Sustainability
Sustainability council wants a warrant of fitness for homes
The NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) is calling for the implementation of a performance rating system for homes that would indicate how insulated and heat-efficient a home is.
The NZBCSD says that homebuyers and investors are starting to require sustainable properties that are insulated and energy efficient.
However in New Zealand, there [...]
National budget backs warmer homes scheme
After this week’s Budget, 180,000 homeowners will be eligible for grants to improve insulation and energy efficiency within their homes.
The scheme comes as part of the Government’s major investment in household energy efficiency.
As announced in the budget, the scheme will be given $323.3 million over the next four years.
More than one million homes in [...]
Concerns grow over greenwashing
As the popularity of being seen as a “green” company grows, so too do concerns over who really is and isn’t acting sustainably.
Last year the Commerce Commission released a newsletter warning of the dangers of “greenwashing”, where companies spend more money on appearing green than actually working to lower emissions and become environmentally sustainable.
A [...]
Community gardens get growing in Auckland
Auckland city is experiencing an influx in community gardens as more people look towards sustainability.
Four community gardens are currently established in the Auckland region.
Two are on Waiheke Island and have started in the past year, says the Auckland City Council.
Two more gardens are currently under developed at the Orakei Community Centre and Owairaka Park [...]
Sustainability the way forward, says vegetarian network
Thinking positively about sustainable living is the driving force behind a group of Hare Krishnas which sells vegan and vegetarian food at tertiary campuses around Auckland.
The group has formed a club at the University of Auckland called the “Sustainability Network” and has been supplying vegan food there for two years for a gold coin donation. [...]
Good health an added benefit for rubbish-free couple
A couple who spent a year living virtually rubbish-free found an added benefit to their new lifestyle - better health.
Matthew Luxon and Waveney Warth challenged themselves with producing no more than one bag’s worth of rubbish from February 2008 to 2009 and kept a record of their experiences in a blog.
Their new way of life [...]
Still thinking green in tough times
New Zealand’s construction industry is focusing its efforts toward promoting and educating clients on sustainability, despite the impact of the recession.
Hawkins Construction sustainability manager Craig Watkins says sustainability is becoming the “industry norm” as tenants are demand more environmentally friendly buildings.
“In a recession, sustainable building construction is even more important as it reduces costs [...]
Thumbs up from customers for bamboo takeaway tubs
For the past two weeks Auckland restaurant Revive has been doing its bit for the environment by trialling environmentally sustainable and biodegradable takeaway containers.
The restaurant will assess customer feedback on the new bamboo-based containers before making a call as to whether they will become a permanent takeaway fixture.
Revive owner Jeremy Dixon says the surveys [...]
Plans afoot for ‘low carbon zone’ at Victoria Quarter
An Auckland company has plans to launch a sustainability initiative that could turn Auckland’s Victoria Quarter into a “low carbon zone”.
CarbonGroup says its initiative, which aims to reduce its clients’ carbon footprints, will save businesses money while also tackling the issue of climate change.
“If businesses can increase the efficiency of their fuel and electricity use [...]
Small businesses struggle with sustainability
The development of “green” business practices may be put on the back burner as small businesses struggle to stay afloat financially.
A survey released this week has found the cost of sustainability is one of the biggest barriers for businesses trying to change their practices.
The Ideas Shop Sustainable Business Practices Survey is the first [...]
Te Waha Nui is written and edited by student journalists on the Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Bachelor of Communication Studies courses at AUT University. Views expressed are those of the editorial team and contributors and not of the University