Princess Cruises Local Partnership programme
Princess Cruises Local Partnership programme is giving $1 million for New Zealand projects.
Kids Build New Homes for Bay of Islands Penguins
In 2019 Princess Cruises pledged $2 from every passenger visiting the Bay of Islands and raised $100,000 before the Covid pandemic hit.
Bay Bush Action trustee Brad Windust said the funding has allowed Bay Bush Action to ”massively increase” its pest control work in Ōpua State Forest, which cloaks the hills behind Paihia.
Cruising companies are sometimes criticised for their environmental track record, but Windust said he gave due credit to Princess Cruises for the progress made possible by the Princess Local Partnership programme.
”This is a really positive thing for the Bay of Islands, not only for wildlife but also for the next generation coming through.’’
Princess Cruises intends to gift $1 million to NZ sustainability projects over five years. Closed borders means no donations this season, however Asia-Pacific senior vice-president Stuart Allison said the company remained committed.
”Our friends at Bay Bush Action have been telling us the extra funding through Princess Cruises and its guests has made a big difference to their conservation efforts in Ōpua State Forest. We’re really excited their work is extending to penguin houses on the shores of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds because of our obvious connection with the sea,” said Allison.