Patui Ancient Forest Restoration
In the wilderness of New Zealand, you will find Patui - a remnant of the incredible ancient forest ecosystems that were once found all over the region. A mix of original and old growth forest, Patui is home to a wealth of native wildlife, including critically endangered long-tailed bats and kiwi birds.
This project will help to bring back the forest by planting trees and ensuring that the native wildlife continue to have a place to call home.
Photo credit: Jake Goonan
In partnership with Native Forest Restoration Trust
A community-based organisation of several thousand supporters and volunteers that stand together to buy land and restore native forest and wetland in New Zealand.
Location
Nestled in the coastal and mountainous region of the western side of New Zealand's North Island, Patui can be found near East Taranaki, within the Matemateaonga Ecological District and Patea river catchment.
The project covers 361 hectares of native forest and land in need of restoration.
Background
The Patui Forest is a unique ecosystem that includes a mix of original and old growth forest with smaller areas of modified native vegetation (mainly mānuka).
Half the land remains a mature native forest whilst the rest was cleared for grazing or has been subject to historical logging, disrupting the natural ecosystem and affecting the ability for wildlife to survive within the forest.
Thankfully the area has been under private ownership and was not intensively farmed, meaning a glimmer of hope remains for the restoration of this stunning native habitat.
Photo credit: Jake Goonan
Approach
In 2024 this project will plant 52,500 trees adjacent to the existing remnant forest. These trees will help restore Patui to its former glory and protect it's precious, endangered wildlife.
The Native Forest Restoration Trust (NFRT) have created a Biodiversity Plan for Patui, including a work programme focussed on:
- Legal protection
- Signage
- Track-cutting
- Upgrades and maintenance of fencing to protect access to bush remnants
- Invasive pest, plant and animal control
- Assessing and regenerating ecosystem conditions
An extensive project is already underway, with 12 hectares already planted, including 14,000 mānuka as an initial cover canopy crop.
Environmental Benefits
Patui is home to incredibly rare wildlife including long-tailed bats and a diverse range of birds.The tui, fantail and morepork thrive in the forest while rarer species such as New Zealand falcon, North Island robin, whitehead, grey duck and dabchick have all been observed in recent times. Even kiwi are present here!
Reforestation not only removes CO2 but creates additional habitat for these precious native species to live. The project will focus on planting a high proportion of eco-sourced native mānuka as a pioneer species, to establish conditions that will allow other species to thrive.
Community
This project provides employment to local organisations and community for trapping, track cutting, fencing, planting and maintenance.
In due course, the Native Forest Restoration Trust plans to open Patui as a nature reserve for all locals and visitors to New Zealand to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) What Captain's Pack options benefit which of the 2x projects?
A) Essentials = 1x tree planted in Morocco
Value = 1x tree planted in Morocco & 1x tree planted in New Zealand
Plus = 2x trees planted in Morocco & 1x tree planted in New Zealand
Q) Does this initiative offset my trip?
A) This is not a carbon-based initiative and does not offset any element of your trip.
Q) Who is planting the trees?
A) Both Flight Centre and Reforest take tree planting very seriously, and only partner with the best on-the-ground. Our partners need to be local themselves, understanding the ecology of the ecosystems and best approaches for restoring them. They know their local landscapes like the back of their hand and have strong relationships with the community. You can learn more about the specific partner for each project here and here. We’re all about transparency and want you to feel confident that your trees are in good hands.
Q) When will the trees be planted?
A) To ensure your trees survive and thrive, they need to be planted in the right place, in the right way, at the right time of year. Based on climate and rainfall, it’s a different time of year in different regions. So, depending on the location of your project, it could be next week or up to 12 months away.
Q) Will I get notified when my tree is planted?
A) No, however, you can follow the planting journey by visiting our page here. For more information around your project, subscribe to the Reforest newsletters.
Q) How does the 1mil tree target work?
A) Between September 2023 and September 2024, we are aiming to buy 1 million trees collectively across all of our Flight Centre + Reforest Planting for the Planet projects. Due to seasonality, not all trees may be planted within the 12x month period but may fall into the following planting season.
Q) How will we know once we have hit 1mil trees?
A) Each month we will update this page with how we are tracking against target.
Q) Can I visit the trees?
A) We totally understand the desire to visit your trees – we're tree lovers too! However, some of the projects are on private land or in sensitive locations, so we can’t always guarantee public access. But don’t worry, depending on where you are based, and where the projects are located, you may be able to take part in a community planting day (at your own cost).
To find out more about community planting days that you and your customers can attend, sign up to the Reforest newsletter.
Q) How do I know that my trees are actually planted and protected?
A) Rest assured, we take the responsibility of planting and protecting the trees very seriously. Our partner, Reforest, has a strict integrity and verification process with each of the planting partners on the ground. This includes regular updates and reports with geo-tagged photos and videos showing the progress of the trees (we like to think of them as the tree's baby pictures, showing how they are growing up!). We're all about transparency and you can see these photos and receive updates on the projects by subscribing to the Reforest newsletter.
Q) What happens if a fire or other event destroys my trees?
A) Fire is a tough challenge for any reforestation project, but it’s not a reason to give up on planting trees. These projects are run by local experts who take steps to minimize fire risk, such as over-planting and selecting species that are fire and climate resilient. While we can’t guarantee that nothing will ever happen, we work hard to spread the risk across a diverse portfolio of projects and plan ahead of potential risks
Terms & Conditions
Captain’s Pack can be purchased in-store or over-the-phone:
Your Captain's Pack must be booked and paid for in full at the time of paying your initial deposit for your booking. Captain's Pack cannot be added to a fare or upgraded to another Captain’s Pack after you have paid your deposit or once your fare has been ticketed. Please contact your Travel Expert for any Captain’s Pack Price Drop Protection enquiries or claims on Captain’s Pack purchased in-store or over-the-phone. Captain’s Packs are non-refundable for changes of mind or cancellation by you (subject to your refund and remedy rights under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act). Captain’s Pack bonuses are not valid on any other booking.
The Terms and Conditions set out on this webpage apply to all in-store and over-the-phone purchases of Captain’s Packs. This offer is not available from or able to be booked by Flight Centre Independent travel consultants as they operate independent businesses. Captain’s Packs are available only from Flight Centre stores where Captain’s Packs are sold by Flight Centre from time to time.
1 & 2. Waive Flight Centre’s Change and Cancellation Fees
Captain’s Packs with this feature will waive the Change and/or Cancellation Fees normally charged by us. Supplier Fees may still apply. Details of Flight Centre’s change and cancellation fees can be found in the Booking Terms and Conditions.
3. Price Drop Protection™
Should the price of the airfare that you booked when also purchasing your Captain’s Value Pack or Captain’s Plus Pack fall below the price you paid within 30 days of your purchase, you will be able to make a claim for Price Drop Protection. Price Drop Protection only applies to airfares (not accommodation, other travel or to holiday packages) purchased in conjunction with a Captain’s Value Pack (up to $50pp) or Captain’s Plus Pack (up to $500pp), and it may only be claimed once. Price Drop Protection only applies to genuine airfares from airlines and businesses registered with the New Zealand Companies Office, airlines own websites and Flight Centre, including www.flightcentre.co.nz, for travel that originates in and departs from New Zealand.
Fare must be in writing and presented to us on the same day as it was advertised (which must be prior to your departure and otherwise within thirty (30) days of the date that you purchased (in full) your Captain’s Value Pack or Captain’s Plus Pack), showing the final price including all applicable fees and charges (including booking/service fees and all charges for your original form of payment) in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Fare must be for the same form of payment and must be available, able to be booked by the general public when you bring it to us and be for the same dates, airlines, number of passengers, cabin classes and flight numbers. The written fare must show the date it was advertised and the final price including all applicable fees and charges (including booking/service fees and all charges for the form of payment chosen). Flight Centre’s Travel Expert Service Fees are not part of the airfare prices and therefore will be excluded when evaluating. Fares available due to membership of a group or corporate entity or subscription to a closed group or fares discounted due to a government subsidy or scheme are excluded.
Should the fare be less than the fare that you booked when also purchasing your Captain’s Pack, we will issue a Price Drop Protection credit to you for the difference between the fare you paid and the lower fare, up to $50 per person for Captain’s Value Pack and up to $500 per person for Captain’s Plus Pack. Flight Centre’s Travel Expert Service Fees are not part of the airfare prices and therefore will be excluded from the value of the Price Drop Protection credit. Price Drop Protection only applies to your domestic flight within New Zealand or your international flight departing New Zealand.
If flights are reissued within 30 days of purchase, a Price Drop Protection claim is calculated on the original airfare value at time of purchase.
If you wish to make a claim for Price Drop Protection prior to full payment for your fare, you must first pay for your fare in full.
If you cancel the airfare you booked when you purchased your Captain's Pack and submit the airfare for a refund (if applicable) and your Price Drop Protection credit has not been used, the Price Drop Protection credit will be cancelled, and you will be refunded (subject to the refund being approved by the airline) the full value of the original airfare purchased less the applicable airline cancellation fees. If your Price Drop Protection credit has been used, the value of the Price Drop Protection credit will be deducted from the refund due on the original airfare in addition to the airline’s cancellation fee.
If you cancel the airfare you booked when you purchased your Captain’s Pack and the airline has provided you with a credit for the airfare, the value of your Captain’s Pack will be held in credit. For Captain’s Packs held in credit, any future Price Drop Protection claims will be assessed based on the value of the flights at the time of re-booking, not the original value of the cancelled fare. The new value to be assessed against will be cited on your invoice at the time of re-booking. Should the price of the airfare you re-book using the airline credit fall below your purchase price prior to your departure date, we will (subject to the Price Drop Protection claim terms being satisfied) issue a Price Drop Protection credit to you for the difference between the fare you paid when you re-booked and the lower fare, up to $50 per person for Captain’s Value Pack and up to $500 per person for Captain’s Plus Pack.
How can I make a claim for Price Drop Protection?
Step 1: Bring us an advertised airfare available within thirty (30) days of the date you pay for your Captain’s Pack in full and otherwise prior to your departure date.
Your fare must be in writing and must relate to standard airfares available to the general public. Your genuine advertised fare must be presented to us on the same day as it was advertised and prior to your departure date. Travel must originate/depart from New Zealand. Price Drop Protection only applies to airfares (not accommodation, other travel or to holiday packages) purchased in conjunction with a Captain’s Value Pack or Captain’s Plus Pack and may only be claimed once. The fare must show the date it was advertised and show the final price including all fees and charges (including booking/service fees and all charges for the form of payment chosen). If your fare is from a website, it must show the final price payable at the final payment stage and must show all applicable fees and charges. Fare must be for the same form of payment as you have paid or will pay Flight Centre (e.g. cash, credit card). If you wish to make a claim for Price Drop Protection prior to full payment for your fare, you must pay for your fare in full at the time of making your Price Drop Protection claim.
Contacting us:
* For Price Drop Protection enquiries or claims on Captain’s Packs purchased in-store or over the phone, please contact your Travel Expert or the store where your booking was made.
You can provide genuine quoted airfares in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) from:
- Other New Zealand travel agencies registered with the New Zealand Companies office;
- Airlines’ own genuine fares/websites;
- New Zealand businesses registered with the New Zealand Companies Office; and
- Flight Centre and www.flightcentre.co.nz
Step 2: Confirmation that the fare is genuine and available
We will then need to confirm that the fare is genuine, available and able to be booked by the general public when you present it to us. If it is, we will issue a Price Drop Protection credit to you for the difference between the fare you paid and the lower fare, up to $50 per person for Captain’s Value Pack and up to $500 per person for Captain’s Plus Pack.
The Price Drop Protection credit will be valid for 12 months from date of issue.
If we reasonably believe your written fare contains an error in the pricing of the fare, or that the pricing, fare or booking class offered is no longer available to book on the same date, airline and flight number, for the same number of passengers, we may decline to provide you with a Price Drop Protection credit.
Price Drop Protection credit
Price Drop Protection credit is valid for use within any Flight Centre store in New Zealand only. The intention to use the Price Drop Protection credit must be advised to the Flight Centre Travel Expert at the time of booking in order to use it. The Price Drop Protection credit can be used on new bookings only. The Price Drop Protection credit must be used within 12 months from when you receive it. The Price Drop Protection credit may be used in whole or part during that 12 month period. Where used in part, no change will be given; only the remaining credit balance. Any unused Price Drop Protection credit balance may be used against future purchases but will not be refunded or further credited when the Price Drop Protection credit expires. The Price Drop Protection credit is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash, traveller’s cheques, cash passports or any other form of currency nor used in conjunction with any other offer. Flight Centre’s usual Booking Terms and Conditions will apply to your booking. The Price Drop Protection credit must be used in-store or over the phone and cannot be used for online purchases.
5. Lost Baggage
All Captain’s Packs with this feature will receive the Lost Baggage Service operated by Blue Ribbon Bags (BRB). This applies to checked bags only. If your bag does not arrive at your destination when you do and is not located within 96hrs, you will receive either NZ$500 per bag on the Captain’s Essentials Pack, NZ$750 per bag on the Captain’s Value Pack or NZ$1,000 per bag on the Captain’s Plus Pack. There is a limit of 2 bags per cashback claim.
After reporting your missing bag to the airline, you must also report your missing bag to BRB within 24 hours of that flight landing. To file a new Mishandled Baggage Report use BRB's website here or call +1 (888) BAGGAGE (+1 (888) 224-4243), or online at https://flightcentre.blueribbonbags.com BRB will track and attempt to expedite the return of your missing bag for you and keep you informed of any progress. The Lost Baggage Service works alongside any travel insurance you might have. All Blue Ribbon Bags services are subject to their Service Agreement detailed here.
6. Discount on Travel Insurance
If you purchase a Flight Centre Travel Insurance policy with a Captain’s Value Pack or Captain's Plus Pack, we will give you a 5% discount off the cost of the policy. This insurance is underwritten by the insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited (MSI), ABN 49 000 525 637, AFSL 240816. Europ Assistance Australia Pty Ltd (EAA) ABN 71140219594, AFSL 552106 holds a binding authority from the insurer, MSI to issue contracts of insurance and to deal with or settle claims on MSI’s behalf and as MSI’s agent. Flight Centre Travel Group Limited, ACN 003 377 188 AR No 228097, trading as Flight Centre, is an Authorised Representative appointed by EAA to distribute and administer this insurance product. Any advice is general advice only. Consider and read the combined FSG/PDS and TMD and your personal circumstances before purchasing Travel Insurance.
7. Family Bonus
Captain’s Packs with this feature receive a Family Bonus - when any adult purchases a Captain’s Plus Pack, all children (Under 12 years at the time of travel) will also each individually receive the benefits of the Captain’s Plus Pack, excluding Planting for the Planet.
8. Planting for the Planet
We have partnered with Reforest Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 89 629 970 467) to assist in tree planting projects in Morocco and New Zealand. Visit https://www.flightcentre.co.nz/p/planting-for-the-planet for full project details. If you have a Captain’s Essentials Pack we will pay for one tree to be planted in Morocco; if you have a Captain’s Value Pack we will pay for one tree to be planted in Morocco and one tree to be planted in New Zealand; and if you have a Captain’s Plus Pack we will pay for 2 trees to be planted in Morocco and 1 tree in New Zealand.
Flight Centre's booking terms and conditions
Flight Centre’s usual Booking Terms & Conditions will also apply to your booking. These are available here: https://help.flightcentre.co.nz/s/article/booking-terms-conditions-nz
Help & support
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Lowest Airfare Guarantee is no longer valid at Flight Centre stores in New Zealand as of Thursday 14 July 2022. Click here for more information.
*Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Prices & taxes are in NZD and are correct as at the date of publication & are subject to availability and change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until the dates specified unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person. We charge a Travel Expert Service Fee for bookings made with our travel experts in store, via email or over the phone and an Online Booking Fee for flight bookings made online. These fees are charged in addition to the advertised price and displayed fares. Merchant fees apply and depend on your chosen payment method. View Booking Terms and Conditions for more information.