Sustainability

Our conference sustainability commitment

Sustainability partner:

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The Swiss Re Group is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer. Through our work with clients, we fulfil our vision of helping to make the world more resilient. Our Reinsurance Business Unit covers both Property & Casualty and Life & Health. What sets us apart is our financial strength, unrivalled knowledge and expertise, quality underwriting and, most importantly, our partnership approach with clients. We collaborate with our clients to understand their needs, and subsequently develop solutions that capitalise on the quality of our expertise.

Conference initiatives

We are rethinking and challenging traditional approaches to assist with our conference sustainability goals:

  • The decision to host our conference in Hawke's Bay was driven by a desire to support the region, which has faced significant challenges. When we were considering potential locations, Hawke's Bay had recently been hard hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. Since then, the area has continued to experience adverse weather events, further impacting the local community and economy. By bringing our event to Hawke's Bay, we aim to contribute to the region's recovery efforts and stimulate local business, showcasing our commitment to supporting communities in need.
  • Recognising that attendee travel is the primary source of emissions for in-person conferences, we have selected a location that facilitates carpooling for attendees from Auckland and Wellington. Attendees will also have the ability to pre-book a shuttle service from the airport to their hotel/conference venue and return. We have calculated the emissions impact of various travel modes to encourage participants to lower their travel footprint and will be capturing travel data during registration for the conference.
  • Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of the conference, including catering, gifts, digital programme and social activities. We are prioritising environmentally friendly practices by sourcing locally produced food, choosing eco-friendly and reusable materials for gifts, utilising a digital programme (through the conference app) to minimise paper waste, and organising social activities that promote environmental awareness and responsibility.
  • Encouraging our conference partners to reflect positive environmental values and practices during their time at the conference.
    • Swiss Re has previously implemented a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) initiative in other countries, highlighting the variability in individual responses to dietary and lifestyle factors. This proposed initiative aligns with the broader strategy of promoting sustainable health outcomes and fits within Swiss Re’s commitment as the conferences sustainability partner. CGM's provide real-time data on blood glucose levels, helping individuals understand their body's responses to different foods, activities, and stress levels. This initiative not only benefits individual attendees but also contributes to a larger understanding of health trends and risks within professional communities - further information on this initiative will be provided closer to the conference.
    • To promote sustainability, Taylor Fry are generously providing each attendee with a reusable water glass to use throughout the conference and take home. The conference will have no single use cups, crockery and glassware.
  • Be inspired by presentations covering crucial ESG issues, featuring passionate leaders and experts including:
    • Dave Letele - Building Resilience: Dave will share his extraordinary journey of success and the invaluable lessons he learned from embracing failure. As a remarkable individual and passionate community leader from South Auckland, Dave represents the Māori and Pasifika voices, tirelessly advocating for families in need. His unconventional start in life and relentless positivity have enabled him to think of different ways to achieve success and to inspire thousands across New Zealand.
    • Climate risk - panel: An insightful discussion on how climate change impacts New Zealand. Our guest speakers, including Dr. Peter Gibson from NIWA, Dr. Andy Reisinger from the Climate Commission, and James Hughes from Tonkin + Taylor, will explore AI in understanding climate change, transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the impacts on Aotearoa’s population.
    • Diversity and inclusion - panel: Challenge your thinking on diversity and inclusion in this interactive session facilitated by incoming president, Lee-Ann du Toit. Featuring diversity specialists and international actuarial leaders, the discussion will go beyond “box-ticking” to explore authentic inclusivity through various lenses of diversity. Expect fresh perspectives, practical insights, and actionable takeaways to implement in your teams and workplaces.
    • Tom Kay, Forest and Bird - Making room for rivers: Discover the devastating impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary floods, and learn about the economic and environmental toll these events have taken on New Zealand. This presentation will highlight the role of climate change and environmental destruction in increasing flood risks and will advocate for working with natural processes to mitigate future disasters and restore the environment.
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How can you help?

  • Walk between locations whenever possible: All conference hotels are within close proximity to the conference venue, reducing the need for taxis or driving.
  • Follow recycling instructions at the venue and your accommodation: Proper waste sorting helps minimise environmental impact.
  • Bring your own reusable items: Please bring water bottles, reusable coffee cups, and bags for conference materials. Water stations and barista coffee will be available at the venue.
  • Use digital devices for note-taking instead of paper: Reducing paper waste and supporting a more sustainable conference environment.
  • Be mindful of minimising food waste: Avoid overloading your plate during catering breaks to help reduce food waste.
  • Recycle your name badge and lanyard: Hand them back to the Conference Innovators staff at the end of the conference.
  • Choose to carbon offset flights, accommodation, and local travel when booking: Combined air travel is one of the largest contributors to New Zealand DHB carbon emissions.
  • Reduce your emissions travelling between Auckland or Wellington and Napier:
    • Travelling by air or in a sole-occupancy vehicle (other than an EV) results in the highest level of emissions per passenger.
    • Consider carpooling to halve your emissions (or go further and gather a quartet to practice Bohemian Rhapsody on the drive!)
    • Bus travel is about 1/5 the emissions of air travel.
    • If you are planning to drive in an EV, congratulations on minimising emissions per km! Use EV Chargers | NZTA Journey Planner to plan your journey.

How is the Napier War Memorial Centre helping

Waste management

  • Recycling stations will be situated throughout the venue for glass, plastic, paper and aluminum.
  • Crockery is used for all catering service – teacups, cutlery, plates, bowls, glassware
  • Donations are made to local schools / kindergartens of any leftover conference supplies e.g. pads & pens .
  • Packed lunches are provided in compostable containers for the Tuesday afternoon activities.
  • In association with Dish Catering, excess food that is suitable, is donated to organisations including Nourished for Nil and the Women’s Refuge.

Pollution prevention

  • The venue is located within walking distance of the conference accommodation and the CBD. The airport is only a 10min drive – taxis, rideshare & shuttles are all available.
  • Use local suppliers for venue maintenance and event operation including the audio visual production where possible
  • Bike racks available for conference attendees.

Energy efficiency

  • A ‘Switch-off Policy’ in place for all lights, air-conditioning, heating and other electronic devices for all staff to adhere to when conference rooms are not in use.
  • Light sensors are installed in all bathrooms, storage areas and outdoor security lighting.
  • Air-conditioning is scheduled with minimum and maximum temperature limits.

TIAKI PROMISE

Tiaki means to care for people, place and culture.

We encourage all conference attendees to pledge the Tiaki promise.

New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it. The Tiaki promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations and built on five pillars: protect nature, keep New Zealand clean, be prepared, drive carefully and show respect.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua (people of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with their own lives. For Māori, every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. These stories form part of their own identities and help to shape their place in the world.

Tiaki invites us all to look at the world through this indigenous lens. To form a deeper connection with place, and to reflect this in our attitudes and behaviours.

By following the Tiaki promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

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