The Sustainable Business Network has planted sufficient trees to offset 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide at planting events for World Environment Day. In total 3000 native species were planted at sites in Auckland and Tauranga during the 100 Tonne Challenge, involving volunteers from several SBN member organisations.

Many congratulations to Dan Ormond (co-chair) and Alison Howard, who were voted in as new Board members at our AGM on 29 May 2013. They will join Jamie Sinclair (co-chair), Gavin Healy and Sophie Heighway to form our National Board. Full minutes of the AGM, including details of all our Board members are available here.

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) announced today that the 2013 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards are now open for nominations.

SBN is thrilled to be partnering with OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council to create ‘Forests for Health NZ’, an initiative that enables health professionals to offset their carbon emissions.

On World Environment Day (5th June) join SBN to work with community planting projects and businesses across New Zealand and help offset 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide by planting native trees.

'Transforming Business - breaking through change as usual'  will bring together a mix of inspiring local and international speakers, thought leaders, professionals, business leaders and academics to explore issues, exchange ideas and network.

Calling all businesses with an interest in community investment!
SBN is holding forums on ‘Business in the Community’ – on 17 April in Auckland and on 18 April in Wellington. 

SBN member Airbus Express have put together a special deal to transport fellow members to the ‘Secrets to their Success’ event at Villa Maria Estate on 13 March. Costing only $16 return (a 50% discount) the bus will take you directly from Auckland city to Villa Maria’s vineyard in Mangere.

The full list of winners, commendations, runners up, finalists and sponsors is as follows:

Auckland’s Villa Maria Estate has been named Sustainable Business of the Year at the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards announced today (22 November).

A Carrotmob taking place at the Sustainable City Showcase on Saturday 24 November is aiming to be the largest ever in New Zealand.

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) today announced the finalists for the 2012 NZI National SBN Awards.

New Zealand’s First Ethical Fashion Show will be revealed on the catwalk at the Sustainable City Showcase at The Cloud on Friday 23 November at 6pm.

Popping up for three days on Auckland’s waterfront, the Sustainable City Showcase will take visitors on a tour of what it is like to live and work sustainably.

Auckland companies can get a sustainability edge at the ‘business only’ afternoon at the Sustainable City Showcase at The Cloud on Queen’s Wharf on Thursday 22 November.

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is urging everyone to vote for their favourite sustainability initiative to choose this year’s Vodafone People’s Choice Award winner in the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards.

Auckland’s Villa Maria Estate has won the Northern Sustainable Business of the Year Award at the 2012 Northern Region Sustainable Business Network Awards for what the judges describe as its long-standing and pioneering commitment to sustainability.

Do you want to be associated with an organisation focused on inspiring communities to live sustainably? The Kaipatiki Project, based in Auckland, is recognised for its programmes - Create Your Own Eden Composting courses, Nature for Neighbourhoods and organic forest restoration.

The top sustainability performers in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand were recognised at a ceremony in Rotorua on 28 September 2012.

Do you know any sustainability champions, social innovators or sustainable designers? We’re looking for individuals who are leaders in their field – people who are championing sustainability and new sustainable market solutions. If you know someone who fits the bill, why not nominate them for one of our awards? Entry is free!

The top sustainability performers in the Central and Southern regions of New Zealand were recognised at a ceremony in Wellington on 19 September 2012. Head judge Steve Dixon says that the winners are an inspiration to other businesses in the region and around the country.

SBN has been recognised for excellence in the Not for Profit category while Rachel Brown's tireless championing of business sustainability has been recognised in the Individual category.

Foodstuffs have won Unpackit's 2012 Worst Packaging Award for putting vegetables on polystyrene meat-trays and wrapping them in plastic.

SBN is welcoming the timely release of the intelligent, thought-provoking Pure Advantage "New Zealand's Position in the Green Race" Report. 

Our inaugural Carbon4Good 100 Tonne Challenge has proved to be a resounding success. It was designed to make it easy for businesses to get out and celebrate World Environment Day in a meaningful, tangible way. 

Our very own Rachel Brown is featured alongside other sustainability leaders in Element Magazine's "The Eco Hotties"!

It's neck and neck this year - could your vote tip the balance?

The SBN team and I are in deep shock over this past weekend's tragic accident which took our lovely young intern, Roch Jauberty.

SBN's AGM took place on 9 May and we're delighted to announce the new 2012/2013 Board!

If you're serious about improving and benchmarking your business' sustainable performance, then its time to take the Get Sustainable Challenge.

Hot on the heels of the Sustainable Business Network's (SBN) recent 'Creating Sustainable Wealth: The Collective Challenge' forum, Rachel Brown (SBN's CEO) and her team have been using the idea of 'shared value' to pull together key players in mobility, fashion, and the renewables sector.

Help SBN Board Member, Rod Oram, raise money for the Hikurangi Foundation's work supporting cycling and other low carbon transport projects around New Zealand.

Sign up for Oxfam's Biggest Coffee Break!

Let your voice be heard!

Waiariki Institute of Technology warmly invites you to attend the Rotorua launch of a stunning new NZ environmental documentary film.

Priority One invites you to attend an economic summit involving the sub-region's business and civic leaders to bring into sharper focus current and future economic challenges and opportunities.

Big ups to ethical clothing label We'ar for naming SBN a "hero"!

How will you get involved at 8.30pm on Saturday March 31st?

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is pulling together a bunch of brilliant and diverse experts to discuss the benefits of 'shared value' at its 'Creating Sustainable Wealth: The Collective Challenge' forum, in Auckland, on 29^th March 2012.

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) will be exploring the benefits of 'shared value' at its 'Creating Sustainable Wealth: The Collective Challenge' forum, in Auckland, on 29^th March 2012.   

Both businesses will take part in the breakout sessions at the 'Creating Sustainable Wealth: The Collective Challenge" 1-day Forum on 29 March 2012.

Our team is taking a well-deserved break after a great year!

Our team is taking a well-deserved break after a great year!

Video conferencing tech company FaceMe has won $100,000 and mentoring time with Richard Branson, after being named winner of BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge.

Due to his many other commitments, Glen Saunders is stepping down from his role as National SBN Board Chair - Glen has been a member of the Board for more than 18 months.  We want to thank him for his valued and expert contribution over that time.

The inaugural Sustainable City Showcase was a great success and you can download the e-book now!

The inaugural Sustainable City Showcase was a great success and you can download the e-book now!

The inaugural Sustainable City Showcase was a great success and you can download the e-book now!

An outstanding focus on encouraging sustainability has seen Westpac New Zealand named Sustainable Business of the Year at the 2011 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards in Auckland last night.

Are you attending the Sustainable City Showcase in AK on 9th November?

Check out the latest articles on food, energy efficiency (with tips from EECA Business), and the People's Choice Award (sponsored by Vodafone).

More than 500 volunteers assisted in the clean-up effort at Papamoa and Maketu beaches on Sunday, along with around 140 NZ Army personnel. Coverage from stuff.co.nz.

Do you know anyone whom you think may be interested in this rare opportunity to lead the marketing of one of New Zealand's iconic tourism destinations?

Volunteers who want to assist in cleaning up oil off the beaches following the stranding of the MV Rena are urged to register their names so teams can be organised.  The beaches have been closed to the public from 10am this morning (Thursday 13th Oct).

Launching on 8^th October, the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is calling on the public to vote for their favourite sustainable business in this year's People's Choice Award, sponsored by Vodafone, as a lead up to the NZI National SBN Awards on 8^th November.

The Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network Awards highlighted some of the region's top sustainable businesses in Tauranga yesterday.

The Central and Southern regions' Sustainable Business Network Awards highlighted some of the region's top sustainable businesses in Wellington last night.

SBN is happy to welcome Element magazine as the exclusive media partner for the 2011 NZI National SBN Awards!

Twenty council staff members on Friday 16 September downed pens, papers and computers for spades to plant nearly one thousand trees at Karaponga Reserve. The planting today will off-set the Council's fleet vehicle emissions for a year.

Local brand agency Woods Creative (and SBN member) have had their work selected for the 7th volume in the prestigious Logo Lounge series of books.

SBN CEO Rachel Brown was interviewed on National Radio for the Climate Reality Project.

Listen to Rod Oram's interview around climate change and his thoughts on the changes in timings of the introduction of the ETS.

Read Rachel Brown's interview in Mindfood magazine on the "24 Hours of Reality" event.

The bi-annual Environmental Packaging Awards seek to spin a positive light on packaging by celebrating companies and individuals who champion environmental issues and packaging product stewardship.

Al Gore's climate change worldwide event "24 Hours of Reality" is nearing its launch.  Designed to broadcast the reality of the climate crisis, this event will be broadcast live online from September 14 to 15, over 24 hours, in 24 time zones and in 13 languages.

Al Gore's climate change worldwide event "24 Hours of Reality" is nearing its launch.  Designed to broadcast the reality of the climate crisis, this event will be broadcast live online from September 14 to 15, over 24 hours, in 24 time zones and in 13 languages.

Everyone's delighted to have the 2011 Rugby World Cup on home soil - but what do you do if staff miss work to watch the games?

 

Auckland Coffee Roasters Kokako are dishing up a contemporary sustainable taste of Kiwi café culture in the heart of the city's new Wynyard Quarter inside the HP Wintergarden.

The Northern Sustainable Business Network Awards highlighted some of the region's top sustainable businesses in Auckland.  Congratulations to all of our winners and commendations!

In 2011, the SBN Awards' goal is to highlight the best of sustainability on New Zealand.

The Marketing Association of New Zealand have showed that ethics and marketing do mix!  All Good Organics were awarded with the Judges' Choice awards for Sustainability at the TVNZ New Zealand Marketing Awards 2011.     

Good interview with Sir Stephen Tindall around Pure Advantage,NZ's clean, green image, and how businesses need to get on board with sustainability!

A tribute to a great visionary, leader and man...

We want to celebrate NZ's Social Entrepreneurs, Sustainability Champions and the best of our sustainable creative talent. If you, or someone you know, fit the bill, apply now! Entries open from 1^st August through to 30^th September 2011. Entry is FREE!

Recently opened Papamoa College is already gaining national recognition after being nominated in the 2011 NZ BeST Design Awards.

New Zealand's longest-running insurance company, NZI, has recently signed on to continue its support of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and its efforts to help businesses succeed through sustainability for a further three years.

All of our Regional SBN Awards winners automatically enter the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards - but there's still a chance to enter...

All of our Regional SBN Awards winners automatically enter the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards - but there's still a chance to enter...

An important notice for all award entrants and those thinking of entering...

 

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) warmly invites you be part of the Vision 2050 project. Further details about the Vision project can be found here.

The 2011 New Zealand International Film Festival programme is shaping up to be another great selection of the finest in film from around the world.

A commentary by Rachel Brown, CEO Sustainable Business Network

Now that the dust stirred up by Alastair Thompson's remarks has settled, I think it's a good chance to share the discussions that have been flying around our offices and among SBN members as a result.

The Solar Promise nationwide campaign launched on 11 July aims to encourage all New Zealand councils to embrace solar and help protect their communities from the rising costs of electricity and continuing oil depletion. 

Options for reducing your waste just got easier with Bay of Plenty Regional Council's launch of a new online waste and recycling directory.

SBN is looking for a contractor to join its National office from end July to mid-November to organise the 2011 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards.

The course is a collaborative venture between Otago Polytechnic, the Natural Step and local partners Opportunity Hamilton and the Hamilton Central Business Association.

 

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is proud to once again sponsor the annual Bay of Plenty Productivity Award as part of the 2011 Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Awards.

Rod Oram NZ's Conscious Commentator on GreenplanetFM 104.6 Thursday 23rd June 8-9am

Rod Oram, NZ's Conscious Commentator, featured on GreenplanetFM (104.6) on Thursday 23rd June between 8-9am.  He covered the spectrum of business and how it relates to everything sustainable.

From 1 July 2011 all employers must keep a copy of their employees signed employment agreements or current terms and conditions of employment or they may face a penalty action for a breach of the law.

Bridget Marsh, Director of Creating What Matters (a Sustainable Business Network member), has just released a report designed to help business owners beginning their sustainability journey, as well as those already on it, seeking inspiration and guidance.

The Sustainable Business Network's (SBN) National Board Vice-Chair, Sophie Heighway, has been appointed as New Zealand Post Group's Corporate Sustainability Manager. 

Winston Marsh is coming to Tauranga to help provide local business owners some "Simple Strategies to Beat Tough Times".

The Conscious Consumers cafe project, a non-profit venture successfully operating in Wellington for the past year, is set to launch in the Waikato this July.

Office Furniture Warehouse has teamed up with Mainfreight and Giveawayzone to help put New Zealand businesses in touch with Christchurch businesses in need of second hand or surplus office furniture.

 

An enthusiastic crowd gathered in the Mainfreight warehouse on Tuesday 10^th May to hear more about the e-Cycle project and enjoy Mainfreight's hospitality.

Western Bay@Work is a month long event that highlights and showcases the many, varied and exciting career opportunities that are available in the Western Bay for people at all stages of their working life. 

For World Fair Trade Day, 14^th May, Trade Aid Tauranga is inviting locals into the Devonport Road store to learn more about the 10 key principles of fair trade, so purchasing decisions can be made based on a keener understanding of the positive impact Trade Aid makes around the world.

Three leading New Zealand specialists will explain the nature of climate change, its impacts on New Zealanders' health, properties, infrastructure, environment and rural industries.

Three leading New Zealand specialists will explain the nature of climate change, its impacts on New Zealanders' health, properties, infrastructure, environment and rural industries.

Three leading New Zealand specialists will explain the nature of climate change, its impacts on New Zealanders' health, properties, infrastructure, environment and rural industries. They will bring the latest information on climate change science and how it affects rural industries in your area. 

And a very good article on SBN Member SOAR Print. Congratulations to the NZ Herald for being supportive of sustainable business!

In a post-recession world where savvy customers are seeking sustainable, socially responsible options, successful customer service can't rely on 'formulas'. 

Tauranga City Council has made some amendments to its Procurement Policy and is now seeking submissions on the draft policy.

SBN's 'Sustainability is Mainstream: Maximising New Zealand's New Era' Conference a resounding success.

Check out SBN National Board Member and Phoenix Organics Founder, Chris Morrison, on this morning's AMP Business show on TVNZ One!

On March 16^th, SBN and Sustainabiz (supported by Hamilton City Council) hosted over 25 guests at the Waikato Museum.

Zespri is donating $100,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal to support victims of the February 22, 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

Chief financial officer Merv Dallas says Zespri felt a significant cash contribution would be the most effective means of support.

This saturday, local Papamoa businesses Woods Creative and Oceanblue Health and Fitness Club are teaming up to fundraise for the earthquake relief in Christchurch.

Rachel Brown along with SBN members State of Grace and ecostore feature on Maori TV's He Whare Pakihi- House of Business.

Throughout NZ biodiesel is being widely used and accepted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to mineral diesel.