Environment awards open for new entries

The search is on for Marlborough’s next environmental success stories after the launch of the 2026/27 Port Marlborough Marlborough Environment Awards.

The awards, launched in Blenheim on Thursday, celebrate people, businesses, community groups and organisations making a positive contribution to the region’s environment.

Marlborough Environment Awards Trust chair Jo Grigg highlighted the wide range of projects recognised through the awards programme. Previous winners have ranged from major recycling businesses such as Futurepost, which has recycled 10,768 tonnes of New Zealand plastic since it began, to community-led initiatives including Wild Waikawa, winner of the Landscape and Habitat Award in the 2024/25 competition.

Trust coordinator Julia Brown says environmental leadership can take many forms.

“Environmental leadership doesn’t look the same for everyone. It can be a farmer changing the way they manage their land, a business reducing its energy use, a community group restoring habitat, or someone finding a new way to tackle an environmental challenge.

“The awards give us a chance to shine a light on that work, share the ideas and experiences behind it, and hopefully inspire others.”

Award categories include farming, viticulture and wine, marine, community innovation, landscape and habitat, forestry, business innovation, and electrification and energy efficiency.

Guests at the launch also heard from Marlborough Sounds adventure racer Sophie Hart, who this year won the gruelling Yukon 1000 endurance race alongside Nathan Fa’avae for the second time.

The pair completed the 1,600km race from Canada to Alaska in a record time of five days, 11 hours and three minutes. Sophie spoke about the role Marlborough’s natural environment plays in her training and the importance of community action to protect and enhance it.

Discussion also turned to projects such as the Whale Trail, which is expected to boost adventure tourism across the region.

The awards build on a successful 2024/25 programme, which attracted 31 entries and drew more than 250 people to the awards evening. Field days held at winning projects also gave the public the opportunity to see environmental initiatives firsthand and learn from those behind them.

Entries close on Saturday, 31 October 2026, via www.mea-nz.com.