Avani Queenstown has become a Love Queenstown Impact Partner, providing financial support for grassroots climate, conservation and biodiversity projects across the Whakatipu.
The new lakefront hotel is part of Minor Hotels, and the partnership builds on the group’s wider sustainability work, which includes coral restoration in the Maldives, sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka and support for wildlife protection in Cambodia through Cardamom Tented Camp.
Minor International has also committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is working to reduce water use, single-use plastics, and organic waste across its hotels.
Australasia Director of Operations Russell Cool says the decision to support Love Queenstown began with a simple question.
“We asked ourselves what kind of neighbour we want to be here in Queenstown, and we want Avani Queenstown to be an integral part of the local community and to champion good work for a prosperous future.”
He says Love Queenstown’s track record gave the hotel confidence its support would make a difference.
“Love Queenstown has built real credibility in this region since 2023, channelling funding directly to grassroots environmental groups,” he says.
“Partnering with them wasn’t about ticking a sustainability box, it was about backing an organisation that’s already doing the work well. That’s why we wanted to jump on board as an Impact Partner.”
Queenstown is home to the Avani brand’s only alpine resort, with the natural environment central to the experience its guests come for.
Love Queenstown Impact Partners commit either 1% of net proceeds or $10,000 or more annually. Contributions are pooled, with 80% supporting immediate environmental action through annual Impact Grants and 20% invested in an endowment fund for future generations.
Cool says seeing the difference its support can make locally is a key motivation for the hotel.
“The Avani Queenstown team wants to see our contribution help fund tangible, on the ground outcomes, more native trees in the ground and stronger support for the community groups doing this work day-to-day.
“Queenstown’s environment is what makes this such an extraordinary place to live and work, and as a new addition to this community, we want to make sure our presence here leaves it better off.”
Love Queenstown Community Fund Coordinator Ash Bickley says the partnership is a welcome commitment to the region.
“It’s exciting to see Avani Queenstown putting down roots here with a commitment to caring for this place. Our community groups bring so much knowledge, energy and dedication to protecting the Whakatipu, and partnerships like this help them achieve more,” Ash says.
“Every new Impact Partner adds to what we can do together. We’re delighted to have the Avani team on board, helping build a future with more native forest, thriving wildlife and an environment we can all be proud to pass on.”
