Central/Southern Awards: Wellington Zoo Roars in Triumph
Wellington Zoo Trust is celebrating after being awarded the top honour at the Sustainable Business Network's Central/Southern Regional Awards. Wellington Zoo Trust took out the 'Not for Profit' category before being recognised as the region's 'Sustainable Business of the Year'.
Established in 2003, the Wellington Zoo Trust is a charitable organisation that supports conservation initiatives, runs an education centre and develops projects to help improve health and safety, animal welfare and visitor experience throughout the Zoo. Wellington Zoo has been welcoming visitors through its gates for the last 103 years.
The Zoo is strongly committed to sustainability and conservation, and this is evident throughout the organisation. The judges were impressed with Wellington Zoo's topdown commitment to sustainable business practices and the many innovative ways in which they demonstrated this. Staff are heavily involved in instigating and supporting sustainable business practices, for example, over the past 12 months, every employee participated in the five 'sustainable transport' days in the Zoo programme.
Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua; the herb farm; and Parkes Automotive were also contenders for the overall prize.
The Sustainable Business Network Awards recognise those businesses that are demonstrating leadership by embracing sustainable practices into their day-to-day operations.
The 2009 Central/Southern Sustainable Business Network Award category winners and commendations are:
Category Winner(s) Recipient(s) Sustainable Business of the Year Wellington Zoo Trust Trailblazer - Large and Corporate Business Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua Trailblazer - Small and Medium Business (Joint Winners) Parkes Automotive
the herb farm Not for Profit Wellington Zoo Trust Emerging - Large and Corporate Business Kiwibank Emerging - Small and Medium Business Ideas Shop Sustainable Design and Innovation Pacific Wood Products
Category Judges' Commendation(s) Recipient(s) Trailblazer Large and Corporate Business Personal Commendation David Hill of Richmond Mall Trailblazer - Large and Corporate Business Yealands Estate Winery
Central/Southern region winners are now finalists in the national NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards, to be held in Auckland on Thursday, November 12.
Brenda Harkin, National Communications Manager, is delighted that more and more business are incorporating sustainability into their business strategy.
"Our winners are demonstrating their commitment to sustainability by getting their own house in order and by acting as role models for others in the region. "The calibre of entrants was extremely high and the judging panel certainly had their work cut out for them. Congratulations to Wellington Zoo Trust and all our winners,"
says Harkin.
To enter the awards, businesses participated in the Sustainable Business Network's 'Get Sustainable Challenge', covering eight identified areas of sustainable practice; or entered the Sustainable Design and Innovation Award, which covers products and services.
Greater Wellington Regional Council has been a principal sponsor of the Get Sustainable Challenge for the past four years. Additional programme sponsors include Hutt City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, and Wellington City Council.
"We would like to congratulate this year's winners for their efforts and extend our gratitude to all the businesses whose efforts are making our region a better place to live," Greater Wellington Regional Council chairperson Fran Wilde says.
"The challenge encourages business to take stock of their impacts, and take steps to reduce their carbon footprints and overall environmental impact. It is extremely pleasing to see more and more businesses making a commitment to be more sustainable", says Wilde.
Awards sponsors include Commonsense Organics, Flying Saucer Films, InBusiness, and Vision Media Systems Ltd. Last year, five of the seven top National awards were won by Central region finalists, including Paraoa Bakehouse, Resene Paints, YHA Wellington City, and the Meridian Building Kumutoto Wellington.
