The Rees is committed not only to paying a living wage to its team, but also to making a meaningful contribution to the broader community it operates within, both locally and globally.
“Soap Aid’s partnership with The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments and Lakeside Residences plays a vital role in helping us improve access to hygiene resources for vulnerable communities around the world. Something as simple as handwashing with soap can significantly reduce the spread of disease, improve school attendance for children, create better opportunities for education, and enable parents to spend more time working and supporting their families. Since its inception, Soap Aid has diverted more than 400 tonnes of waste soap from landfill, reducing CO2 emissions by 581,000 kgs, and recycled over 4 million bars of soap, helping provide life-saving hygiene support to communities in need and contributing to the protection of more than 666,000 lives.
The Rees Hotel became part of Soap Aid’s New Zealand pilot program in 2019 and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in sustainable tourism practices. Through its commitment to reducing waste and supporting social impact initiatives, The Rees has set a strong example for the hospitality industry across New Zealand and Australia.
Partnerships with organisations such as The Rees are essential to Soap Aid’s success and ability to expand its reach and impact globally. Every bar of recovered soap represents an opportunity to improve health outcomes and make a meaningful difference. We sincerely thank The Rees Hotels’ management and staff for their ongoing commitment and support.”
Carol Bellew | GMO | SOAP AID (August, 2026)
The Rees Hotel is deeply dedicated to honouring and enhancing the social, cultural, and historical values of the Southern Lakes District. Our commitment is showcased through our diverse collection of both contemporary and historic artworks and prints, an extensive library filled with rare books on the region’s development, and our focus on offering local produce, wines, and beverages to our guests. Additionally, we’re thrilled about the unique accommodation and experience packages offered at The Rees being in collaboration with local suppliers
From 2021 to the present (August 2023, The Rees has generously contributed over $100,000 in donations and support to various charitable causes and fundraisers.
The Rees Hotel, Queenstown held an auction for the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019.
Over $15K was raised at an auction at the hotel which was donated to Yama and his family.
More details and public recognition of this donation can be found here.
Celebrating Queenstown/Tahuna’s Naming and Settlement Anniversary – by early Aotearoa New Zealand Maori and William Gilbert Rees (6 April 1827 — 31 October 1898).
As part of the hotel’s annual Calendar of Events, it celebrates the annual posthumous birthday of Queenstown’s First Non-Maori ‘Early Settler’ – William Gilbert Rees on April 6th.
William Gilbert Rees, explorer and first European settler of Queenstown/Tahuna, New Zealand, is The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s namesake, and historical inspiration. In 1861, William and his wife Frances settled by Lake Wakatipu and built the first buildings nearby. Gold was discovered in 1862 and Queenstown became a thriving town in 1863, 160 years ago.
Local Māori tribe Ngāi Tahu made their home in Te Waipounamu (the South Island) over 800 years ago. Seasonal hunting prospects and the prized greenstone pounamu drew them to the head of Lake Wakatipu, as the stones could be found in plentiful supply around the Routeburn and Dart Valleys. Pounamu was valued not only because it was strong and durable, but also because it was extremely beautiful. The stone could be carved into toki (adzes), chisels, mere (short clubs) and personal ornaments such as hei tiki (necklaces) and ear adornments.
Māori also harvested the leaves of tikumu (mountain daisy) for cloaks and the highly-valued fragrant oil from taramea (wild Spaniard), found on the mountainous snowlines. This was taken to coastal villages where it was traded for goods. Traveling seasonally between mahinga kai (customary food gathering) sites, Māori feasted on the region’s seafood, eels, birds and plants, leaving rock art and planting ti (cabbage trees) to guide future generations.
Throughout the hotel, we educate our visitors and team on the importance of Mātauranga Māori.
Ruma Wai Kahu (Blue Water Room)
377 Frankton Road, Queenstown,
Otago, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 450 1100
Email: reservations@therees.co.nz
Location: View on Google Maps
377 Frankton Road, Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 450 1100
Email: reservations@therees.co.nz
Location: View on Google Maps
