Latest news with #WAIWānaka
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Million-tree milestone helps environment
Over the past decade the Sustainable Business Network has planted one million native plants and trees. The country's largest sustainable business organisation has supported more than 70 community-led nature projects since beginning 10 years ago. Together, more than one million native plants and trees under those projects. One of the groups that have benefited from SBN's help is WAI Wānaka. The non-profit community organisation is accelerating local action for freshwater and healthy ecosystems across the Upper Clutha River region. "Since partnering with SBN in 2017, the funds we've received have helped us secure vital resources for both our rural and urban communities," WAI Wānaka chief executive Cat Dillon said. "This money has gone towards native planting initiatives that help to restore biodiversity and improve the health of our freshwater. "We're thrilled to hit this important milestone. It represents a massive amount of work by thousands of people, many who have volunteered their time, to help regenerate nature in Aotearoa New Zealand," SBN regenerate nature team lead Stephanie Vercoe said. "We started our Million Metres Streams project 10 years ago. The aim was to plant a million metres of New Zealand waterways with native plants and trees. Since the trees are planted on average a metre apart, we're celebrating achieving our original goal." Ms Vercoe said business support was vital to halt and reverse the biodiversity crisis. "That's why we're launching our Connect for Nature initiative — to make it even easier for businesses to get involved in meaningful nature regeneration," Ms Vercoe said. New Zealand has one of the highest proportions of threatened indigenous species in the world. According to the Department of Conservation, more than 4000 native species are either threatened or at risk of extinction. Connect for Nature directly addresses this crisis by linking businesses wanting to support nature projects with trusted community groups already doing the mahi on the ground. "Businesses have a wealth of resources they can offer — from staff time and expertise to materials, equipment and logistical support. These contributions help community groups and iwi-led initiatives stretch their capacity and achieve greater impact on the ground. The main focus is on making it easy for businesses to get hands on with nature regeneration through staff volunteering." Volunteer activities include native planting, habitat restoration, litter cleanups, pest control, site maintenance and learning-focused workshops. Businesses can also help with resources such as equipment, access to land, knowledge, finance, communication capabilities, connections and opportunities for skills development. "By getting more businesses involved, we can really increase the impact of community and iwi-led projects around the country," Ms Vercoe said. "Through our programme, businesses get to support biodiversity and ecosystem health. They also build deeper relationships with communities, enhance staff engagement and demonstrate meaningful action on sustainability." The Connect for Nature launch coincides with preparations for SBN's second Nature & Business Symposium on Wednesday (August 6), focused on helping businesses take practical action for nature.
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Million Tree Milestone Seeds New Nature Initiative
The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is celebrating the planting of one million native plants and trees as it launches a nationwide initiative to boost nature regeneration. Over the past decade, Aotearoa New Zealand's largest sustainable business organisation has supported more than 70 community-led nature projects. Together, those projects have planted more than a million native plants and trees. 'We're thrilled to hit this important milestone. It represents a massive amount of work by thousands of people, many who have volunteered their time, to help regenerate nature in Aotearoa New Zealand,' says Stephanie Vercoe, SBN's Regenerate Nature Team Lead. 'We started our Million Metres Streams project 10 years ago. The aim was to plant a million metres of New Zealand waterways with native plants and trees. Since the trees are planted on average a metre apart, we're celebrating achieving our original goal.' One of the groups that has benefitted from SBN's help is WAI Wānaka. The non-profit community organisation is accelerating local action for freshwater and healthy ecosystems across the Upper Clutha River region. 'Since partnering with SBN in 2017, the funds we've received have helped us secure vital resources for both our rural and urban communities,' says WAI Wānaka CEO Cat Dillon. 'This money has gone towards native planting initiatives that help to restore biodiversity and improve the health of our freshwater." Stephanie says business support is vital to halt and reverse the biodiversity crisis. 'That's why we're launching our Connect for Nature initiative – to make it even easier for businesses to get involved in meaningful nature regeneration.' Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the highest proportions of threatened indigenous species in the world. According to the Department of Conservation more than 4,000 native species are either threatened or at risk of extinction. Connect for Nature directly addresses this crisis by linking businesses wanting to support nature projects with trusted community groups already doing the mahi (work) on the ground. 'Businesses have a wealth of resources they can offer – from staff time and expertise to materials, equipment and logistical support. These contributions help community groups and iwi-led initiatives stretch their capacity and achieve greater impact on the ground. The main focus is on making it easy for businesses to get hands-on with nature regeneration through staff volunteering.' Volunteer activities include native planting, habitat restoration, litter cleanups, pest control, site maintenance and learning-focused workshops. Businesses can also help with resources including equipment, access to land, knowledge, finance, communication capabilities, connections or opportunities for skill development. 'By getting more businesses involved, we can really increase the impact of community and iwi-led projects around the country,' says Stephanie. 'Through our programme, businesses get to support biodiversity and ecosystem health. They also build deeper relationships with communities, enhance staff engagement and demonstrate meaningful action on sustainability. The Connect for Nature launch coincides with preparations for SBN's second Nature & Business Symposium on 6 August, focused on helping businesses take practical action for nature. Notes: The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest sustainable business organisation, representing a diverse cross-section of the business and sustainability communities. We're at the forefront of change, driven by a vision of a world where people and nature prosper. We provide the tools, knowledge and connections needed to accelerate the shift to a sustainable future. Download before and after photos of Wai Wānaka's Penrith wetlands regeneration project.
Otago Daily Times
14-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Photographer shares visual stories from rural communities
Wellington phtographer Nick Netzler travelled to Wanaka earlier this year, as part of Creative NZ's Pacific Arts Nature Residencies. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Wellington photographer Nick Netzler travelled to Wānaka earlier this year, as part of a nature residency. Netzler was in awe of the Wānaka landscape and saw first-hand how the community looked after the land and its resources. "This was a whole new experience for me. As someone from urban Wellington, spending time with WAI Wānaka and their community really opened my eyes. I was surprised by how familiar it felt — like working with whanau. The way we came together and valued the environment felt very natural for me from a Pasifika worldview," he said. "I was in awe of the beautiful Wānaka landscape and the community's efforts to protect it. They're doing all this research on measuring nitrate levels and micros. There were some things I had no idea existed! As a photographer, it was a big learning curve seeing how hands-on and practical the work is to keep the waterways healthy and flowing." Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Nature Residencies are an opportunity for experienced Pasifika photographers to capture the stories of Aotearoa's rural communities. Two residencies were co-designed by Creative New Zealand staff and communities in the Upper Waimakariri and WAI Wānaka catchments. The initiative between art and environment was supported by Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities, the national body supporting those dedicated to sustainable land and water management. The initiative incorporates photography and digital storytelling to highlight the resilience and renewal of freshwater ecosystems, sustainable land use, and biodiversity. Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities chairman Ben Ensor was excited to collaborate with Creative New Zealand Pacific arts and the catchment communities. "Each catchment group is addressing complex issues such as water quality, climate change and biodiversity that are specific to their area, and they are doing so through community-led initiatives. ANZCC is looking forward to supporting these stories being shared to a broader audience," Mr Ensor said. Event details: Nick Netzler x WAI Wānaka digital photography exhibition When: Thursday, June 19 Thursday, June 19 Where: Wānaka Community Hub, Sidey Auditorium Wānaka Community Hub, Sidey Auditorium Time: Event starts at 6.30pm
