Environmental Leadership and Innovation in Business

Their goal is “to ensure the production of the highest quality organic milk”. To achieve this, they have a set of values that focus on three priority areas. By focusing on people, animals and environment they support their teams’ livelihoods. They believe their people are the key to a successful business and empower their teams to make the best decisions they can. They develop the skills of all staff by providing industry training and supporting professional development.

Animal welfare always comes first when making decisions about productivity. They believe in protecting their land and waterways, and reducing air pollution, whilst benefiting the health and quality of life for their teams and livestock.

They work closely with local suppliers to keep things in Southland and provide opportunity for the region. Their objectives are to reduce their carbon footprint, nutrient losses and to farm sustainably. Their stocking rate has reduced by 30 percent with less intensive farming practices improving soil condition, animal health and nutrient loss.

Historically 1,000 deer are harvested annually to benefit conservation and recreation. The programme was hit by Covid, which stopped all venison exports and a lot of tourism to Fiordland. At that time the Foundation’s deer management was financed by venison exports and its conservation projects were sponsored by tourism. To survive, the Foundation had to innovate to provide venison to the urban market in New Zealand. They found a like- minded partner in a new business called With Wild, who wanted to invest in sustainable wild game and conservation. The Foundation linked up with Burger Fuel, one of the largest burger chains in New Zealand.

During 2022/23 With Wild have taken 70 percent of the deer harvest, with around $300,000 coming back to Foundation’s conservation projects. This is funding deer control in Fiordland, as well as and stoat, rat and possum control, helping the preservation of native species. The Foundation has been able to invest extra money into its Nitz Valley predator control programme, doubling trap numbers. Whio (blue duck) numbers have been boosted significantly as a result.

The importance of local food with a minimal carbon footprint is becoming more important by the day. Brendan is a big believer in keeping veggies local to help boost the community’s health and also helping the local economy by providing businesses with the highest quality ingredients possible. He supplies local shops, high-end restaurants, a farmer’s market and a few private chefs and caterers.

He hopes to be an inspiration for future growers to see an alternative and sustainable option where a small plot of land and the right growing system are all that is needed.

A hydrogen production and refuelling facility is being established in Southland, the first in the South Island and one of the first in New Zealand. Their partners in the hydrogen programme include Allied Petroleum, Transport Repairs and Fi Innovations. They are driving sustainable change by pioneering hydrogen as zero-emission fuel for trucks. The dual fuel trucks when running at 40% displacement reduce emissions by 200kg CO2e per day per truck. They have already accomplished significant milestones, including commissioning the first dual fuel truck in Australasia (as part of an initial 10-truck trial), successfully procuring equipment, designing sites and building strong relationships with suppliers. They are also developing systems to optimise truck routes and manage carbon reduction activities. All this makes a tangible impact on reducing emissions.

They work collaboratively with Murihiku Southland councils and the Southland Warm Homes Trust to help achieve healthier homes for whānau. A significant aspect of this is helping the community attain better air quality, while also promoting energy efficiency and lowering people’s carbon footprint. Everything they do has a focus on climate change and future proofing homes to be resilient, whether in extreme cold or heat.

With a strong kaitiakitanga focus, they are developing a sustainability strategy and believe a warm home is the solid base on which better environmental, social, health and education outcomes are built.

During the past two years they have insulated about 1100 homes, equating to about $25.8 million of community benefit. This includes money returned to the economy through employment, fewer people becoming sick and a significant positive contribution to the wider Murihiku Southland environment and economy.

The new marae is a kainga/home for all the community. It has a tohorā (whale) shape, with the newly developed Hine o te Iwi featuring a reception area situated at the tail. The body of the marae houses modern facilities such as offices, meeting rooms, wānanga spaces and the wharekai (dining area). Preserving the wairua (spirit) and significance of the marae, the wharenui Te Rakitauneke, remains as the head of this remarkable transformation. Future development will include a doctor’s facility and youth justice home, as well as more kaumatua flats.

The dream has always been about future-proofing, not just for whānau, but for the whole community. The marae is a community hub where all sorts of activity takes place. The building features large amounts of recycled and repurposed materials such as the flyash concrete, old concrete from the site, wood from the Catlins and Waitutu areas, and carpets made with old fishing nets.