Auckland Council was proud to have a number of its people and projects on the shortlist of finalists for the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2015, held recently at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront.

The council's Chief Sustainability Officer, John Mauro, was a member of the awards' judging panel.

“This year saw the largest number of overall entries into the awards which means the toughest competition," he said. "Although the council didn’t win any awards this year, it was a fantastic achievement to be finalists in so many categories – it’s great to see sustainability becoming more mainstream.”

The council’s Waste Solutions unit sponsored the Mega Efficiency Impact Award.

Waste Planning Manager Parul Sood said: “We’d like to send our huge congratulations to this year’s winner of the award, Kaibosh, which is New Zealand’s first food rescue organisation with a vision of zero food poverty and zero food waste. We're committed to encouraging and supporting organisations doing amazing work in this area.”

The awards celebrate the contribution businesses, government agencies, social enterprises and individuals are making to transform New Zealand into a sustainable nation.

Further congratulations also go to Dorothy Wilson, who won the Element Magazine Sustainability Champion Award. Dorothy is the former Deputy Mayor of Waitakere, who spear-headed the council’s 'zero waste by 2040' target.

She has been promoting, developing and facilitating sustainability for 30 years with a record for creating long-lasting change.

Auckland Council’s 2015 finalists were:

135 Albert St building for the Ricoh Mega Efficiency Innovation Award. Auckland Council, Creative Spaces, and Fletcher Construction managed the sustainable design and refit of this council building.

Oruarangi Awa for the Peter Yealands Restorative Innovation Award.  A dye spill had a devastating impact on the sensitive freshwater environment of the stream. The council’s pollution response team was nominated for their effective response.

Industry Pollution Prevention Programme for the Restorative Impact Award. The programme was co-developed with mana whenua and engaged local businesses with the aim of preventing pollution at the source.

Wai Care for the Restorative Impact Award. This programme has been running for 14 years, enabling community groups to participate in freshwater quality monitoring, restoration and advocacy. 

Viv Heslop for the Sustainability Champion award. Viv Heslop is a Senior Advisor Sustainability at Panuku Development Auckland, and was nominated for her outstanding work on the Wynyard Quarter development project.

Wynyard Quarter development for the Community Impact Award. Panuku Development Auckland developed the Wynyard Quarter precinct.

For the full list of all SBN Award winners, visit the Sustainable Business Network.

Auckland Council News