Individual Environmental Leadership or Action

Since she began in 2021 she has helped Sanford’s salmon division recycle or repurpose over 1,300 tonnes of waste materials. That’s 82.8 percent of waste diverted away from landfill, as part of a goal to reduce total waste by at least 70 percent.

She led the commissioning and installation of a new processing line to make work easier for her employees. She has also overseen the implementation of a gumboot recycling programme, efforts to repurpose old equipment for the community and regular rubbish pick-ups. With her team and Mainfreight, she reduced the outer liner requirements for polybins, which has already saved more than 810kg of plastic. Under Sarah’s leadership, the entire Sanford Bluff Processing team is involved in supporting environmental and sustainability outcomes.

Sarah volunteers for the Graeme Dingle Foundation and mentors students at Southland Boys’ High School. She is working with other Sanford teams within New Zealand to create fully recyclable packaging for salmon products, using local businesses in the process.

A work programme of extensive native tree planting and pest control has been established to restore wetland and native forest habitats. Dave has played a key role in turning the Trust’s vision of restoring the site’s mauri and ecosystems for future generations into real progress on the ground. He has organised many planting bees with locals, schools and other Southland groups, which have planted thousands of native trees, continuing the work of many people before him.

Dave previously worked for the Department of Conservation for many years, leading several threatened species, island eradication and pest control projects in Fiordland. This has enabled him to bring a wide range of conservation experience to the project. His knowledge and skills in developing practical, effective and efficient solutions to conservation challenges has greatly helped the Trust.

Predators are continuing to be a major problem in and around Haumuri/Croydon Bush, which includes 874ha of native bush and recreational area. Previously only the eastern areas of East Peak walking tracks had been trapped for control. The area is used by the public, the Hokonui Mountain Bike Club, and schools, and is of high significance to Ngāi Tahu.

Lois and the Hokonui Rūnanga are adding more trapping lines and she leads volunteers to assist in the ongoing trapping network. She is building up more volunteers to undertake the work, which needs constant trapping. More AT220 traps are being deployed this spring (with 10 already in operation) to enhance trapping. Game camera monitoring is also active to inform best practice for control.

Lois is a tireless worker helping to improve te taiao (the natural world), contributing to bringing back biodiversity and manu (bird) song throughout the ngāhere (forest).

The Trust started in 2007, with the aim of providing a trail for cycling along the eastern banks of the Waiau River to link Te Anau and Manapōuri. This has become the Lake2Lake Trail and is incredibly popular with both locals and visitors alike.

Steve chaired the trust for four years after joining in 2012 and he gets a real buzz out of the fact the trail is a safe and accessible cycling option for everyone.

The Trust has broadened its aims to include other trails in the basin and has some ambitious concept plans to link with neighbouring cycle trails. It has provided gains in promoting health through cycling and walking along accessible trails and running events.

Steve is a good keen Fiordlander who has provided leadership for a set of projects that are a huge gain for his community and its environment. He is a passionate advocate for the environment and his energy and leadership has made a huge positive difference for the local community.