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Landscape & Habitat

This was a highly competitive category this year, with entrants working on a diverse range of projects—from dairy farms collaborating to improve water quality to transforming willow-dominated wetlands, protecting long-tailed bats at Pelorus Bridge, community efforts to regenerate native forests along the Taylor River, and restoring Picton’s forest ecosystems.

Marine 

This year, we received three inspiring entries in this category. Promoting sustainability through education, waste reduction and eco-friendly boating practices in the Marlborough Sounds, studying endangered species' ecology to support sustainable aquaculture and conservation, and engaging local students in coastal clean-up efforts while gathering valuable data for environmental education and policy.

Farming

This year, the Trust received four strong entries in this category, representing a diverse range of farming practices—deer farming, dairy operations, and sheep & beef properties—all focused-on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and finding innovative solutions to the unique environmental challenges of farming in Marlborough.

Forestry

The three entries in this category are impressive - one focussing on low-impact logging, native planting to enhance water quality and wildlife. Another working to restore a Marlborough Sounds wetland by controlling invasive species and protecting endangered wildlife. And the third involves restoration projects in Te Tau Ihu, tackling sediment levels, vegetation, and biodiversity impacts through collaboration with local experts and landowners.

Community Innovation 

This year’s entries included projects from four primary schools, which is truly inspiring. It’s wonderful to see our tamariki actively engaged in protecting and improving their environment. From stream studies and riparian planting to community involvement in projects like Litter Intelligence, Zero Waste, and the Waitohi Picton Community Garden, these students are making a real difference.

Wine

This year’s entrants, Future Post and Rose Family Estate, both emphasize sustainability through innovation. Future Post recycles plastic into durable products like fence posts, while Rose Family Estate has made significant strides in reducing liquid waste and diverting landfill waste to improve their vineyard’s environmental footprint.

Business Innovation

This year’s entrants, including Climate Action Marlborough, Hortus, Kinzett Tomatoes with Matt Gale Contracting, and Marina Cove Village, all focus on sustainability through diverse and innovative solutions—from reducing food waste to creating renewable energy and fostering community engagement in waste reduction.

Electrfication & Energy Efficiency 

We introduced the Electrification and Energy Efficiency category last year to recognise the growth of energy-efficient technologies and the use of electricity to replace fossil fuels.

 

This year’s entries were impressively diverse—from electric sprayers that reduce emissions in agriculture to energy-efficient accommodations and hybrid trucks cutting fuel use. Each one is driving significant environmental and operational improvements.

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