Media release

26 September 2013

Sustainable 60 award win for Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo was proud to take home a prize at the 2013 Sustainable 60 Awards in Auckland last night, coming out on top in the Marketplace category.

This year’s awards, which were presented by Fairfax Media, the Sustainable Business Council and Business New Zealand, attracted close to 60 entries from 25 companies.

Wellington Zoo was up against a strong field in the Marketplace category – including H & B Hair, Art & Beauty, La Nuova Apparelmaster, Soar Printing and Vodafone New Zealand.

The category allows businesses the opportunity to showcase how sustainable business practices, or elements of it, have provided the business with marketplace advantage or addressed a strategic opportunity, risk or marketplace issue. Marketplace incorporates all business operations from sourcing of materials through to the delivery of services or a products disposal.

Karen Fifield, Wellington Zoo Chief Executive, said it’s an honour to win a category in these prestigious awards.

“The Sustainable 60 Awards celebrate and reward innovation that supports sustainable business practice in New Zealand, and we are proud to be in such fantastic company,” said Ms Fifield.

“Wellington Zoo exists to encourage people to find their personal connection with nature. We have a number of marketplace initiatives ranging from sustainable procurement and educating visitors in how they can be sustainable, and in May this year we became the first zoo in the world to achieve carboNZero certification.”

“Escapehere.com also picked Wellington Zoo as number one on their top ten list of the best and most fascinating zoos in the world, praising us for our dedication to quality, sustainable exhibits for our animals.”

"Wellington Zoo is a world class zoo with a bright future, and this award adds to the list of fantastic achievements for us with sustainability initiatives. “

About Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo is New Zealand's first Zoo, established in 1906, and is Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation. Home to over 500 native and exotic animals, Wellington Zoo became a charitable trust in 2003.

Wellington Zoo became the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo in May 2013.

Wellington Zoo is an accredited member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

ENDS

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