Learn & Community
NZ Ethical Employers
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New Zealand Ethical Employers is founded on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). NZEE helps businesses operate ethically by providing education, support, and systems that ensure they commit to ongoing improvement and uphold human rights. All members agree to follow a Human Rights Policy & Workplace Standards and address any human rights issues they may cause or contribute to.
NZEE also connects key stakeholders to share best practices and build supply chains that prioritize workers' rights and resilience. Their goal is to enhance employment quality, raise standards, and ensure fair competition that respects workers' rights.
By joining NZEE and embracing these principles, businesses contribute to a work environment that protects and advances the well-being of all employees.
Learn more about becoming an NZEE member on their website.
Living Wage NZ
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The Living Wage emerged as a response to growing poverty and inequality that continues to hold back so many Kiwi workers, their families and our economy.
The Living Wage Movement is not aligned to any political party but seeks to influence those who have the power to change the lives of workers and their families. The focus of attention is where incomes are funded through public money, and large employers who can afford to pay a Living Wage.
Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand brings together community/secular, union and faith-based groups to campaign for a Living Wage.
They uphold four key principles, including that the Living Wage Movement is:
Non-party political
Built locally through local relationships and local issues
Independent of government in terms of funding and association
Comprised of three streams of the membership: secular/community, union, faith-based groups.
They also have an accreditation system available for employers, who meet the criteria to become a Living Wage Employer. This is a trademark and cannot be used unless a licence has been signed committing the business to pay no less than the Living Wage to directly employed and contracted workers, delivering services on a regular and ongoing basis.
Sustainable Business Network
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Founded in 2002, their role is to transform leading ideas on sustainable business into action in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Sustainable Business Network provides a wide range of support for businesses looking to be more sustainable. But ultimately they work to accelerate the transition to an equitable and sustainable future.
They aim to change the systems that make the dominant economic system so extractive, unfair and unsustainable.
Benefits of joining their network includes access to exclusive free events and networking, discounts on courses and their Advisory service. You also get a vote at their AGM and your logo will be featured on their website, plus a free listing on the Circular Economy Directory (if eligible).
Mindful Fashion
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At the heart of what they do is a commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future; one where business, nature and people all thrive.
They support long term sustainable success for members and the wider clothing and textiles industry in New Zealand through our core objectives to:
Voice - for a sustainable, thriving industry through strategic advocacy and communications.
Drive - positive change, by inspiring, educating and catalysing action.
Shape - work with industry to shape the future by facilitating industry innovation and collaborative impact.
Membership is open to all members of New Zealand’s clothing and textile community whose values and actions align with the Mindful Fashion mission and charter. Members include designers, textile suppliers, makers and manufacturers, cutters, embroiderers, trim suppliers and more.
Fair Trade Association
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Their members support the global Fair Trade Movement seeking to challenge conventional trade by placing fairness in prices and wages, improved market access, and poverty alleviation at the core of international trade practices, both in our region and beyond.
They engage with and support local efforts to promote our growing network of endorsed Fair Trade Communities: councils, universities, workplaces, faith groups and schools who have demonstrated their commitment to Fair Trade.
They also recognise and promote products showing the Fairtrade Mark (managed by Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand), are network members of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) global founders of the 10 Fair Trade Principles and manage our own endorsement system, Fair Traders of Australia (based on the 10 Principles of Fair Trade). The Fair Trade Association recognises the International Fair Trade Charter.
Business, but Better
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After growing her award-winning brand, Ethique for the past ten years, Brianne West has decided to share her knowledge by helping entrepreneurs grow a business that is not only financially sustainable, but also changes the world and solves problems.
Business but Better offers a full resource hub with lesson updates for free and access to group mentoring, and direct access to Brianne for a fee of $350/month.
They also have a free community group on Facebook that you can learn from and two podcasts, Now, That's What I Call Business and Now That’s What I Call Green.
World Fair Trade Organisation
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This movement brings together small-scale producers, artisans, and farmers from around the world to connect them with consumers who care about sustainability and ethical sourcing. They are democratically run by a community of over 1,000 social enterprises and 1,500 shops. To date, they have positively impacted more than 900,000 livelihoods.
The WFTO acknowledge fair trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.” They are guided by The 10 Principles of Fair Trade, which specify standards that Fair Trade Enterprises must adhere to maintain their WFTO membership.
The WFTO has also developed the first international fair trade system that assesses the entirety of a business, not just a specific product or ingredient. The WFTO Guarantee System is a rigorous process that verifies the enterprise’s structure, business model, operations and supply chains to ensure their principles are upheld.
By choosing products that are made with respect for people and the planet, you are making a positive impact on the world. Spot a number of brands endorsed by WFTO on our directory and join us in supporting their mission to promote fair and just trade practices for all.
Apps & Tools
CoGo
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CoGo’s carbon tracking API and consumer App enables users and businesses worldwide to measure, reduce and compensate for their impact on people and the planet. The API enables banks and other corporations to integrate carbon and sustainability data into their customer experiences - for example by providing bank customers their carbon footprint within the bank's own mobile app.
Their technology supports behaviour change through its world-leading ‘ethical nudge framework’ and offers users the ability to offset the balance of their impact via carbon credits.
CoGo’s pioneering technology and data helps people better understand the effects of their daily decisions and helps them take climate action.
“We support and encourage people on their journey to becoming more conscious consumers. We believe in a new ‘impact economy’ where all businesses are a force for good.”
Ethical Voice
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Today, auditors, retailers, industry bodies, government agencies, NGOs, civil societies, unions and consumers are interested more than ever in sound social and ethical practice.
The Ethical VOICE solution helps you achieve true transparency throughout your supply chains, identify bad employers and reward those that look after the wellbeing of all their workers.
Real-time feedback means employers can identify issues to improve productivity and wellbeing of their staff quickly. Information can be aggregated and used to identify exploitation risks across an entire sector.
Do Good Jobs
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Dogoodjobs.co.nz links passionate, talented, “do-gooders” with job vacancies at organisations working to create social and environmental change.
Are you sick of listing expensive job adverts on the big job boards, only to be inundated with unsuitable applicants who aren't interested in what your organisation does and its VALUES?
When you list your vacancies on Do Good Jobs you quickly and easily reach a quality audience of skilled and purpose-led candidates, for a fraction of the price of other big job boards.
Do Good Jobs helps thousands of Kiwi not-for-profits, social enterprises, and the public sector to find great staff and volunteers – people who get WHAT you do and WHY. List your next vacancy on Do Good Jobs – New Zealand's #1 ethical job board – and find the right people to help your organisation thrive!
Development
The Akina Foundation
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Their dedicated team includes specialists in impact, community, enterprise, procurement and investment.
They offer a unique range of tailored consulting and business development services. This means helping businesses, government agencies, and social and community enterprises uncover the best ways to tackle challenges like poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change.
Working to transform the economy by putting positive social and environmental impact at the heart of how Aotearoa New Zealand does business, they apply a value-driven approach to everything they do.
Their vision is for a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive New Zealand.
Go Well Consulting
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Their dedicated team includes specialists in impact, community, enterprise, procurement and investment.
They offer a unique range of tailored consulting and business development services. This means helping businesses, government agencies, and social and community enterprises uncover the best ways to tackle challenges like poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change.
Working to transform the economy by putting positive social and environmental impact at the heart of how Aotearoa New Zealand does business, they apply a value-driven approach to everything they do.
Their vision is for a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive New Zealand.
Grow Good
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Tim specialises in working with individuals, businesses and organisations to help them tap into their purpose-fuelled potential, assisting them in the transition to becoming a force for good, hence the name: Grow Good.
His purpose-focused consulting, coaching and training programmes are specially designed for those that want to use their skills to achieve meaningful goals in life and work.
Tim’s business is one of New Zealand's founding B Corps. Tim is the B Corp Ambassador for NZ, making Tim the person to contact if you are interested in becoming B Corp certified, something he is passionate about.
Recently Tim has been co-teaching the University of Canterbury MBA Programme "Creating Impact-led Enterprises".
Podcasts & Voices
Now, That’s What I Call Business
Join Ethique founder Brianne West in building a new ethical business, shaking up the beverage industry.
Our Partner Brands
Our Partner Brands are a fantastic source of knowledge and experience, as they have learned from their partners and grown their businesses, overcoming obstacles along the way. Listen to Erica and Deborah of Re-Create, and Dr Robbie of The Lucy Foundation speaking at the 2019 Fairfield Conference.
Articles
Spilling The B On What It Means To Be A B Corp
Interesting in certifying as a B Corp? You might have spotted their signature B logo on one of your favourite ethical brands. But what does it mean to be a certified B Corporation? And what makes them stand out from other sustainable certifications?
We Are The Economy, And We Can Change It
In this guest blog, Amanda Janoo argues that we all have the power to reshape the way our economy works. The economy isn't just about big corporations and politicians, but about us, how we live, and what we value.