Regenerating Nature Award

For the organisation restoring and protecting the natural world as part of doing business.

Business and nature are not separate and this award recognises organisations that understand that. These are the organisations integrating nature into the core of how they operate (through their business model, their partnerships or their commercial activity), taking action to restore ecosystems and actively working to enhance biodiversity. This might include embedding nature within core business models, delivering measurable ecological uplift and linking regeneration outcomes to long-term economic value.

This reflects the growing imperative to move beyond reducing harm towards actively supporting the health and resilience of the natural world.

2026 Finalists - Regenerating Nature Award

The following organisations are finalists in the 2026 Sustainable Business Awards. Alongside finalists in the other categories, they form this year's Next list – an annual list of who and what can make Aotearoa New Zealand a global beacon of sustainable business. Winners will be announced at the Awards night on 26 November 2026.

Who it's for:

Organisations of any size or sector - including businesses, not-for-profits, councils, iwi, and community groups whose work restoring and protecting the natural world has a meaningful connection to the business world. This might mean a commercial business model underpins the work, businesses are active partners or collaborators, or the approach demonstrates how nature action supports economic value.

What the judges look for:

measurable positive impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health
integration of nature into core strategy and decision-making
long-term commitment and evidence of progress
approaches that actively restore or regenerate natural systems, not only minimise damage
meaningfully connecting the business world with nature regeneration initiatives