In August 2023, we were incredibly proud to announce that we are New Zealand’s first Tourism Activity to certify as a B Corp.
So what does this mean? As a B Corporation, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. We couldn’t be happier to be joining the likes of Allbirds, Ethique, Goodnature & Patagonia on our B Corp journey.
B Lab is a nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.
To learn more about our B Corp journey, read the article published on the B Corp website in September 2023. Please CLICK HERE! And for a PDF version, CLICK HERE!
Update: Our 2026 B Corp Recertification Journey
As of 2026, Akaroa Dolphins is currently undertaking our B Corp recertification under B Lab's new certification standards. These updated standards raise the bar significantly, with stronger requirements for environmental stewardship, governance, transparency, and social impact.
As a business that welcomes direct bookings from guests in Europe, we have also assessed that we may fall within the scope of the European Union's Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive. This new legislation is designed to ensure that sustainability claims are credible, transparent, and independently verified. B Lab has aligned its new certification process to meet these expectations for businesses communicating with European consumers.
Our next formal B Corp assessment is due in August 2027. Until then, we remain committed to continuously improving our environmental and social performance while preparing to meet the new standards. We see this not simply as a compliance exercise, but as an opportunity to further strengthen our commitment to marine conservation, our local community, and providing responsible wildlife experiences for visitors from around the world.
For us, being a B Corp has always been about accountability, continual improvement, and ensuring that our business creates a positive impact for people and the planet. We look forward to sharing updates as we progress through the recertification process.