BeforeThe area was overgrown with non-native species.
Eco-luxury Accommodation Near Tongariro
Eco‑luxury Accommodation Near Tongariro National Park and the
Ruapehu Ski Areas
Luxury riverside lodge shaped by nature and inspired by place
At Two Rivers Ohakune, sustainability is not something hidden behind a policy document. It is something you can see, feel and be part of - from the native trees taking root beside the river to the solar energy quietly powering your stay.
Set between the Mangawhero and Mangateitei Rivers, with Tongariro National Park and Mt Ruapehu close by, our boutique suites offer a more thoughtful kind of escape. Choose a suite with a private hot tub beneath clear mountain skies, wake to birdsong and flowing water, and enjoy the comfort of knowing your stay supports restoration rather than simply drawing from this remarkable place.
As a Qualmark Gold sustainable tourism business, we combine warm, considered luxury with practical action: renewable energy, riverbank planting, careful waste reduction and support for local suppliers. This is eco‑luxury accommodation near Tongariro: private, restorative and designed to leave this landscape better cared for.
Come explore Eco-luxury Accommodation near Tongariro
This video gives a taste of the multi-year project to replant the terraces on our riverbanks. The invasive species are gone, and native planting is steadily reclaiming the landscape. Set beside the restored river terraces, our three suites are part of this evolving environment, where Eco-luxury Accommodation and nature thrive side by side.
Restoring the Rivers
The Mangawhero and Mangateitei aren't just scenery to us - they're the heart of the property. Since 2024 we've been working through a long-term riverbank restoration programme: clearing invasive species, replanting natives, and slowly giving the habitat back some room to breathe. Non-native grasses, blackberry and bindweed have made way for plants that actually belong here - and for views of the river we couldn't see properly before.
Where we're up to:
Around 50 metres of riverbank restored so far
Over 100 native plants established. Many of the plants are grown locally by Carina's Nursery in Raetihi.
Ongoing invasive species management
A long-term habitat improvement programme, still very much underway
We are already seeing the rewards, with cleaner, more observable waterways and occasional, special sightings or calls of the rare native Whio (blue duck) passing through the property.
Solar-Powered Accommodation
In April 2026 we finished the first phase of our biggest sustainability investment yet - and one we're particularly proud of. Whilst no timescale has been set, the second phase will double our battery storage capacity.
What we installed:
33 solar panels
Around 17kW of solar generation capacity
27kWh of battery storage
A 6kW EV charging station for guests - available only during hours of solar production
The solar system serves the entire property and, based on estimates provided by our installer, is expected to generate around 79% of the property's total annual electricity requirements. The accommodation business accounts for approximately 30% of the property's electricity use, meaning annual solar generation is expected to substantially exceed the electricity attributable to the B&B.
We are always happy to answer questions about our eco-credentials, including the occasional obvious one: "Why do you have electric spa pools if you're eco-conscious?" The answer is straightforward. Their electricity consumption forms part of the approximately 30% of total property electricity use attributable to the B&B - substantially less than the estimated annual generation from our solar system.
Battery storage also allows us to retain some of the electricity generated during daylight hours for use when the solar panels are producing less.
Our Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism assessment considers Two Rivers as an accommodation business, including its energy use and environmental impact. On a personal level, we're looking beyond the B&B too - exploring further efficiencies within the residential part of the property.
What that looks like in practice:
Solar generation equivalent to an estimated 79% of the property's annual electricity requirements
Around 17,412 kWh of solar generation annually
EV charging on-site for guests during solar production
An installer-estimated 2 tonnes of CO₂ saved per year - over the system's lifetime, roughly equivalent to planting 383 trees
Water
Water is an important part of life at Two Rivers. Our suites use efficient dual-flush toilets and modern showers designed to provide comfort while reducing unnecessary consumption.
Drinking water throughout the property is safe, fresh and supplied through the municipal network, while all wastewater is processed through local infrastructure.
Looking ahead, we're exploring opportunities to incorporate rainwater and greywater systems into future operations as part of our long-term sustainability goals.
Reducing Waste
We're always looking for small, practical ways to cut down on waste - nothing dramatic, just steady changes that add up.
Recycling in every guest suite
Composting of food and organic waste
Compostable rubbish bags wherever we can
Cutting back on single-use plastics
Green waste processed through local facilities
Anything we no longer need goes to the community through local charitable donations rather than the tip - and our organic waste goes straight to compost.
Supporting Local
Wherever we can, we buy from Ohakune-based businesses and work with local suppliers and contractors. It's better for the local economy, it usually means less unnecessary transport, and - selfishly - it means we get to work with people we genuinely like.
Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business
We think sustainability claims are only worth something if someone independent checks them. So shortly after buying Two Rivers in 2024, we joined Qualmark, New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality.
We earned Qualmark Silver after our first assessment in 2025, and in 2026 we were reassessed and awarded Qualmark Gold - the highest level. We're genuinely proud of that, and we see it as encouragement to keep going, not a finish line.
Committed to excellence
At Two Rivers Ohakune, luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Our Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business status is incredibly important to us, but our Qualmark assessment also includes a quality rating of 4 Star Plus. For us, the two belong together - our sustainability and accommodation quality are assessed by the same independent body. As an extension of that commitment, we are also proud to be part of the B&B Association NZ Quality Assured programme.
Since purchasing Two Rivers in 2024 and welcoming our first guests, every improvement has been designed to care for both our guests and the environment - from restoring native riverbanks to generating solar power and providing EV charging. Each initiative helps protect this special place while creating an unforgettable stay.
We invite you to experience eco-luxury and join us in caring for Aotearoa New Zealand for future generations.
Our Tiaki PromiseWe commit to caring for New Zealand and ask you to travel responsibly.
B&B Association NZWe are members of an exceptional community that Assures Quality and encourages best practices.
Sustainability You Can Experience
For us, this was never meant to live in a policy document somewhere.
It's in the restored riverbanks, the native plantings, the solar working away quietly on the roof, and the small day-to-day decisions that shape how we run this place. Most importantly, it sits alongside the comfort and privacy we know you're here for.
Soak beneath the stars. Fall asleep to the rivers. Explore Tongariro and Ruapehu at your own pace.
Behind the scenes, we're always working on the next thing - because we want Two Rivers to be a place where luxury genuinely belongs in its surroundings, not just sits on top of them.
Our private suites give you a peaceful riverside base, with Ohakune village a short walk away and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and ski areas easily accessible by local shuttle.
Luxury, we think, feels even better when it belongs in its surroundings.