Sustainable Business Awards commendation for Brainerds
The founders behind The Headwaters Eco Lodge in Glenorchy, Debbi and Paul Brainerd, have been named among the most transformative leaders in sustainable business.
The Brainerds were awarded a commendation in the Transformational Leadership category of the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards, recognised among a handful of the country’s best.
Mike Casey, of Rewiring Aotearoa, won the overall award, for his sustainable farming cherry orchard in Cromwell.
After falling in love with Glenorchy over 20 years ago and building a home there, the Brainerds bought a run-down campground and general store with the idea of giving it some TLC. After that, they set about creating a world-class Living Building Challenge Eco Lodge.
The lodge generates more energy than it consumes and uses 50% less water than comparable accommodation facilities. Since opening in 2018, it’s the first-ever facility designed and certified to Living Building Challenge (LBC) standards, which are the most rigorous green building standards in the world.
Sustainable Business Network Founder and CEO Rachel Brown praised the calibre of entries, winners, commendations and finalists in the awards.
“These trailblazers with their innovative business models and cutting-edge technologies are key to building a fairer, more sustainable future,” she says.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge
Debbi Brainerd described The Headwaters Eco Lodge and its associated businesses as a “labour of love” for herself and Paul.
“We feel fortunate to have helped create a business that provides jobs for locals in the most beautiful place in the world,” she said. “Some of our employees were commuting two hours a day for jobs in Queenstown.”
Debbi says award winner Mike Casey and his wife Rebecca were “extraordinary people” and very deserving of this award.
“They are showing that sustainable farming with their cherry orchard in Cromwell is possible and even profitable, and they are in this for all the right reasons.
“Our hope is that others are inspired to see that their creativity can mature into a sustainable business that not only benefits its local communities but has a connection to the wider world.”
The sustainability ethos behind the lodge was also recognised at the New Zealand Tourism Awards last month in which it was a finalist in the KiwiRail Tourism Environment Award.
