Biz Bell
New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year
Finalist
Genesis
New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year
Te Toa Taiao o te Tau
Biz Bell
As Senior Ecologist and Director at Wildlife Management International Limited (WMIL), Elizabeth (Biz) Bell is a leading force in ecological restoration and predator eradication. With years of experience delivering significant biodiversity gains in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally, Biz is an expert at island restoration. Her mahi has driven the success of 30 island eradications, and 20 feasibility studies across regions like the Pacific, Caribbean, and Europe. A seabird specialist, Biz has undertaken one of Aotearoa’s longest running seabird research projects – monitoring tākoketai/black petrels on Aotea/Great Barrier Island since 1995.
In addition, her ongoing work with Predator Free and Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust has further advanced predator control and precious seabird conservation. Beyond her own work, Biz regularly shares her knowledge with community conservation groups to ensure volunteers make as big a difference as possible – and recently hosted participants on The Predator Free Apprentice Programme, helping to nurture the next generation of conservation heroes.
In addition, her ongoing work with Predator Free and Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust has further advanced predator control and precious seabird conservation. Beyond her own work, Biz regularly shares her knowledge with community conservation groups to ensure volunteers make as big a difference as possible – and recently hosted participants on The Predator Free Apprentice Programme, helping to nurture the next generation of conservation heroes.
The people working towards a sustainable and thriving future for Aotearoa. Making remarkable contributions to the wellbeing of our planet. They are actively engaged in initiatives that protect, restore, and regenerate the environment of Aotearoa, and beyond.
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 insecurity, 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 2025 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?
2025
Finalists
