29 Sep 2025 Insights
Rosie Sommerville

Always Be Naturing

Aotearoa New Zealand’s population got a whole lot bigger during Conservation Week. Us 5.33 million humans make up a tiny fraction of the new guesstimate of 695 billion-ish residents. We depend so heavily on nature for our lifestyle, our identity and our future that the Department of Conservation (DOC) decided to recount the population and include more than just humans.

Recent research conducted by DOC revealed that nine out of ten New Zealanders think nature is doing okay. But the reality is very different:

  • Fewer than 40 tara iti (fairy tern) remain.

  • Only 150 ngutukākā/kākābeak plants survive in the wild.

  • 63% of ecosystems are on the brink of collapse.

  • Just 31% of native species are not threatened with extinction.

That gap between perception and reality is what DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign is here to close. DOC’s Director-General Penny Nelson said the research showed people wanted to take action, but didn’t know where to start.

"We know when we take action, it makes a tangible difference – nature is resilient and can bounce back. This is why we are launching the Always Be Naturing campaign, to encourage people to view nature differently, get out and get amongst it, and take action.”

It’s not too late to save what makes us special. Whether you’re an individual or business, let Always Be Naturing mobilise you to act for te taiao (the environment). At SBN, we’re proud to be an Always Be Naturing campaign partner. 

Businesses have a powerful role to play. SBN’s Regenerating Nature in Aotearoa New Zealand 2023 report found that 82% of businesses surveyed want to “do the right thing” for nature. But a key barrier is a lack of understanding and knowledge. Encouragingly, when we ran the survey again this year, 58% of businesses surveyed said they contribute to nature-related initiatives, which is up from 51% two years ago.

Preserving natural resources such as clean water, clean air and healthy ecosystems is crucial for business continuity and resilience. Now that businesses know nature is in trouble, the next step is knowing what to do about it.

Getting started can be tricky. But it doesn’t have to be. SBN can help move you from knowing that nature is in trouble, to taking action to restore it. 

Think of us like a nature broker. Just like you might go to a wealth manager for financial advice, SBN connects you with the right nature regeneration opportunities and can help your business put nature at the heart of decision-making through our bespoke advisory and learn opportunities

Our new Connect for Nature programme gives businesses easy, practical pathways to take the next step. SBN can connect you to a suite of high-impact, investment-ready nature projects. Provide funding to local projects, or roll up your sleeves to volunteer. Our role is to remove the risk and uncertainty for businesses, manage partnerships, handle payments and organise volunteering opportunities. 

Both our business and community partners see the value in this approach. Community groups have to get the on-the-ground mahi happening. Working with SBN supports them to focus their energy on the mahi.

As Krissy Bishop, Mana Whakahaere of Te Pu-a-Nga Maara, says: “Our heart is with the Taiao and the next generation of Taiao Rangers. With SBN’s support, partners like L’Oréal uplift our vision; through their investment in Manu Tangi Ata [the site office] and continuing to show up to volunteer days we appreciate their ongoing support and aroha.”

Sarah Harper, Corporate Affairs & Engagement Manager at L’Oréal, adds: "SBN makes it powerful and simple for L'Oréal to meaningfully contribute to the inspiring vision of groups like Te Pu-a-Nga Maara, who are nurturing our natural environment and its future guardians. Our teams actively engage and connect through volunteer days, knowing our collective effort is truly valued in building a more sustainable Aotearoa."

A key finding from SBN’s Nature & Business Symposium was that community groups don’t just need funding. They need support in many other areas. It may not be an easy time for your business to contribute financially. But your business may be able to support a community nature group with specialist skills, resources and associated operational costs, including:

  • Discounted goods and services

  • Equipment

  • Strategy, marketing and communications

  • Access to land

  • Technical expertise

  • GIS and mapping 

There are many ways your business can take action for nature. Here are some considerations:

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