Taupo Beef takes top Sustainable Business Network award

Taupo Beef takes top Sustainable Business Network award

Taupo Beef has been named the overall winner of the 2015 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards held at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront tonight (24 November).

Taupo Beef won the Restorative Impact Award as well as the ‘NZI Greatest Contribution to a Sustainable New Zealand’ (Supreme Award) through its vision to lead New Zealand beef farming while also protecting the water quality in Lake Taupo.

The standard New Zealand farm business model of increasing production in the face of rising costs and flat commodity prices no longer applied in the Taupo area due to the Waikato Regional Council's introduction of nitrogen caps.

Modelling showed that farmers would soon be insolvent when having to cap nitrogen and hence livestock numbers. Taupo Beef comes from three farms which are operating under New Zealand's toughest environmental standards aimed at protecting water quality in Lake Taupo. They have successfully converted their farming practice to protect the waterways and produce high quality beef that demands a premium price. The impact of the model has the potential to permanently change New Zealand's farming practices and consumers’ purchasing behaviour.

Rachel Brown, Sustainable Business Network Chief Executive Officer says “Taupo Beef stood out to the judges because it has lead the way in successfully farming with fewer livestock and also connecting with consumers who will pay a premium for their products. Told that it wouldn't work, they are instead receiving outstanding reviews for their beef and are demonstrating how New Zealand farmers can change to produce a high value product while also farming environmentally and sustainably.”

The award judges said "Taupo Beef are leading the change – Mike has recently been asked to chair a Ministry of Primary Industries, Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment, Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Conservation group with the express purpose to provide a leadership position on the future of New Zealand’s agriculture."

The NZI Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Awards are New Zealand’s only sustainable business awards. The awards are in their 13th year and are designed to recognise businesses that are making a real difference by innovating and transforming New Zealand’s business landscape.

SBN focusses on four pillars that encapsulate the future direction of the New Zealand economy. These are areas SBN believes New Zealand has a natural advantage in and include renewables, massive resource efficiency, community and restorative business.

“The Awards recognise the impact and innovation organisations are making in each of these transformation areas, in addition to awards for Communicating Sustainability and a Sustainability Champion” says Ms Brown.

The full results of winners for the SBN awards announced today include:

Cadence Communications Communicating Sustainability Award
Winner:
Eat my Lunch

Commendation:
Generation Zero
Element Magazine Sustainability Champion Award
Winner:
Dorothy Wilson
Commendation:
Shane Hagai

Peter Yealands Restorative Innovation Award
Winner:
Snap Information Technologies Ltd (SnapIT)

Commendations:
Ethique
Whai Maia Trust

Restorative Impact Award
Winner:
Taupo Beef
Commendation:
Junk Run

Community Impact Award
Winner:
Kaibosh
Commendation:
Deloitte/Oxfam

EcoPro Cleaning Co Community innovation Award
Winner:
Ākina Foundation

Commendation:
HoneyLab

Ricoh Mega Efficiency Innovation Award
Winner:
Wishbone Design Studio
Commendation:
OptiFleet

Auckland Council Mega Efficiency Impact Award
Winner:
Kaibosh
Commendation
3R Group

Renewables Innovation Award
Winner:
Gull / DB Breweries
Commendation:
Fulton Hogan and Reid Technology

Renewables Impact Award
Winner:
Abodo Wood
Commendation:
Kiwi Property Group

EECA Business Energy Management Award
Winner:
Laminex NZ - Taupo manufacturing site
Commendation:
New Zealand Post

NZI Greatest Contribution to a Sustainable New Zealand (Supreme Award)
Taupo Beef

ENDS

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