From tourism to finance, the winners demonstrated that sustainability can be incorporated into business in any industry.

SBN Northern Regional Manager James Griffin said the winners and commendations demonstrate these companies commitment to sustainability by setting, and transparently working towards, significant sustainable objectives, and by acting as role models for others in the region. 

"The calibre of entrants was extremely high and the judging panel certainly had their work cut out for them. I'm very impressed with the great initiatives these organisations have in place - they've once again reinforced the business case for sustainability," said James.

Tahi Estate, a privately owned eco property located on the east coast, 30 minutes drive from Whangarei, took out the 'Trailblazer - Small and Medium Business' category for its stand out passion, planning and integration of sustainability across the business.  Judges said Tahi Estate is an example of a company where sustainability is central to the organisation's business.  Miranda Brown Conscious Cloth, a fashion design house based in Auckland, was awarded a Commendation in this category.  Judges were impressed with the amazing innovation across sustainable product development.

Westpac won the 'Trailblazer - Large and Corporate Business Award'. Judges praised the bank's specific targets and achievements in key environmental areas of travel, waste and energy.  Auckland-based printing firm, Soar Printing, took home a Commendation in this category.  Judges were impressed with Soar's balanced triple bottom line approach with and the fact that the company is NZ's only carbon neutral offset printer.

Framework Trust, which delivers community based mental health and intellectual disability services in greater Auckland, won the 'Trailblazer - Not for Profit' category. Judges commended the Trust's commitment and action on sustainability initiatives, in particular its community engagement.

Modular housing company Box Living won the 'Emerging - Small to Medium Business Award' for its whole ethos of designing out problems relating to construction waste and water collection.  Judges were impressed with their vision and focus on providing a better outcome for more people and good use of local sustainable products.

Auckland community directory website Localist (localist.co.nz) won the 'Emerging Large Corporate and Business Award'.  Judges liked the approach Localist took in their influence over their market and local communities and their own choices such as recycled office furniture. They were also impressed with the number of staff trained in sustainability.

 Northern Region Winners

• Trailblazer - Small to Medium Business Award
• Winner: Tahi Estate
• Commendation: Miranda Brown Conscious Cloth
• Trailblazer - Large and Corporate Business Award
• Winner: Westpac
• Commendation: Soar Printing
• Trailblazer - Not for profit: Framework Trust
• Emerging - Small to Medium Business Award: Box Living
• Emerging - Large and Corporate Business Award: Localist Limited

Sponsors

Heart of Auckland City (Awards Sponsor); Parnell Trust (Venue Sponsor) Yealands Estate Winery (Wine Sponsor).  Additional support from Simply Effective and Paradigm.

 Notes to editors

• The judging panel consisted of Sarah Sinclair (SKM), Alec Tang (ERM), Maggie Lawton (Futurebydesign Ltd), Peta Fraser (IAG), Dick Hubbard (Hubbards Food Ltd), Lesley Stone (University of Auckland), Kath Dewar (GoodSense Ltd), Sophie Heighway (NZ Post Group), Manuel Seidel (KBS Sustainable Innovation Partners), Kath Dewar, Fabian Yukich (Villa Maria Estate Ltd), Gary Swift (Auckland Council Investments Ltd).
• High-resolution digital photographs of award winners will be available from  
• 'Trailblazers' are organisations that have been implementing sustainability measures for two years or more
• 'Emerging' organisations have been on the journey for two years or less
• Small and medium businesses have 20 employees or fewer.
• More information on the award categories is available on the Sustainable Business Network website: www.sustainable.org.nz/cms/index.php?page=categories

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