Cooperative Business New Zealand hands out its annual awards for companies CSR Strategy


Cooperative Business New Zealand hands out its annual awards for companies CSR Strategy

The Cooperative Business New Zealand Annual Awards were presented at a ceremony held at the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral. One of the awards, given to a member business that has made a significant and positive impact within the cooperative community, recognized the Foodstuffs Cooperatives. These two cooperative business entities, which collaborate on key initiatives, were honored for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy among other achievements.

Over the year, multiple initiatives were implemented to enact the CSR strategy, including signing up for the Climate Leaders Coalition and the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration. With the arrival of COVID-19, Foodstuffs introduced new initiatives through their CSR strategy, such as providing an additional 10% allowance for waged team members throughout lockdown and establishing a fund that distributed more than $1.3 million to 55 social organizations to help New Zealanders facing tough times.

Another award, presented to an individual who has demonstrated significant cooperative leadership, as well as vision and courage for the cooperative model, was given to Wealthpoint CEO Simon Manning. He was recognized for leading the successful mutualization of Wealthpoint, which involved transitioning more than 50 independently owned and operated businesses into one cooperative. The new Wealthpoint cooperative covers life, health, general insurance, retail investments, KiwiSaver, and mortgages, making it one of the most diverse financial services distribution groups in New Zealand.