heal what it touches.
Our mission is simple: create HOPE for the survival of our endangered species through pragmatic, science-led, and community-driven Regenerative Tourism.

Every guest who joins an E-Ko experience helps protect the environment, restore wildlife, and strengthen our local community.

💚 Our Impact at a Glance

Mammal Sightings Recorded

+8,000 entries

NZ’s Oldest Dataset (1995–2025)

Dolphin Disturbance Reduced

↓ 80% over 8 years

Happier, thriving pods

Endangered Species Education

+5000

Schools , Tourists all receive FREE Education

Revenue Reinvested in Nature

5% after EBITDA

Funded 7 local conservation partners

Guides Trained & Certified (WCA)

120+ professionals

Building NZ’s next generation of marine guardians

Every number represents real-world change — measurable, visible, and deeply human.

🌿 Our Regenerative Framework

We go beyond “sustainability.”
Our regeneration model connects science, community, and education — ensuring every E-Ko journey gives back more than it takes.

1

Biodiversity Recovery

Focus

Protecting endangered species on land and sea.

Example Project

Hector’s Dolphin breeding zones, native podocarp planting.

2

Data & Science

Focus

Collecting and sharing long-term ecological data.

Example Project

30 years of marine mammal research & acoustic monitoring.

3

Education & Training

Focus

Empowering people to become guardians.

Example Project

Marine Guide Training courses & WCA certification. school programs subsidised.

4

Community & Culture

Focus

Strengthening local stewardship and iwi partnerships.

Example Project

SEP Hectors Dolphin stewardship, Tiaki promise.

💧 The E-Ko Conservation Fund

Since day one, E-Ko has returned a portion of every ticket to the environment.
Today, 5% of all E-Ko revenue fuels our fund — 2% reinvested directly into our projects and 3% through sponsorships and partner support.

Supported Partners:

The Land

  • Kiwis for Kiwi – Building Aotearoa’s kiwi population.

  • Birding New Zealand – Sustainable birding and biodiversity tourism.

  • Department of Conservation – Protecting NZ’s natural heritage.

  • Sounds Enhancement Project (SEP) – Native planting: Marine Protected Area: Artificial Reef : Sponsored Education : Acoustic Data Collection : Hector FIN ID

The Sea

  • World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) – Global marine protection partnership.

  • Project Jonah – Rescuing and protecting marine mammals.

  • SEP Artificial Reef Program – Feeding and restoring Hector’s Dolphin habitat.

  • Marine Mammal Research – E-Ko’s daily dataset and acoustic listening project.

The Community

  • Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary – A predator-free peninsula for local wildlife.

  • SEP Dolphin Nursery Zone – Creating safe breeding areas through community support.

  • Tiaki Promise – Caring for New Zealand, for now and for future generations.

  • Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust - removing no native species to decrease sedimentation in sounds.

📩 To apply for support from the E-Ko Fund, email admin@e-ko.nz

🐬 Responsible Encounters — WCA Certified

E-Ko was New Zealand’s first World Cetacean Alliance Certified Dolphin Operator.
We let the dolphins choose whether to interact, rotate the species we swim with, and have voluntarily reduced our swim effort by 80% to ensure animal well-being.

That’s why our mantra is:

“Adventures for Your Soul — Happy People, Happy Dolphins.”

🌊 E-Ko Regeneration Network

E-Ko isn’t just a tour operator — it’s a network for good:

  • E-Ko Tours – Ethical wildlife encounters that fund conservation.

  • Sounds Enhancement Project (SEP) – Large-scale habitat restoration & reef creation.

  • Marine Guide Training – Education for future conservation leaders.

  • Picton Ferry – Connecting travellers to certified regenerative operators.

Together, these projects demonstrate how tourism can drive measurable, long-term regeneration for Aotearoa.

📊 Our Data, Open to the World

We maintain New Zealand’s oldest continuous Marine Mammal Dataset (since 1995), updated daily by our guides.
In 2025, we’ll make this data open-access to universities and PhD researchers worldwide — empowering global marine science collaboration. Our NEW Acoustic Data set on Hectors Dolphins is also available Globally . To Access apply to : Email : ceo@e-ko.nz

🌱 Invest in Regeneration (Coming March 2026)

From March 2026, E-Ko will open opportunities for Impact Investors who share our vision of measurable, nature-positive growth.

Every dollar invested will:

  • Expand marine monitoring and reef creation,

  • Train new marine guides and local youth,

  • Grow our regenerative ferry and tour network across New Zealand,

  • Deliver verified impact against UN SDGs, NZ Biodiversity Strategy, and GSTC frameworks.

📩 Register your interest: investor@e-ko.nz

💬 Join the Movement

“You’re not just taking a tour — you’re regenerating a world.”
Be part of the E-Ko journey. Together, we’ll create HOPE for the Future of Aotearoa’s wildlife, seas, and communities.