The annual list recognises projects around the world that are making travel better through a focus on sustainability, inclusion, conservation, community and wellbeing.
The Tāmaki Taiao Alliance brings together business, local government, mana whenua and community groups to regenerate nature across Tāmaki Auckland.
Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), says the news is a big boost, less than a year after launch.
“This is fantastic news – and we’re only just getting started. Being recognised this early tells us the world is watching, so watch this space – it’s going to get really impressive.
“For years I have been fighting for investment in urban natural infrastructure. I know rebuilding nature’s resilience isn’t just good for our islands, harbours and forests. It’s good for every Aucklander. It puts a different lens on future of work - it means new jobs, new ideas and investment from here and around the world.
“If we get this right, we’ll have a model that can be repeated in every region of Aotearoa New Zealand, and can be replicated globally. That’s the real impact of this kind of work. It’s a solution whose time has well and truly come.”
The Tāmaki Taiao Alliance is grounded in the principle of taiao ora, mauri ora, ‘nature is life’, a vision shared by Te Pu-a-Nga Maara. It brings together five community conservation partners. Together they will reconnect about 350,000 hectares of fragmented ecosystems including island havens, native forest, wetlands, streams and urban green spaces.
The work includes the removal of invasive species on Waiheke, Kawau and Aotea Islands to restore native bird populations; the fostering of native biodiversity around the Wairoa River through community skill sharing; and the regeneration of forest, wetland and coastal ecosystems in the Kaipara district.
The Alliance was developed by SBN and Auckland Council, and is supported by funding from Chapman Tripp, Foundation North, Office Max as well as Auckland Council.
Other initiatives on Condé Nast’s list include Uganda’s first safari operator for Deaf travellers, South America’s first continental wildlife corridor, the Timeshifter jet lag app, The UAE’s first passenger train network, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship and Air New Zealand’s Skynest sleep pods.
Find out more about the Tāmaki Taiao Alliance and how you can get involved.
View video about the Tāmaki Taiao Alliance.