Foreword
Kia ora koutou,
The popular narrative would have you believe the circular, regenerative, low-carbon transition is stalling. That the momentum has gone. That this is a time to pull back, retrench, stay quiet.
We disagree. Loudly and persistently.
The transition doesn't stop because the politics got difficult, or because the economic recovery stalled. For us, and for the businesses in our network, it accelerates — quietly, literally from the ground up. It's driven by the people and organisations who believe Aotearoa New Zealand can be a global leader in addressing climate change and regenerating nature. Who choose to look past the barriers and keep delivering impact, together.
Yes, it's been a tough few years. Funding tightened. Policy retreated. Some of the organisations and programmes that stood alongside us are no longer there. And we made our own painful decisions too.
We lost the brilliance and commitment of valued team members — Andy, Tori and Jaz — not because of anything they did, but because the funding simply wasn't there. We also said farewell to Gemma, Poppy, Nayesha, Malikah, Steph, Rosie, Maeghan and Shawn Elise, each moving into their next chapter — new roles, new travels, new arrivals. To all of them: thank you for the passion you poured into every project, every partnership, every achievement. We are better for having worked alongside you.
Some of the highlights we built together
Nature investment and regeneration
This year we raised more than $1.5 million for nature regeneration - another 35,826 native plants and trees in the ground, and 20 community partners funded. We launched the Tāmaki Taiao Alliance: the first initiative of its kind bringing Auckland Council, Foundation North and business together to fund mana whenua-led restoration at landscape scale. Seven iwi and hapū projects. Endorsement from the Auckland Conservation Board. Growing interest as a model for the nation. We're proud of it and we're just getting started.
Celebrating the innovators and change agents
With NZI's support, the Sustainable Business Awards, the newly launched Next Fest and the Next Wave report with the University of Canterbury gave profile and connection to 119 remarkable Awards finalists. Collectively, they tell a powerful story — one of renewable energy, low-carbon mobility, organic food, clean tech and thriving Te Ao Māori business models. Three were nominated for the EarthShot Prize, putting Aotearoa New Zealand's sustainable business community firmly on the world stage.
Electrifying our economy
We partnered with EECA, Rewiring Aotearoa, Daikin and Schneider Electric to stand up the Electrify Business programme — delivering online and in-person training to hundreds of businesses across Northland, Waikato, Auckland and nationally. Alongside this, we built a directory of electrification providers drawn from our network, giving businesses a practical resource they're already putting to use.
Funding the future of sustainable business
Every day we get to see what innovative, bold and fearless businesses can achieve — and how many of them are held back by a lack of access to capital. So we've taken our boldest step yet into sustainable finance.
Together with the generous time and expertise of sustainable finance leaders, we are co-creating the SBN Sustainable Business Fund — designed to fund the growth of impact businesses that traditional finance overlooks. Early-stage investors are already on board to support its setup and design, and we're deeply grateful to five long-standing members of our whānau who were first to back it: Jon and Yoshimi Brett, Pathfinder, Motion Capital and Tim McMains. That trust,from people who've been part of our network for years, means everything to us.
We're looking for more investors who share that vision. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.
We are a wonderfully diverse network that acts – together - and we need your ongoing support
For us, networks aren't lists. They're living systems. They grow when people act — when they show up, fund, plant, build, learn, advocate and collaborate. They weaken when participation becomes passive.
Together with our Network we're focused on three things, and all three require continued action and investment: regenerating nature at scale; lifting sustainable innovation through education, profile, support and funding; and transforming business-as-usual by building the widest, most active network we can — one that keeps growing in numbers, in roles and in impact.
We are enormously grateful to the SBN Board for the time, expertise and wisdom they so generously give. The Audit and Risk Committee, led by Sean Kelly, has helped us navigate some of the most challenging financial conditions we've faced. Barry Coates' contribution to the SBN Fund development has been invaluable. And to Dawn Baggaley, Kath Dewar, Céline Louche and Amber Nicholson — your real-world experience, your willingness to test and challenge, and your belief in what we do keeps us striving to always go bigger and do better.
To our partners and funders — you make our dreams possible. To our wonderful network — you are the heart of SBN and we're grateful you've stayed the course. And to the SBN team — you make us braver and louder than we'd ever be alone. Thank you.
The future we're building has been 25 years in the making. It's not going backwards and there is much more to do. So stay with us. Encourage others to join us. Learn with us. Partner with us.
Despite everything, this remains the best work in the world. Let's keep going — together.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jacqueline Farman, Chair and Rachel Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Business Network
