Not many tourism businesses have been expanding since New Zealand’s borders closed to international visitors, but one local adventure attraction is bucking the trend.

Not only is it expanding, Wānaka’s Wildwire (a via ferrata waterfall climb) is embracing regenerative tourism with its new canyoning adventure.

Wildwire managing director Mark Morrison said Covid has given the business “the gift of time” to develop a sustainable product that gives back to both the environment, community, and the business’s staff.

Moving beyond sustainability Wānaka is embracing the ethos of regenerative tourism, the idea that tourism leaves a place better than it was before.

“This means looking at ways for tourism to improve our place, socially, environmentally, culturally, while still providing economic return; reducing the strain on a destination through a regenerative way of thinking,” Mark said.

The abseiling adventure will include native planting and clearing predator traps. 

As part of the new Wildwire adventure, participants will plant a native seedling and clear predator traps along the way.

Lake Wānaka Tourism general manager Tim Barke said it has been “uplifting to see progress and expansion in a way that represents the core values of our place” after a difficult few years in the tourism industry.

“It’s inspirational to see Wildwire moving forward with such a unique offering that embodies the regenerative approach,” he said.

Mark said he was excited to offer people an exciting abseiling adventure as well as “an opportunity to create a legacy”.

“Imagine this area in 50 years’ time, and to reflect that we all would have had a part in making it a better place.”

Wildwire’s The Full Canyon adventure includes a helicopter ride to the top, 350 metres of waterfall abseiling, and an 80metre zip line to finish. There are two options for an easier or full-adrenaline adventure.

PHOTOS: Supplied