GREEN GOLD
in association with GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL
~ sustainable products & programmes
2020 FINALISTS
AGAIN AGAIN
Guilt-free Cups Deluxe....
After a light bulb moment in March 2018, in which Nada Piatek Managing Director, (pictured) saw a systematic approach to addressing single-use waste in the coffee industry, Again Again was born – and so was the reusable takeaway coffee cup revolution.
"Again Again offers a sustainable solution – in a Kiwi industry that sees 295 million single-use cups entering landfills and the ecosystem annually – through a reusable and refundable coffee cup share system, which stops upwards of 820,000 single-use cups entering landfills annually.” Nada tells us.
The reusable steel cups are available with a deposit and return at participating cafes, giving coffee fiends peace of mind with every sip.
LEARN MORE: www.againagain.co @againagainco
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GREEN GOLD
in association with GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL
~ sustainable products & programmes
2020 FINALISTS
AGAIN AGAIN
Guilt-free Cups Deluxe....
After a light bulb moment in March 2018, in which Nada Piatek Managing Director, (pictured) saw a systematic approach to addressing single-use waste in the coffee industry, Again Again was born – and so was the reusable takeaway coffee cup revolution.
"Again Again offers a sustainable solution – in a Kiwi industry that sees 295 million single-use cups entering landfills and the ecosystem annually – through a reusable and refundable coffee cup share system, which stops upwards of 820,000 single-use cups entering landfills annually.” Nada tells us.
The reusable steel cups are available with a deposit and return at participating cafes, giving coffee fiends peace of mind with every sip.
LEARN MORE: www.againagain.co @againagainco
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INNOVATION GOLD in association with DATACOM
~ inventive new products & processes
2020 FINALISTS
INNOVATION GOLD in association with DATACOM
~ inventive new products & processes
INNOVATION GOLD in association with DATACOM
~ inventive new products & processes
2020 FINALISTS
2020 FINALISTS
Wellington region's premier annual business celebration
TRANZIT GROUP
GREEN GOLD
~ sustainability practices
Previous Winners include:
The Capital Kiwi Project • Garage Project • East by West Ferries
Little Yellow Bird • Tranzurban • The Formary • Flight Plastics • Peoples Coffee Green Cabs • Envirocomp • Mana Recovery • Celcius Coffee • Wellington Zoo
Resene • Dulux NZ • Zealandia
2025 FINALISTS
JH WHITTAKER & SONS
Bar None Better
Whittaker’s is setting the standard for ethical, sustainable chocolate in New Zealand.
All cocoa beans are 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified and fully traceable-Whittaker’s achieved this milestone ahead of schedule, geo-mapping over 2,400 Ghanaian farms.
Their holistic sustainability strategy includes electrifying forklifts, reducing packaging plastics, and planting 1,000 hectares of shade trees in Ghana to boost yields and sequester carbon.
“Best is always better-for our chocolate and our planet,” says Matt Whittaker (pictured with Holly Whittaker, Co-Chief Operating Officers.
Waste is meticulously tracked and diverted, with over 80 tonnes of factory food waste repurposed and 30 tonnes of pallets turned into garden chips.
Whittaker’s leads by example, proving that delicious chocolate and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
LEARN MORE:
www.whittakers.co.nz
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NGĀ MANU NATURE RESERVE
Nature Calls
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is a beacon of sustainability and conservation on the Kāpiti Coast, protecting 14 hectares of native forest and wetland while inspiring 30,000 visitors and 3,000 students annually.
Their ambitious Sustainability Strategy impacts everyday action: solar panels now generate up to 50% of electricity, a new electric wildlife vehicle cuts fossil fuel use, and 91.3% of waste is diverted from landfill.
“Our goal is to be a model for sustainable tourism and conservation in Aotearoa, New Zealand,” says manager Anna McKenzie Hawea (pictured).
Ngā Manu leads in rare species recovery, innovative plant propagation, and community education, and has dramatically reduced carbon emissions to just 6.93 tons CO₂e.
Their efforts have earned Qualmark Silver and the Electra Business Awards Sustainability trophy.
LEARN MORE:
www.ngamanu.org.nz
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NGĀ MOKOPUNA
@ Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington
Building on Tradition
Ngā Mokopuna, the new marae complex at Victoria University of Wellington, sets a national benchmark for regenerative, sustainable building.
Designed to meet the Living Building Challenge®, it generates all its own electricity via solar, collects and recycles 100% of water, and treats all wastewater onsite.
“Ngā Mokopuna is more than a building-it’s a living example of how we can balance people, place, and nature for a better world,” says project lead Andrew Wilks (pictured with Rawinia Higgins Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori & Kaitiakitanga) ).
Over 95% of construction waste was diverted from landfill, and the building sequesters more carbon than it emits. Indigenous knowledge shapes every detail, from habitat creation for native species to Red List-compliant materials, making Ngā Mokopuna a flagship for sustainable practice in Aotearoa.
LEARN MORE:
www.wgtn.ac.nz/maori-at-victoria/marae/nga-whare/nga-mokopuna
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OHAU GOURMET MUSHROOMS (OGM!)
Mushroom Magic
Ohau Gourmet Mushrooms (OGM!) is redefining sustainable food production on a small permaculture farm in Ohau.
Every step-from using forestry and soy industry waste as mushroom substrate to compost-powered heating and solar energy-reflects a deep commitment to closed-loop, low-impact systems.
“Sustainability isn’t just a practice, it’s our philosophy: every output becomes an input for something else,” says founder Brent Williams (pictured with co-founder Jude Horrill).
OGM! produces virtually zero landfill waste, harvests all water onsite, and has pioneered energy-free substrate sterilisation and pine pellet substrate-now adopted nationwide.
Their compost enriches poor dune soils, and even plastic waste is stockpiled for on-farm recycling.
OGM! freely shares its methods, hosting tours and events to spread sustainable innovation throughout the food sector.
LEARN MORE:
https://mycobio.co.nz
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PRESTON FOODS & MASTER BUTCHERS
Meat the Future
Preston's Foods & Master Butchers, a fifth-generation family business supplying restaurants, food manufacturers, and care facilities nationwide, blends tradition with sustainability at its modern 1000m² production facility.
Their Toitū enviromark® gold certification was achieved through a robust Environmental Management System and investment in greener technology.
“Sustainability is about protecting communities and the environment for future generations. For true business success, it’s not about what you do, but caring about how you do it” says General Manager Leigh Taulelei (pictured)
Upgrades include CO₂ refrigeration, utilising natural refrigerant with minimal environmental impact, and water recirculation packing machinery, saving thousands of litres.
Further reducing emissions by sourcing local efficient transport, and committing to food waste elimination, makes Preston’s leaders in responsible food production.
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UNIPLAS NZ
Plastic Fantastic
Uniplas NZ is leading sustainable manufacturing with one of New Zealand’s largest rooftop solar arrays—1,622 panels covering 5,300m², generating 70–90% of its energy and saving over 80 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Their holistic approach includes renewable energy, hybrid and electric vehicles, and circular product design, such as fully circular bread crates.
“Our new solar system is a hedge against rising costs and reflects our strong commitment to sustainability,” says Product Development Manager Joseph Whitmore (pictured).
Uniplas has cut waste by 50%, reduced its carbon footprint by 54%, and is an active member of Project Clean Sweep.
Their innovations set a benchmark for sustainable change in the plastics industry, proving that environmental responsibility drives resilience and growth.
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