Eke Panuku Development Auckland Auckland Council
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Sustainable Action of the Year Award

The Sustainable Action of the Year Award celebrates individuals and businesses demonstrating exceptional commitment to reducing environmental impact, protecting natural ecosystems, and conserving biodiversity for future generations.

About the award

This award recognises boaties and businesses that lead by example in protecting our environment. Winners receive a trophy and a feature article in the Westhaven Marina newsletter.

What it recognises

The award highlights sustainable actions/initiatives that contribute to environmental preservation. Examples include:

  • Beach litter collection initiatives
  • Hybrid conversions to reduce fuel consumption
  • Electric boat innovations
  • Leadership in responsible waste separation and sea discharge management
  • Initiatives protecting eco systems in our region
  • Sustainable alternatives to traditional boating practices

 

2025 winner: The Kai Ika Project – Cans for Kai

We are proud to announce The Kai Ika Project as the winner of Westhaven Marina’s 2025 Sustainable Action of the Year Award, in recognition of their Cans for Kai initiative.

Cans for Kai is a perfect example of these values in action. By installing aluminium can collection points throughout Westhaven Marina, this initiative encourages boaties to recycle responsibly – reducing waste to landfill and helping protect our marine environment.

What makes this initiative exceptional is its circular impact: proceeds from the recycled cans directly support the redistribution of fish heads and frames to Auckland families experiencing food insecurity. This not only reduces waste, but also strengthens food security, community wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.

The Kai Ika team, in conjunction with Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae, collects and distributes the fish heads and frames to appreciative families around Auckland, who value these fish parts. Other parts of the fish are used to make nutritious fish stock and Kai Ika’s famous fish soup. Offal is separated out and used as organic fertiliser in the marae community gardens, where the focus is on regenerative growing practices.

Through Cans for Kai, The Kai Ika Project continues to set a powerful example of how small actions, rooted in care for people and planet, can make a lasting impact.

📸 Check out the photo of the award recipients and our marina manager below – from left to right:

Ingrid Waddell – Phoenix Recycling Group

Gareth Wilson – Westhaven Marina

Matt Welch – The Kai Ika Project / LegaSea

Carlos Hotene – Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae

Kharl Rameka – Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae

Past winners

2023 winner: Skipperi

Since joining the Westhaven community at Z pier in June 2021, Skipperi has transformed Auckland’s boating experience with its subscription-based boat-sharing service. Starting with just one boat, its fleet has expanded to 25 Haines Hunter SF 545 vessels, enabling over 15,000 hours of shared boating.

By reducing the need for individual boat ownership, Skipperi minimises the environmental footprint of manufacturing and maintenance, promoting a more sustainable, resource-efficient boating model.

2022 winner: The Kai Ika Project

The Kai Ika Project provides an innovative solution to repurpose post-filleting fish parts. Since 2016, the initiative has collected previously discarded fish offcuts and distributed them to families and community groups who value these resources.

In 2020, Kai Ika partnered with Eke Panuku Marinas to install a fish filleting station at Westhaven’s Z pier. This service allows fishers to process their catch while ensuring that no part goes to waste. To date, Kai Ika has repurposed over 500,000 kg of fish offcuts that would have otherwise been discarded.

By connecting communities and shifting perceptions around sustainable seafood consumption, Kai Ika is making a profound impact on both the environment and food security.

2021 winner: Harken Fosters

The Westhaven Harken Fosters store was recognised for offering an Ecostore refill station, providing boaters with an easy way to reduce plastic pollution and conserve resources. This initiative not only helps customers save money but also promotes environmentally safe products for use on boats.

As a strong supporter of youth sailing in New Zealand, Harken Fosters is focused on the future of our environment. It is proud to be the first refillery of Ecostore’s boat wash and other cleaning and body care products within the marina.

2020 winner: RNZYS partnering with Sailors for the Sea

In 2020, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) partnered with Sailors for the Sea to implement the Clean Regattas programme, aiming to minimise the environmental impact of sailing events.

Leading up to and during the Harken Youth International Match Racing Cup and the Harken 2020 Youth Match Racing World Championships, organisers took action to reduce waste and pollution. Measures included:

  • Keeping event sites clear of debris
  • Reducing reliance on plastic bottles and cups
  • Implementing effective recycling systems

By prioritising sustainable event management, RNZYS demonstrated its leadership in ocean conservation.