Despite ongoing economic challenges, 22 of the 119 finalists on the Next List 2025 come from the Built Environment – more than any other sector.
The Next List, now in its second year, is an annual showcase of New Zealand’s leading sustainable innovators. They are the finalists in the Sustainable Business Awards. The list highlights the people, projects and organisations driving bold, potentially transformative change.
“I’m really thrilled to see such an uplift in the built environment space, especially in a sector that’s been under real pressure,” says Rachel Brown ONZM, founder and CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN).
“It shows that when conditions are tough, innovation doesn’t slow down – it gets going!”
The Next List has grown from 95 in 2024 to 119 this year, driven by a wave of new entrants from across the country and across sectors.
Within this list lies the blueprint for a better future: radically reduced emissions, elimination of waste, resource reuse, and a natural world restored to abundance. These ventures position Aotearoa as a global beacon of sustainable business.
“The leap in companies on the list this year isn’t just a signal of growth – it’s momentum for a new economy,” says Brown.
“These people and ventures aren’t dreaming about a better future, they’re building it in real time. They’re confronting the toughest challenges we face – from climate disruption to waste to deep inequality – and proving that transformation comes from bold ideas backed by action and finance.”
Alongside the Built Environment, Food & Beverage (14 entries) and Waste to Value (11 entries) were among the top-performing sectors.
There’s also strong regional diversity in this year’s list. While Auckland and Wellington are well represented, many entries come from smaller towns and regions, showing that sustainable innovation is not limited to the main centres.
The Sustainable Business Awards, now in their 23rd year, focus on just two powerful categories:
- Disruptive Innovation – for bold, scalable products, services or technologies embedding sustainability and circular economy thinking
- Transformational Leadership – recognising individuals and organisations driving system-level change through strategy, influence and action
Commenting on the increase in businesses recognised for their outstanding sustainability solutions, Rachel Brown says this wave of solutions signals something bigger than innovation for its own sake.
“It’s evidence of a mission-led shift in how we design a brighter economy — one that backs ingenuity, regenerates our natural systems and creates a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand for everyone.”
The Sustainable Business Awards 2025 will be held in Auckland at MOTAT on Thursday 20 November where winners of Disruptive Innovation and Transformational Leadership will be announced, alongside those highly commended. The evening will include a showcase of exhibits from the organisations on the Next list.
NZI is the Principal Partner of the 2025 Sustainable Business Awards. Other sponsors are Auckland Council, Ecotricity, Exhibit Group and Southbase Construction.
Last year’s Next 95 showcased a powerful group of innovators, and their progress over the past 12 months proves the impact of recognising and supporting sustainable business.
From new solar farms and zero-waste textile breakthroughs to international expansion and stronger food rescue networks, many 2024 finalists have gone on to scale their solutions, deepen their community impact, and unlock major partnerships.
Their success stories highlight the real-world momentum behind Aotearoa’s shift toward a low-emissions, regenerative economy.
The 2025 Next List
Find out more detail about everyone on the list here.
|
|
BUSINESS |
REGION/LOCATION |
INDUSTRY |
|
1 |
Naut |
Northland |
Transport & Logistics |
|
2 |
Daniel Fasnacht, Peekaboo Backyard Eatery |
Northland |
Food & Beverage |
|
3 |
Mutu |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
4 |
Marley NZ (Aliaxis Group) |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
5 |
Levela Deconstruction |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
6 |
KiwiKrete |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
7 |
Autex Acoustics |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
8 |
Charissa Snijders Architect |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
9 |
Clevaco New Zealand |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
10 |
Etū Rākau Charitable Trust |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
11 |
Hilti NZ Ltd |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
12 |
ImpacTex |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
13 |
Jonathan Mountfort, Autex Acoustics |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
14 |
Solmech New Zealand |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
15 |
Living House |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
16 |
Trow Group |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
17 |
Watersmart |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Built Environment |
|
18 |
EcoMatters Environment Trust |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Community |
|
19 |
Kelmarna Community Farm |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Community |
|
20 |
Stella H Jeon, Eco Choice Aotearoa |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Certification |
|
21 |
Clean for Good |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Cleaning |
|
21 |
ImpacTex |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Clothing & Textiles |
|
22 |
Lof |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Clothing & Textiles |
|
23 |
Steaddi |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Clothing & Textiles |
|
24 |
The Plant Shake Company |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
25 |
With Wild |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
26 |
Solarferm |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
27 |
Powered By Plants NZ |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
28 |
Foodprint |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
29 |
Citizen |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
30 |
Basis |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Food & Beverage |
|
31 |
Quadrent |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Financial and Insurance Services |
|
32 |
The Franklin Energy Sharing Pilot - Ara Ake, Counties Energy and Climate Connect Aotearoa (Auckland Council) |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Electricity, Gas, Water |
|
33 |
Clipcrate |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Electricity, Gas, Water |
|
34 |
Whitehall Technical Services |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Manufacturing |
|
35 |
Lanaco |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Manufacturing |
|
36 |
Kiwileather Innovations |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Manufacturing |
|
37 |
Essity Australasia |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Manufacturing |
|
38 |
Critical |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Manufacturing |
|
39 |
Andrea Edwards, Eco Choice Aotearoa |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Certification |
|
40 |
GoodSense |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Marketing and Communications |
|
41 |
Krissy Bishop, Te Pu-a-Nga Maara |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Nature |
|
42 |
Packaging Recyclers |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Packaging |
|
43 |
Mushroom Material |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Packaging |
|
44 |
Ruby |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Retail |
|
45 |
Ellis Label |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Retail |
|
46 |
Ecostore |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Retail |
|
47 |
Vitalize Sports Recovery |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Sport & Recreation |
|
48 |
Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Tourism |
|
49 |
The Hotel Britomart & Velskov |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Tourism |
|
50 |
Greenbox |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Technology |
|
51 |
Scentian Bio |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Technology |
|
52 |
GoodWrap Recycling Limited |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
53 |
Jasmine Faulkner, Phoenix Recycling Group |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
54 |
Junk2Good |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
55 |
Pact Group |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
56 |
Patrick Moynahan, Echo |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
57 |
Reclaim |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
58 |
TechCollect NZ |
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland |
Waste to Value |
|
59 |
Mohoao Seed |
Te Moana a Toi / Bay of Plenty |
Food & Beverage |
|
60 |
Goodbye |
Te Moana a Toi / Bay of Plenty |
Retail |
|
61 |
Biowave |
Te Moana a Toi / Bay of Plenty |
Research & Education |
|
62 |
Louise Saunders, Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust |
Te Moana a Toi / Bay of Plenty |
Nature |
|
63 |
Destination Charge |
Te Moana a Toi / Bay of Plenty |
Transport & Logistics |
|
64 |
Ngā Waihua o Paerangi |
Manawatū-Whanganui |
Research & Education |
|
65 |
BioLumic |
Manawatū-Whanganui |
Technology |
|
66 |
Replay NZ Charitable Trust |
Manawatū-Whanganui |
Waste to Value |
|
67 |
Stephanie Martin, The Repurpose Project |
Waikato |
Built Environment |
|
68 |
Ōku New Zealand |
Waikato |
Healthcare |
|
69 |
Eco-index |
Waikato |
Research & Education |
|
70 |
Te Whangai Trust |
Waikato |
Nature |
|
71 |
Waikato RiverCare |
Waikato |
Nature |
|
72 |
Cozy Crops |
Waikato |
Nature |
|
73 |
Circular Plastics New Zealand |
Waikato |
Waste to Value |
|
74 |
Lastmyle |
Taranaki |
Electricity, Gas, Water |
|
75 |
East Coast Exchange |
Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne |
Nature |
|
76 |
Respond Bio |
Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne |
Primary Industry |
|
77 |
Slash for Cash |
Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne |
Waste to Value |
|
78 |
Mara Bio |
Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawke's Bay |
Food & Beverage |
|
79 |
Adele Rose, 3R Group |
Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawke's Bay |
Waste to Value |
|
80 |
3R Group |
Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawke's Bay |
Waste to Value |
|
81 |
Cahoots Workshop |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Built Environment |
|
82 |
two/fiftyseven |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Built Environment |
|
83 |
Amber Craig, Te Whare Hangahanga |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Built Environment |
|
84 |
Mugcycle |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Community |
|
85 |
JT Group |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Cleaning |
|
86 |
Blackcurrent |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Electricity, Gas, Water |
|
87 |
Garage Project |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Food & Beverage |
|
88 |
The Bond Store |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Food & Beverage |
|
89 |
FillGood |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Packaging |
|
90 |
Predator Free NZ |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Nature |
|
91 |
Orba Shoes |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Retail |
|
92 |
Otaki Kids Market |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Retail |
|
93 |
Solid |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Retail |
|
94 |
Trent Fulcher, Starboard Maritime Intelligence |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Technology |
|
95 |
Starboard Maritime Intelligence |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Technology |
|
96 |
Trackgood |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Technology |
|
97 |
CoShop |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Technology |
|
98 |
Power Trip |
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington |
Transport & Logistics |
|
99 |
CarbonCrop |
Whakatū / Nelson |
SaaS |
|
100 |
Circle Living |
Te Tai-o-Aorere / Tasman |
Rental & Real Estate |
|
101 |
Seismic Shift |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Built Environment |
|
102 |
nezo |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Built Environment |
|
103 |
Rangi Ruru Girls' School |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Education |
|
104 |
NE Tech |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Food & Beverage |
|
105 |
Medsalv |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Manufacturing |
|
106 |
Ekos |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Sustainability Service Provider |
|
107 |
Steven Moe, Seeds Podcast & Parry Field Lawyers |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Social housing, Legal structures, Content generation |
|
108 |
Recycle a Dunger |
Waitaha / Canterbury |
Transport & Logistics |
|
109 |
StrawSIPS |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Built Environment |
|
110 |
Hiberna Modular |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Built Environment |
|
111 |
Aro Ha Wellness Retreat |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Built Environment |
|
112 |
Eden Juice |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Food & Beverage |
|
113 |
Ryder Specialty Coffee |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Food & Beverage |
|
114 |
Arbol |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Manufacturing |
|
115 |
Kate Meyer, The Planetary Accounting Network |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Research & Education |
|
116 |
Planetary Facts Steering Group |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Research & Education |
|
117 |
The Planetary Accounting Network |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Research & Education |
|
118 |
Le Velo Studio |
Ōtākou / Otago |
Transport & Logistics |
|
119 |
Zak Shaw, Development West Coast |
Te Tai Poutini / West Coast |
Nature |