INTOUCH : Reporting success for New Zealand companies

For the fifth consecutive year Auckland’s WaterCare Services has triumphed at the transTasman Sustainable Reporting Awards winning the ‘Best Report in the Water Sector’ in recognition of continual leadership in reporting among its peers.
Vodafone New Zealand was also recognised, winning the ‘Best Local Report from Global Organisation’ in recognition of the company’s detailed response to local stakeholder issues.
The awards recognise excellence in sustainability reporting incorporating environmental and social impacts. Companies are judged based on the transparency in their reporting and how well they communicate their sustainability performance. Reports must achieve high level of credibility and provide evidence of the integration of sustainability issues within the business processes and strategy of their organisation.
The overall winner of the ‘Best Sustainability Report’ was BHP Billiton and there was surprise in the financial services category with ANZ taking out the top prize amid fierce competition.
Lyn Mayes of the NZBCSD, one of the eight judges, says it is refreshing to see New Zealand organisations once again receiving one of the top awards.
“This year the judges agreed that in addition to an overall winner, we should judge winners of specific sectors to encourage peer leadership. Each year participants in the awards want to know who they should be looking to for leadership in their own industry and I believe that announcing best report winners for categories will provide new impetus to sustainability report writing.”
Mayes says that she is particularly pleased to see New Zealand companies like Vodafone recognised for reporting on local issues with local report:
“It is good to see organisations like Vodafone reporting back to its New Zealand customers and stakeholders. I am also pleased that organisations like Fuji Xerox have been commended for their clear focus on supply chain and product stewardship,” Mayes said.
“While sustainability reporting in Australia and New Zealand is increasing, only 35 percent of Australia’s Top 100 conduct sustainability reporting compared to 76 percent of the Top 100 in the UK.”
She says New Zealand would be similar to Australia in this respect and that many New Zealand businesses, that are owned by global organisation or are an Australian subsidiary, report only as part of an overall report.