Tasman Environmental Trust’s Core and Restore Blue Carbon project is a community-based initiative with ambitious plans to measure, protect and restore coastal blue carbon habitats across Te Tauihu, top of the South Island. 

The project’s two-year pilot (2021-2023) involved taking sediment samples from Waimea Inlet and Onetahua Farewell Spit as a first step towards understanding the stored levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide in these coastal ecosystems. 

Results offer a first glimpse of the sites’ carbon-sink potential and highlight the important role of coastal wetlands in storing carbon and supporting thriving estuaries.

The project is led by Lauren Walker on behalf of Tasman Environmental Trust, in
collaboration with key partners Cawthron Institute, Beca, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā
Tō and Nelson City Council, and supporters Manawhenua ki Mohua, HealthPost Nature Trust, the Department of Conservation, Live Ocean, Pic’s Peanut Butter, Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, Kidson Investments and Andy MacDonald.

Interview with Lauren Walker, speaking on behalf of Tasman Environmental Trust
Hosted by Jodie Kuntzsch, Moananui

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Moananui is a blue economy cluster whose shared goal is to transform Aotearoa New Zealand into a world-leading ecosystem for developing and commercialising blue economy products, services, technology, research and capability, with a healthy ocean at the heart of this. 

Moananui’s role is to enable businesses, government bodies and other experts to work together with the aim of fast-tracking growth of the ‘blue economy’ – marine activities that generate economic value and contribute positively to social, cultural and ecological wellbeing. The blue economy in Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island, is the largest and fastest growing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Interview with Jodie Kuntzsch, Moananui, hosted by Ali Boswijk, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Nelson-based Cawthron Institute is Aotearoa’s New Zealand largest independent science organisation. It aims to deliver world-class science that helps to protect the environment and support the sustainable development of primary industries nationally and worldwide. 

Established over 100 years ago by philanthropist Thomas Cawthron, Cawthron Institute is focused on marine and freshwater ecosystem research that benefits Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment, society and economy. This includes looking at the growth and safety of the seafood sector, the development of bioactive resources and the health improvements of freshwater ecosystems and oceans. 

The organisation recently partnered with Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund, Port Nelson, OneFortyOne, Friends of Nelson Haven and Tasman Bay, and University of Waikato, with funding from Catalyst Fund, to launch a national seagrass restoration project that aims to fight climate change and improve ecosystem health.

The three-year project will develop a blueprint for seed-based seagrass restoration that can be carried out across Aotearoa New Zealand. The aim is to enable large-scale restoration of seagrass meadows, helping to support biodiversity, improve water quality and sequester carbon.

Interview with Chris Cornelisen, Cawthron Institute, hosted by Jodie Kuntzsch, Moananui

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Mission Insights in a series of video/podcast interviews which showcase the work of businesses in our region on their journey to reduce their carbon emissions.

Episode 03 focusses on the Blue Economy in Te Tauihu. It is hosted by Jodie Kuntzsch of Moananui and Ali Boswijk from the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, and features conversations with special guests:

• Chris Cornelisen, Cawthron Institute
• Jodie Kuntzsch, Moananui
• Lauren Walker, Tasman Environmental Trust’s Core and Restore Blue Carbon project

We thank our guests for sharing their valuable time and insights.

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Little Dove Café, based in the centre of Nelson, is a haven for locals and a growing mecca for foodies visiting the region. Inspired by the kitchens of the eastern Mediterranean and the Levant, the café’s handmade, mostly organic soul food is said by its owners, Andrew Clancey and Marianne Navon, to be cooked with integrity and love. 

This principle extends well beyond the kitchen too. Caring for the environment is an every-day consideration at Little Dove. The team is fully committed to an overriding goal of keeping waste at a minimum by passing on food waste to local chickens, calling on suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging, and reducing energy consumption by limiting cooking elements to a stove top. 

Little Dove’s seasonal, predominantly plant-based, menu is designed to keep prices fair, reduce the risk of supply issues in extreme weather conditions, and challenge customers about fixed choices. A place for both business and pleasure, Little Dove is where difficult and wonderful conversations can combine.

Interview with Andrew Clancey, Little Dove Café, hosted by Gareth Power Gordon, Nelson Regional Development Agency

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Little Beauties is a Nelson-based producer of snacks, garnishes, ingredients and powders made from locally sourced excess fruit. It works closely with growers to ensure no fruit goes unpicked, transforming non-conforming kiwifruit, boysenberries and feijoas into a boutique range of whole fruit treats. 

Wherever possible organic production methods are used and products are packed in Soft Plastic Recyclable packaging. Land health, sustainability and the promotion of unique Aotearoa New Zealand fruits are key values of the business.  

Crafted with care and made to share, Little Beauties challenge traditional methods of food production by bringing joy and delight to the table.

Interview with Rob Simcic, Little Beauties, hosted by Gareth Power Gordon, Nelson Regional Development Agency

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Golden Bay Fruit is a local fruit export business with global stature, grounded in a commitment to business and environmental sustainability.

The company is vertically integrated, working directly with around a dozen major apple, pear and kiwifruit growers based, for generations, in the Tasman region – together packing and exporting produce to over 20 different countries throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 

Cemented with family values, Golden Bay Fruit, which includes orcharding businesses Birdhurst, Heywood and Wood, came together in the early 2000s to create a sustainable business model for future generations. Caring for the environment is part of this philosophy, with sprays, water and energy use, supplier locality and packaging waste ongoing considerations.

Golden Bay Fruit aims to grow premium New Zealand fruit by growing good people, good land and good partnerships.

Interview with Heath Wilkins and Eleni Hogg, Golden Bay Fruit, hosted by Gareth Power Gordon, Nelson Regional Development Agency

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.

Mission Insights in a series of video/podcast interviews which showcase the work of businesses in our region on their journey to reduce their carbon emissions.

Episode 02 focusses on the Food and Fibre sector in Te Tauihu. It is hosted by Gareth Power Gordon from Nelson Regional Development Agency and features conversations with special guests:

• Heath Wilkins and Eleni Hogg from Golden Bay Fruit
• Rob Simcic from Little Beauties
• Andrew Clancey from Little Dove café

We thank our guests for sharing their valuable time and insights.

______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to the Nelson Regional Development Agency for their support for Mission Insights.