Chartered accountancy practice, Hayes Knight , is celebrating their success after winning the Emerging Large and Corporate category - for businesses with +20 employees that have actively begun implementing sustainable actions within the last two years. Hayes Knight is the first accountancy practice to win a Sustainable Business Network Award.

Regional manager of the Sustainable Business Network's northern office, David Clendon says businesses such as Kokako Organic are proof that a holistic approach is not only good for the environment, but good for the bottom line as well. They also prove that opportunities do exist for those companies that are open to adapting and innovating, even in these tough economic times."

Both businesses are now finalists in the 2009 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards, to be held in Auckland on Thursday, November 12.

Read more...

Judges described Kokako Organic  as a dynamic company that ticks all of the boxes in terms of social and environmental sustainability coupled with savvy business planning.  Kokako Organic runs a popular Auckland café in Parnell and produces a distinctly Kiwi range of fairtrade organic coffee and quality food products in its Eden Terrace roastery and kitchen.

"We set out to create a business with absolute integrity and passion for sustainability in everything we do," says Kokako's Mike Murphy. "We believe it's really important for businesses such as ours to tell the story of where their food comes from and to work with suppliers to develop more sustainable solutions. Our 100% biodegradable coffee bags made from sustainably sourced wood pulp are a great example of this."

Hayes Knight offers a range of services including business advice and improvement, audit and assurance, tax management and consultancy plus a specialist subsidiary company Sustainable Advantage.

The judging panel was impressed by Hayes Knight's comprehensive strategic thinking and integration of sustainability into all areas of business services. The judges noted that Hayes Knight has a strong understanding of their unique points of difference and potential to drive change, in all four pillars of sustainability.

Hayes Knight Chairman Craig Fisher is clear on the business rationale for sustainability. "To help our clients and ourselves succeed in a world of increasing social, environmental and economic pressures, we recognised that we need to go beyond the numbers and understand the tactical and strategic benefits of sustainability. The accounting industry has a huge amount to offer in the sustainability arena and we see this as a great opportunity. While it is not always easy, we are continually challenging ourselves to think and act differently so we can help our clients succeed."

Nick Jones, Director of subsidiary company Sustainable Advantage has managed the strategy to date. "The senior management was adamant that Hayes Knight had to improve its own sustainability before it could show clients and the wider market that Hayes Knight is living its values and taking a leadership role in this area."

A reminder about Rubbish
Blue-bin collection days and use of public bins

Taking a look along Parnell Road today, it's obvious that a number of people have lost track of when the large blue-top bins are collected. The answer is not this week. Recycled rubbish is collected every second Friday - with a collection next week. Put your bins on the edge of the footpath on Thursday after 5pm. They should be emptied early Friday morning. Please be sure to bring them in as soon as you can to avoid cluttering our footpaths. Bins are not allowed to live on the footpath during the week! (We'll reinstate info about rubbish collection days in this newsletter to help you remember!)

If this keeps happening, Council may adorn our rubbish bins with unattractive stickers like the one pictured. Of course they may also consider billing offending businesses for this method of rubbish disposal. If you're an offender, let's hope this makes you think twice!

Heritage Festival Activities in Parnell
September 19 to October 4

Heritage Walks: Take one of Parnell Trust's popular series of walks about Parnell and other neighbouring suburbs during the Heritage Festival. A walks schedule is available here Bookings are essential: Bookings in advance are essential for all walks, phone 379 2095 x9704. Walks are $5 per adult, children are free.

Parnell Heritage: Renovation and Conservation Workshop
How can we protect our built heritage and yet cater to modern needs? Discuss and debate the practical implications of renovating and conserving heritage and character properties with conservation architects Jeremy Salmond, Adam Wild and Antony Matthews; developer Athol McQuilkan; heritage interiors specialist Stephen Cashmore and other experts in this area. Saturday, 19 September, 1.30 - 5pm Barrycourt Hotel, 10 - 20 Gladstone Road, Parnell. More info

Thanks Parnell businesses
Generous response to Parnell School PTA fundraiser

Parnell School PTA wishes to thank Parnell businesses for their generous contributions towards the annual Parnell District School Fundraiser/Quiz night, to be held October 17.  

"We have been overwhelmed by the response. This is our school's major fundraiser for 2009, with live and silent auctions and sales of goody bags on the night. We just want to say how generous, friendly and willing the Parnell and Newmarket business communities have been to us in donating various items.  It is always a hard job asking for things like this when you are fundraising for a school, but these people have been amazing!  We even walked out of iBike in Parnell with a bike donated for our night!

So on behalf of Parnell District School and the PTA, a big thanks to you people. It is truly great knowing we have such an amazing community to work with! "
- Nicki Smith & Maree Barry on behalf on the Parnell School PTA