WIO Finalists in Sustainable Business Awards

by Bree Arnott

WIO are thrilled to be among the finalists in the NZ Sustainable Business Awards!

Whenua Iti have been named as finalists in 2 categories. The Social Impactor Category, which recognises businesses that bring about positive change for their environment & communities; and a new award for Resilience in Crisis that acknowledges the ability for businesses to pivot in the face of Covid-19 challenges to ensure sustainable outcomes for their organisation.

The Awards, with winners to be announced in November, are run by the Sustainable Business Network who foster sustainable business practices across all sectors by connecting people and ideas so both people and nature can prosper. The Awards, which have been running for 18 years, recognise and celebrate success in sustainability.  

“We truly feel our selection is a reflection not only of our wonderful team and the work of our Board, but also the work of our local schools, partners, funders and community organisations that enable us to do what we do” says Mark Bruce-Miller, General Manager at WIO. ” We are all working together to build a sustainable community, both in its people and the environment, and we certainly cannot do that alone.”  

This is particularly true for the Resilience in Crisis Award. Resilience and adaptability are important threads of our organisation that allow Whenua Iti to respond to the needs in our community as they change. The reality is the response by Whenua Iti during lockdown restrictions, in which our model of programme delivery was quickly reinvented, simply couldn’t have happened without the ongoing support from our partners & funders. “In particular we wish to acknowledge the amazing support we received from the Rātā Foundation, Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council, Top of the South Trades Academy & the West Coast Trades Academy who listened and supported our ideas to keep our programmes going.”

This award is open to public voting. You can cast your vote by heading to the Resilience in Crisis Award webpage.

Whenua Iti Outdoors is also one of 8 finalists in the Social Impactor category which fits with the mission at Whenua Iti to achieve positive change in individuals and communities, something that is held at the heart of all programmes. Inspiring positive change in our youth is particularly relevant in the current climate, where building resilience, confidence & leadership skills is so important in the face of Covid-19 disruptions.  

Recent projects at Whenua Iti Outdoors highlight the commitment we have to supporting the community long-term. We have been developing our site to be able to accommodate more community groups, have been involved in the Moutere Catchment project to restore & enhance the biodiversity of the valley and are working on developing new programmes to establish vocational pathways for youth with local employers.  

There is still more that can be done and WIO are committed to ensuring we are here to respond to the needs of our community as they change.  

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.  

With your food basket, and my food basket, the people will thrive.


Want to find out more about a programme or have a question for us? Talk to one of our friendly team - we're happy to help.