Foreword
2024/25 has been a year of leading through turbulence and delivering with determination and conviction.
It’s been tough. We’ve seen damaging political attacks on Te Tiriti, diversity, pay equity and on nature itself. In response, we’ve raised our voice and stepped into the public debate, offering evidence, submissions and challenges to the direction being taken. We’ve stood up for the role of business in shaping a future that works for people and nature.
At the same time, trust in institutions is declining. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, fewer people believe that government, media, NGOs — or even business — truly have their interests at heart. That’s a warning. Business has long been the most trusted to lead, and if that trust is slipping we need to ask why.
With all of this in mind, we rolled up our sleeves and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved in a tough economy.
· We wrapped up our multi-year partnership on climate action, which has created open-sourced practical tools and pathways that are supporting thousands of businesses across Aotearoa.
· We backed community and Māori-led nature regeneration at scale, helping raise over $1 million. This mahi has been grounded in interconnection, whakapapa, and collective care for the whenua. We showcased this at the Nature & Business Symposium, recognising kaupapa Māori and community leadership coming together with business and philanthropy.
· As part of our mission to design out waste, we focused on the built environment. We worked with the Construction Sector Accord to create resources on integrated design and product stewardship.
· We also reimagined our biggest public-facing initiative – transforming 22 years of the Sustainable Business Awards to spotlight the innovators and disruptors at the cutting edge of change. That led to the creation of the Next 95, a list of 95 finalists leading Aotearoa New Zealand towards a better future. It was one of the most energising collaborations we’ve ever led! This coming year it will be bigger and better, thanks especially to the support from NZI.
· Learning has been at the heart of our mahi this year. We expanded our training and advisory services to meet demand, delivering everything from targeted masterclasses to a new foundational series for SMEs. Our leadership courses, which never fail to impress, went deeper, informing mindset shifts and building meaningful collaborations across sectors.
· We also delivered one of our critical pieces of mahi: the Communicating Sustainability Masterclass. At a time of increasing misinformation and fear of greenwashing, we gave people the tools and confidence to speak with clarity, credibility and integrity. For many, it’s been a game-changer, helping them lift their voices when it matters most.
There’s good data in this report — but more importantly, there’s real support and potential behind it. A hardworking team. Brave partners. Hundreds of businesses and individuals quietly reframing the future. That’s what we’re most proud of.
Looking ahead, we aspire to accelerate the growth of our network and to unite around three essential areas:
1. Regenerating nature at scale with our community, iwi and hapu partners
2. Democratising sustainable innovation with support and investment from the Next programme, our partners and annual Awards
3. Transforming business-as-usual through a learning and support programme, upskilling individuals and organisations from fundamentals to mastery
To everyone who has partnered, learned, supported, delivered, led or simply walked alongside us this year — thank you.
To our Board — Dawn Baggaley, Kath Dewar, Céline Louche, Sean Kelly, Barry Coates, Sophia Olo-Whaanga and Amber Nicholson — a special thank you for your wise guidance, challenge and unwavering support. Your leadership helps shape our direction and lift our aspirations every step of the way.
To our partners — we couldn’t do this without the combination of your financial support, your energy and delivery on the ground.
To our vibrant, diverse network — you are the heart of SBN. Thank you for staying the course, for showing up and for continuing to innovate, partner and lead.
And to the SBN team — your passion, dedication and belief in this mahi shine through in everything you do. Thank you for bringing your passion and determination — early starts and late finishes — to our ambitions.
Despite the noise, the pressure and the setbacks, we remain absolutely committed to a sustainable future and the opportunities for businesses. We’ll keep leading, together. It’s the most important work in the world – and there’s much more to do.
Let’s do it together.
Ngā mihi nui
Rachel and Jacqueline
