The Rotorua Aquatic Center welcomed us for a very informative tour. The city is famous for it's Geothermal hot springs, and from what we witnessed it was clear that the Director of the center wanted to use that trait to be sustainable. The full staff shares in this vision, as they have received the "Qualmark-Enviro Gold" accreditation. All of the pool water is warmed using a simple pipeline system connected to a geothermal heat source outside of the building (the city virtually sits on a volcanic land mass!). This, along with their water conservation plan has yielded them a savings of 25% on average since the program was implemented. They have annual water usage audits done, and have come out every time with savings. Also, there is a recycling program and "rubbish fee" program in place. Our guide was kind enough to tour us around the property, explain the systems, and allow us to enter her "shrine," an organic garden behind the building! Overall, it was a very eye opening experience, as I saw that sustainability is not something native Maori's practice, it is a way of life!
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