Eco & Friendly!

Ann’s Volcanic has been affiliated to Greenglobe, since 2002 and ‘EARTHCHECK Assesed ‘since May 2010.  The Gardens are named… The Sindy Garden’ after Sindy, one of Ann’s Motel Managers since 2003 . ‘The Nanna Garden’ named for Ann’s Grandmother, Marj, who started the garden, ‘ The Horseshoe Garden’ was named by Sindy and planted to commemorate World Environment Day in New Zealand, June 2008. There are Feijoas, Gooseberries, miniature Chilean Guavas, grapes, passionfruit, two apple trees and a lemon, a grapefruit and a plum tree. ‘ Dad’s Flowering Cherries’ stand at the back of the motel, causing a havoc of blossoms, in early spring and  ‘Dad’s Camelia Grove’(named for my father Ray), at the back of the studios, flower profusely. ‘ June’s Garden’ named for my mother, June, is a crescent of ‘Eddy’s White Wonder ‘ Dogwood trees, planted in November 2008 and hopefully will add a gorgeous atmosphere when they flower in the Spring.   The cream-coloured trees drape the pink Azaleas, at the entrance to Ann’s Volcanic. The goal is to keep planting trees, until I no longer have any space left. The native Kowhai trees at the front of the motel now bring native Tuis birds in the Spring.   Ann’s Volcanic was the first motel in Rotorua to recycle regularly at the Rotorua District Council Recycling Centre. You can help by leaving your tin cans, bottles, paper and plastics beside you rubbish bin for our staff to take away. We ask you to drop all towels you want exchanged for fresh ones, on the bathroom floor, otherwise hang them on the rail and we will leave them for you to use again. We have 2 clotheslines and drying racks to put in your courtyard.

Rotorua business does its bit for planet

05.06.2008
by Alison Brown

Ann Woolliams may not have green thumbs like her granny but that hasn't stopped her planting fruit trees to help the planet.
The owner of Ann's Volcanic Rotorua Motel and Serviced Apartments already recycles her guests' rubbish and considers her new mini-orchard another step in her mission to be environmentally-friendly.
"We are trying to do our bit." she said."The idea is that the trees give back to the environment and the motel guests might enjoy picking the fruit."Ms Woolliams planted the feijoa, gooseberry and guava trees to celebrate World Environment Day, a United Nations initiative which encourages countries to lower their carbon "footprint". She called on her 93-year-old grandmother, Marj Peters, to help her decide the most appropriate trees to plant."To be honest, I'm rubbish when it comes to gardening," she said."But my mother and grandmother are a wealth of knowledge."
The motel has been in her family for 11 years and during that time, Ms Woolliams had adopted several environmentally-friendly initiatives.
She recycles her guests' rubbish, taking a car-load of empty packaging to the Te Ngae Rd recycling depot.
Signage in all the units encourage guests to avoid buying plastic water bottles and instead drink tap water from glasses.

• Food scraps are given to pigs owned by staff
•  guests are urged leave their vehicles behind and walk or take a bus into town. To help them, she has a hand drawn map on which she highlights her favourite walks around the city.

“ There are so many things to do for free in Rotorua," she said. "We want to educate our guests and enrich their lives by showing them simple things they can do to help the planet."Her efforts include being Green Globe affiliated - a scheme recognising New Zealand tourism operators who show a commitment to the environment. Ms Woolliams said she was constantly looking for ways her business could become "greener".