Something to crow about

A Whakatane business with a determination to give back to its community has been named a finalist in this year's Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network Awards.

But Cheeky Rooster Communications & PR, one of two finalists for the Trailblazer Small Business Award, had to be convinced to enter according to communications and business manager Sarah van der Boom.

"We're a little business and pretty young and we didn't really consider we would be good enough to enter," she said. "[Organisers] convinced us we were doing something special and we should go for it."

Mrs van der Boom, who started the business with her husband, Mike, just over three years ago, said sustainability and the environment were just as important to the company as its financial bottom line.

"From the day we started the business we said we wanted sustainable business values."

She said Cheeky Rooster was a major supporter of Cycle Action Whakatane and the Whakatane Kiwi Trust and about 10 per cent of the company's turnover was gifted as time to those and other community projects.

She said the company had made a decision to work only with clients that fitted within its sustainability values, so this recognition was a valuable affirmation of that policy.

Kawerau's SCA Hygiene - last year's overall winner - is a finalist again this year in the Trailblazer Large/Corporate Business Award. The paper product and tissue manufacturer has invested a huge amount of time and resources into sustainability and is keen to go all the way and claim a national award this year.

The Whakatane District Council and SCION will battle for the Government Organisation, Social Enterprise or Not for Profit Award.

Kim McGrouther, project leader for corporate sustainability said SCION was delighted to be a finalist.

"Our initiatives in waste reduction, community connections and staff welfare help to cement our continued research into more sustainable products and processes for industry and the community."

Whakatane District Council communications adviser Ross Boreham said the council was honoured to be considered a worthy finalist.

"We have a strong commitment to sustainability, it's one of the core values underlying our Long Term Plan and a big part of our current and future activities."

The awards recognise the efforts of businesses and organisations that have demonstrated value across environmental, social and economic indicators.

Sustainable Business Network Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional manager Jenny Milson said all finalists were implementing sustainable practices into their organisations.

"This is contributing to the organisations' success in terms of creating financial resilience, engaging with communities and minimising environmental impacts," she said.

The winners will be announced at a cocktail party and awards evening at Rotorua's Blue Baths on September 28. Tickets are still available - contact jenny@sustainable.jlorg.nz

Bay of Plenty winners will go on to contest national awards on November 22 in Auckland.

2012 Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network Awards Finalists:

Trailblazer Small Business Award: Agrissentials (Tauranga), Cheeky Rooster Communications & PR (Whakatane), Isthmus (Tauranga).

Trailblazer Medium Business Award: Haden Mechanical (Tauranga), Powersmart Solar (Tauranga), Sharp Tudhope (Tauranga).

Emerging Large/Corporate Business Award: Road Science (Tauranga), Trevelyans (Te Puke).

Trailblazer Large/Corporate Business Award: Bayfair AMP Capital (Tauranga), SCA Hygiene (Kawerau).

Trailblazer Government Organisation, Social Enterprise or Not for Profit: SCION (Rotorua), Whakatane District Council (Whakatane).