New Zealand’s top sustainability trailblazers revealed

An extensive search of New Zealand’s business community has put the spotlight on the country’s most sustainable companies for the 2009 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards.

Competing for the title of Sustainable Business of the Year, to be revealed on 12 November, are seven companies that all won the ‘trailblazer’ award in their respective regions of the awards, held during August and September.

They include:

• Bayfair Shopping Centre - retail managers of Bayfair Shopping Centre, Mt Maunganui.
• ecostore - manufacturer, wholesale distributor and retailer of sustainable household and personal care products.
• Kokako Organic - fair trade organic coffee roaster and food supplier.
• Landscape Design Company - NZ award-winning landscapers.
• Landcare Research (Manaaki Whenua) - independent Crown Research Institute that provides science-based solutions and advice for sustainable development.
• Parkes Automotive - family-owned automotive workshop.
• The Herb Farm - produces and sells 100% natural skincare and healthcare based on natural herbs.

Fifteen other finalists will also compete for seven category awards, celebrating businesses that are actively integrating sustainability throughout their operations.

New this year is the People’s Choice Award. Members of the public are encouraged to vote for their chosen company online at the Sustainable Business Network’s website until 31 October, with the winner being announced at the national awards on 12 November.

Sustainable Business Network chief executive Rachel Brown says she is thrilled at the number of businesses that are continuing to prioritise sustainability, even in this difficult economic climate.

“The theme of the awards this year is ‘Reinvent to Thrive’, acknowledging businesses that continue to sustain, innovate, re-engineer and rethink during the recession.

“We received entries from a diverse range of companies that are all making impressive and commendable changes to the way they do business, in an effort to be more sustainable,” says Brown.

Businesses have two avenues to enter the awards. They can participate in the Sustainable Business Network’s ‘Get Sustainable Challenge’, which helps businesses to identify, measure and improve their sustainable development; or they can enter the Sustainable Design and Innovation Award, which recognises businesses that create an exceptional sustainable product, service or building.

Foundation partner NZI continues to support the Sustainable Business Network and is the primary sponsor of the national awards for the third consecutive year.

NZI executive general manager Karl Armstrong says involvement in the awards is a practical way to recognise and support companies that are making an effort to be more sustainable.

“It’s encouraging to see so many companies pursuing sustainability and we commend all the finalists.

“At NZI we’re committed to integrating sustainable business practices across the organisation and have recently moved our head office into Auckland’s newest sustainable building with 5 Green Star ratings for office design and office interiors,” says Armstrong.

The Sustainable Business of the Year will be announced at a cocktail function held at St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland on Thursday 12 November.