CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Rachel Brown says the record numbers are a sign of growing business confidence in sustainability.
“It’s hard to find a business now that isn’t talking about the role it can play – or is already playing – to improve environmental or social performance. Our youth is screaming for action now from all sectors. “Government has stepped up, seeing the economic opportunity if business leads on climate change, the circular economy and employment conditions. We are seeing a rapid growth in SBN’s membership. Businesses really want to build their capability so they can reap the rewards of embracing sustainability. “Our Awards are a fabulous way of showcasing the growing leadership here in Aotearoa. The eyes of the world are looking at the winners with interest. It’s exciting times for sustainable, restorative business.”“The finalists include small businesses, corporates and not for profits, showing that all types of organisations can make a success out of sustainability. The quality of entries has been extremely high, so making the final round of judging is a considerable achievement.
Garry Taylor, Executive General Manager of NZI, the Principal Sponsor of the Awards, says they serve an important purpose. “The impact that business is having on our environment and communities, and their increasing impact on business, is becoming more apparent and a more urgent issue to address. What the Awards do is encourage those businesses who are actively doing something about it to come forward and have their efforts recognised. “NZI is proud to have supported the Sustainable Business Network and the national Awards for the last 11 years. We’re strong believers in the Network’s mission to inspire change and we congratulate all those who took the time to enter, and those selected as finalists.” The NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards have been running for 16 years. The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on 22 November at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront. Tickets are now on sale. The finalists for the 2018 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards are: Sustainability Superstar AwardTracy BrownSteve BushKaren Fifield MNZMDavid IvoryDave MaslenMike MurphyKirsten TaylorTony Wheeler Communicating for Change AwardSponsored by Cadence CommunicationsAgricomCountdownFuji Xerox NZGoodForPathfinder Asset ManagementPohatu Penguins/Plunge NZSustainability TrustThe Rubbish TripWā Collective Hardwired for Social Good AwardAuckland District Health Board – Tāmaki Mental Health & Wellbeing initiativeFonterraKarma ColaKilmarnock EnterprisesMunch CupboardMy Cup NZRangi Ruru Girls SchoolState of GraceSudima HotelsZ Energy Partnering for Good AwardSponsored by AlscoĀkina Foundation + NZ PostAll Good BananasAll Heart NZKickStart Breakfast (Fonterra + Sanitarium + Ministry of Social Development)KiwiHarvest + Everybody EatsLiving Water Partnership (Department of Conservation + Fonterra)Springboard TrustSt Johns College, Hastings + Whatever It TakesTake My HandsThe Achieving at Waitakere Trust Going Circular AwardSponsored by Auckland CouncilAuckland District Health BoardChristchurch Airport + Fulton Hogan (PlastiPhalt)EthiqueFlight PlasticsFuji Xerox NZGoodForInnocent PackagingNZAgbizRicohSKYCITY + Fonterra (Moo2Shampoo)Vinnies Wellington Efficiency Champion AwardSponsored by RicohAir New ZealandAuckland District Health BoardAUT UniversityCity Rail LinkCivic ContractorsFonterra Pahiatua Smarter Transport AwardSponsored by WSP OpusCivic ContractorsEnviroNZMevoTranzit GroupWaste Management NZYoogo Share Revolutionising Energy AwardSponsored by EECA BusinessemhTradeFonterra (Electric Milk)Red Stag TimbersolarcityWatercare Transforming Food AwardSponsored by Yealands Family WinesAll Good BananasBetter BurgerPrima RoasteryEnviroNZEverybody EatsJersey Girl OrganicsKai IkaOur Land of Milk and HoneyWise Boys Restoring Nature AwardSponsored by Department of ConservationAgricomAuckland Whale & Dolphin SafariBanks Track NZ + Pohatu Penguins Plunge NZFulton HoganGoodnatureReal JourneysStu MuirTahiTe Whangai TrustTongariro River Rafting Millennials on a Mission AwardSponsored by Ministry of Youth DevelopmentOlie BodyFinn LawrenceCatherine LeaMaddison McQueen-DaviesSiddhartha MehtaHolly NortonOlivia PhilpottDanny Pritchard
