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The Sustainable Business Network's Northern Awards celebrate businesses making outstanding progress towards sustainability. They recognise those organisations that are providing examples for others to follow.
The Northern awards were held on August 28th, 2008, in Auckland.
And the winners are...
Sustainable Business of the Year and
Trailblazer Large and Corporate: Criterion Furniture
Ben Smaill, Brian Smaill, Manuel Seidel
Criterion manufactures furniture, with a focus on home entertainment centres, computer workstations and office furniture.
Judge's comments:
• Criterion is committed to embedding sustainable practices into their business and have sought the best available suppliers, changed their processes, and are committed to ongoing stakeholder engagement and investment in R&D
• Criterion has invested heavily in finding non-toxic, renewable raw materials and has developed successful strategies to minimise waste generated in the production and distribution of its furniture range.
Trailblazer Small and Medium: Paradigm
John Ringer
Paradigm is a Ponsonby-based design company that was established with a commitment to sustainability.
Judge's comments:
• They have maintained a very high level of commitment to their core values and to finding the most sustainable outcomes for themselves and their clients
• Despite being a small company, Paradigm has demonstrated leadership and has had a significant positive influence both within and beyond the design sector.
Emerging Large and Corporate: Express Couriers
Express Couriers is one of New Zealand's leading express courier, logistic and distribution companies, combining the capabilities of Pace, CourierPost, Roadstar and Contract Logistics.
Judge's comments:
• Express Couriers has developed a five-year strategy for sustainability, and has invested considerable resources into measuring and managing every aspect of their business
• The company has an ongoing programme of research into vehicle selection and operating systems, and has set an ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions
• Express Couriers has released a range of packaging products that are made from recycled materials, use less raw materials and are recyclable, with proceeds from the sale of the returned and recycled material donated to charities.
Judges Commendation, Emerging Large and Corporate: Chapman Tripp
Chapman Tripp is a national New Zealand law firm with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and clients located throughout New Zealand and throughout the world.
Judge's comments:
• The Judges' commended Chapman Tripp for their comprehensive sustainability programme
• The programme focuses on social as well as environmental aspects, and uses novel and innovative ways of communicating internally
• Chapman Tripp makes sustainability appealing within the organisation, and also seek to change the attitudes of their staff beyond work
• The company continues to invest in sustainability, including retrofitting their premises and in installing video-conferencing equipment to reduce the impact of work-related travel.
Emerging Small and Medium: Kate Sylvester
Kate Sylvester and model
Kate Sylvester is a well-known Kiwi designer. Producing three main lines, Kate is known for her immaculate tailoring, high concept shows and conceptual collections.
Judge's comments:
• Kate Sylvester has embedded ‘project green' into all of the company's activities
• The company remains committed to continuing to design and manufacture all of their products in New Zealand, despite these services being available offshore, often at much lower prices
• Kate Sylvester provides leadership by example to the fashion industry through interactions with their supply chain and customers.
Judges Commendation, Emerging Small and Medium: Suite Bar
Scott Blyth, David Hawk, Tim Etherington
Suite Bar, located on the corner of Hobson and Wolfe streets, boasts an array of awards for their sleek restaurant, cocktail lounge and wine bar.
Judge's comments:
• Suite Bar has put in place a number of measures to reduce their footprint and are commended for their efforts to provide leadership in an industry that faces significant challenges
• Their success could contribute to influencing others, and to help ‘mainstream' sustainable best practice within the hospitality industry.
Trailblazer Not-for-Profit: YHA Auckland International
Susie Pape and Steven Collier
YHA Auckland International has responded to their national organisation's move to make budget accommodation sustainable, and has developed some innovative means of applying sustainability principles as well.
Judge's comments:
• The Turner Street hostel has invested in improving the environmental performance of their buildings, and established recycling and energy saving programmes
• They actively encourage travellers to choose the most sustainable travel and accommodation options, and also contribute to the wider community through a scheme whereby they donate unwanted items left by travellers to the Auckland City Mission.
Sustainable Design and Innovation: cityhop
Victoria Carter and James Ure
cityhop is New Zealand's first self-service car share company with cars for rent by the hour, day or the week. cityhop has cars located all over Auckland's CBD, and in Wellington and Christchurch.
Judge's comments:
• cityhop has adapted an idea that succeeded overseas and made it work in New Zealand's context and conditions
• There is a high probability that their initiative will be quickly recognised as convenient and cost-effective, becoming part of the solution to traffic congestion and other problems associated with private car use.
Judges Commendation, Sustainable Design and Innovation: Holdsworth Sustainable Design
Greg Holdsworth
Holdsworth Sustainable Design is a specialist in sustainable solutions for product development and design manufacturing, transforming ideas into products with innovation and creativity
Judge's comments:
• Holdsworth Design is commended for their willingness to challenge the norm in an industry whose traditional practices have very deep cultural roots
• Not only do their products have aesthetic appeal, making it easier to effect changes to peoples' perceptions and willingness to adopt a new product, but they have very significant and measurable environmental benefits.
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