Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today announced the finalists for the 2015 Green Ribbon Awards, which will this year mark 25 years of honouring New Zealand’s environmental leaders.

“Over 70 nominations were received across the 10 categories for this year’s awards, and they cover a wide range of environmental initiatives that include protecting our biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimising waste, reducing water pollution, preserving the marine environment, educating and inspiring the community, and implementing more sustainable business practices,” Dr Smith says.

The finalists are:

Business leadership

• Junk Run Limited

• Malcolm Rands - Ecostore

Community leadership

• Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust

• Project De-Vine

• Project Rerewhakaaitu

Leadership in communication and education

• Auckland Council - Zero Waste Experience Hub

• Fiordland Conservation Trust - Kids Restore the Kepler

• Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust - Eye on Nature Children's Environmental Event

Public sector leadership

• Auckland Council - Zero Waste Experience Hub

• Waikato Regional Council - Sustainable Procurement

• Waikato Regional Council - Tui Mine Remediation Project

Philanthropy and partnership

• Project Crimson Trust and Mazda Foundation - Treemendous

• Project Janszoon

Protecting our biodiversity

• Ashley - Rakahuri Rivercare Group

• Kaipupu Point Mainland Island Society Incorporated

• Project Crimson Trust

Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions

• Lion - The Pride

• Soar Printing

Minimising our waste

• IdealCup - Everyday Limited

• Junk Run Limited

• Taranaki Arts Festival Trust and Shell - Zero Waste @ WOMAD ­

Caring for our water

• Dr Bruno David - CarpN Neutral Project 

• Upper Waikato Sustainable Milk Project Steering Group

• Whangawehi Catchment Management Group

Protecting our oceans and coasts

• Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust - Experiencing Marine Reserves

• North Island Mussels - Revive Our Gulf Mussel Reef Restoration

• Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura, Kaikōura Coastal Marine Guardians

“These finalists are doing outstanding work to restore and protect the environment in their local communities, with the projects achieving significant benefits for conservation,” Ms Barry says.

More than 170 individuals and groups have been recognised as part of the Green Ribbon Awards since their inception in 1990. This year’s awards are a joint venture for the first time between the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation, as part of the Government’s focus on encouraging a more integrated approach to protecting the country’s water, air, land, forests and endangered species.

"We look forward to welcoming this year's finalists to Parliament this Thursday, prior to World Environment Day on 5 June to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions and to announce the winners," the Ministers say.