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New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

Te Toa Taiao o te Tau

2025

Finalists

Celebrating those restoring and protecting the natural world. These leaders are creating a more sustainable Aotearoa through action, innovation, and deep commitment to the environment – forging a future that honours both people and planet.


Nominees for this Award must:

  • Demonstrate tangible actions, with proven impact, towards global sustainability goals focused on environment – including (but not limited to) climate change, air and water pollution, water scarcity, food security, deforestation, rising sea levels, loss of species and habitat biodiversity, or loss of indigenous environmental knowledge and traditions.
  • Show significant impact within the past year.
  • Serve as role models fellow New Zealanders (and beyond) – inspiring a sustainable and thriving future for Aotearoa.
  • Meet Awards Conditions of Entry.

Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:

  • 10 points: OVERALL INSPIRATION:
    Describe the person you are nominating and what they’ve done to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as the New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau.
  • 10 points: PURPOSE
    How does the planet benefit from the mahi, contribution, or influence of this person – and how?
  • 10 points: COMMITMENT
    Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing). What have they done that has gone above and beyond to show leadership, creativity/innovation, and create change?
  • 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT
    How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive contribution, with proven impact, towards sustainability (particularly over the last 12 -months)? How has this been measured?
  • 10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT
    If known, how does the nominee plan to grow and/or adapt their work, contribution, or influence in the future? How would winning this award impact this person and the work that they are doing?

 

Conditions of Entry

2025

Semi Finalists

James Willcocks

Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara

James Willcocks, the visionary Project Lead behind Predator Free Wellington, has pioneered one of the most audacious urban conservation efforts in the world. His goal? To expunge every rat, stoat, and weasel from Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, kick-starting the mission on the Miramar Peninsula before branching across the wider region. His leadership, deeply rooted in collaboration and inclusivity, unites mana whenua, local government, volunteers, and residents in a journey toward a predator-free capital where native species flourish.

Under James’s stewardship, over 15,000 predators have been eliminated from the Miramar Peninsula, now functionally predator-free. This monumental feat is the result of his exceptional coordination, data management, and public engagement skills. James’s ability to transform a grand vision into tangible reality, coupled with his unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, is shaping a brighter ecological future for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mike Casey

Otago Ōtākou

“Mike Casey is redefining what climate leadership looks like in Aotearoa New Zealand. As co-owner of the world’s first all-electric orchard, Forest Lodge, he’s proven that sustainability and profitability can grow side-by-side. His pioneering use of 21 electric farm machines, powered by solar and New Zealand’s renewable grid, has cut emissions by around 50 tonnes each year while saving tens of thousands in energy costs – a model that’s inspired farmers and innovators across the country.

Now as CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, Mike is scaling that impact nationally. In just two years, he’s turned the energy think-and-do tank into a globally recognised movement, raising millions in philanthropic funding and building a team of leading experts to make electrification practical, affordable, and exciting. Through relentless advocacy, storytelling, and evidence-based leadership, he’s shifted the national conversation from sacrifice to substitution – showing that a cleaner energy future can also mean a better one for everyone.”

Valerie Marie Ngaoa Teraitua

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

“Valerie Marie Ngaoa Teraitua has spent more than 15 years leading Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae in Māngere, South Auckland – guiding a powerful community movement centred on sustainability, food security, and wellbeing. Under her leadership, the marae has become a nationally recognised model for how local action can restore connection between people and the environment, blending traditional knowledge with innovative, practical solutions.

Valerie is the driving force behind initiatives such as the Koha Café and the Kai Ika Project, which together have diverted tonnes of food from landfill and provided thousands of nutritious meals to families across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. She has championed zero-waste practices, organic food production, and climate adaptation projects that build resilience from the ground up. Leading by example, Valerie continues to inspire others to create change through compassion, collaboration, and care for both people and the planet.”

Dr Richard Hursthouse

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

As Chair of Centennial Park Bush Society in Campbells Bay, Dr Richard Hursthouse has dedicated more than two decades to restoring and protecting Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s native ecosystems. A former medical professional, he has combined scientific insight with practical conservation, leading the transformation of Centennial Park from “just scrub” into one of the city’s largest regenerating native bush reserves. Under his stewardship, more than 24,000 trees have been planted, invasive weeds removed, and 7.5 kilometres of tracks improved for public enjoyment.

Richard has helped guide and lead Pest Free Kaipātiki, Restore Hibiscus & Bays, Forest & Bird North Shore Branch, Tuff Crater Restoration Project, Forest & Bird Board and EcoNet Charitable Trust for conservation IT. In 2025 he was recognised with Forest & Bird’s prestigious Old Blue Award for outstanding conservation service. Richard’s calm and committed leadership has inspired volunteers, community partners, and council staff alike. Through meticulous record-keeping, predator control, and erosion prevention, he has restored habitats for native birds and ensured the park’s ecological resilience for generations to come. His hands-on approach shows a genuine commitment to conservation and community care.

Maria Kuster and Seán Ellis

Southland Murihiku

Maria Kuster and Seán Ellis are the founders of Pure Salt, a Fiordland-based social enterprise proving that tourism and conservation can thrive together. Since 2016, they have transformed their charter-boat operation into a force for ecological restoration in Tamatea Dusky Sound – leading large-scale pest eradication, habitat restoration, and marine clean-up projects that protect one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most fragile ecosystems.

Working alongside scientists, volunteers, and local communities, they have installed thousands of traps, pioneered new pest-control technologies, and supported biodiversity recovery on key islands where native species are returning. Their integrated approach – combining sustainable tourism, zero-waste fishing, art, and education – has inspired national and international recognition. Through Pure Salt, Maria and Seán are showing what’s possible when business becomes a platform for regeneration, building a model of hands-on conservation that connects people to place and helps secure Fiordland’s future.

Jemima Jones

Nelson Whakatū

Jemima Jones is the founder of Grassroots Recycling in Whakatū Nelson, a community-powered movement she built from the ground up to collect and repurpose items that conventional kerbside recycling cannot accept. Starting with bottle tops and bread tags, Jemima expanded into food and drink cartons, establishing drop-off bins, volunteer networks, and partnerships that have diverted tens of thousands of items from landfill.

Her dedication is evident not just in results, but in action – she runs the scheme alongside full-time work, processes thousands of cartons weekly, and inspires local businesses, cafés and volunteers to take ownership of waste solutions. Through Grassroots Recycling, Jemima is re-imagining what community-led sustainability can look like in Aotearoa New Zealand: turning household waste into resources, raising awareness, and creating a model of grassroots climate action.

Simon Millar

Otago Ōtākou

“Simon Millar is a sustainability leader working to restore native ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience across Aotearoa New Zealand. As Executive Director of Pure Advantage, he leads Recloaking Papatūānuku, a long-term initiative to reforest 2.2 million hectares in native bush – supporting biodiversity recovery, carbon sequestration, and intergenerational wellbeing.

Under Simon’s leadership, Pure Advantage has shifted from a think-tank into a collaborative movement, bringing together iwi, scientists, landowners, businesses, and communities. The recent release of Think Like a Forest, which shares the kaupapa of Recloaking Papatūānuku, demonstrates his ability to build partnerships and inspire collective action. Simon’s work is grounded in optimism and practical stewardship, showing how economic and ecological health can reinforce one another. His leadership is helping Aotearoa move toward a regenerative future shaped by care for land, people, and generations to come.”

Peri Drysdale

Canterbury Waitaha

“Peri Drysdale is a trailblazer of sustainable business and one of New Zealand’s original advocates for fashion as a force for good. As founder and CEO of Untouched World, she has built a globally recognised brand that weaves environmental ethics into every aspect of design, production, and purpose. Her leadership has shaped an entire industry, setting new benchmarks for circularity, regeneration, and social responsibility.

Over the past year, Peri has advanced partnerships that embed regenerative farming practices in New Zealand’s merino supply chain, directly improving biodiversity, soil health, and water quality. Through the Untouched World Foundation, she continues to empower young New Zealanders with environmental leadership training, nurturing a new generation of changemakers. Always guided by her belief that “every one person can make a difference,” Peri continues to model what’s possible when business and care for the planet are one and the same.”

Russel and Teresa Trow

Southland Murihiku

For more than 40 years, Russel and Teresa Trow have devoted their lives to protecting and restoring native biodiversity on Kundy Island and across the wider Tītī Islands near Rakiura. Long before predator eradication became a national priority, they recognised the threat posed by invasive weka and led the painstaking work to remove them, creating a safe haven for taonga species such as tīeke, matata, and meaweka.

Thanks to their persistence, Kundy Island has become a thriving sanctuary and a vital source for repopulating other islands and even mainland sanctuaries like Orokonui. The Trows have pioneered bird transfer techniques, mentored others, and modelled collaborative conservation that has transformed relationships between local birders, iwi, and government agencies. Their decades of hands-on, voluntary effort have helped bring back endangered species, inspired trust and partnership, and shown the power of community-led conservation to restore ecosystems for generations to come.

Rachel Brown

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), has been one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading voices for sustainable business transformation for more than two decades. Under her leadership, SBN has inspired thousands of organisations to take measurable action on climate change, circular economy practices, and nature regeneration.

In 2025, Rachel oversaw the nationwide launch of the Climate Action Toolbox – a free, practical platform that helps businesses measure and reduce their emissions, minimise waste, and transition to low-carbon operations. This tool has become a benchmark for business-led climate action, empowering enterprises across industries to embed sustainability into everyday decision-making. Through collaboration with government, iwi, and community partners, Rachel continues to show that environmental and economic resilience go hand in hand. A visionary connector and systems thinker, she is helping shape a regenerative, climate-ready future for New Zealand’s business community.

Previous

winners

2025 Genesis New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Finalist Deborah Manning ONZM

Deborah Manning ONZM

2025
Nicola MacDonald MNZM, 2024 New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

Nicola MacDonald MNZM

2024
Camden Howitt 2023 New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

Camden Howitt

2023
Charmaine Bailie, 2022 New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

Charmaine Bailie

2022

Thanks to our generous sponsor whānau
that make the awards possible

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office@nzawards.org.nz
media@nzawards.org.nz

PO Box 1158
Christchurch 8140 New Zealand

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