Ensuring sustainability on Te Ahu a Turanga
Waka Kotahi is committed to delivering good environmental and social outcomes as part of the design, construction and operation of our infrastructure projects. To help achieve these outcomes we are using the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme.
Using the scheme enables Waka Kotahi to drive how environmental, social and economic outcomes are incorporated into public infrastructure. It also gives us a way to recognise high levels of achievement in sustainability, promotes high standards of performance and encourages advancement within the industry.
ISCA is a comprehensive sustainability system and it takes commitment from our entire Te Ahu a Turanga team to perform well. Our vision to re-connect people and places past, present and future is underpinned by a philosophy of sustainability. This is further supported by the principles we use to guide our direction – to 'Tread Lightly' and have 'Enduring Community Outcomes'. For additional guidance and direction, we refer to our supporting principles of 'Culture of care', 'Best for project' and to 'Reflect the Treaty through genuine Iwi partnerships'.
These principles closely reflect the broader outcomes the Government is seeking to achieve through the activities it procures and delivers, including Te Ahu A Turanga. Specifically, the outcome areas of increased access for New Zealand businesses, construction skills and training, and reduced carbon emissions and waste. We expect to contribute to the reporting and tracking of these outcomes.
Broader outcomes from government procurement (NZ Government procurement website)(external link)
Our values are designed to help us stay consistent with our principles so we can achieve such ambitious sustainability outcomes. Our values are summarised below. They provide a toolbox for the team when navigating challenges and the many complex decisions and trade-offs they face day to day.
Alongside the robust foundation provided by our values, our Sustainability Statement of Intent contributes to setting a public commitment to sustainable and restorative outcomes. Our focus so far has been the best possible social and ecological outcomes in partnership with tangata whenua as we design the highway. As we move into the construction phase of the project our focus extends to include the measurement and reduction of the energy, fuel, material and waste we use and generate. We’re working across our project teams, suppliers and sub-contractors to deliver these sustainability improvements and are excited about progressing them further.
Sustainability Statement of Intent [PDF, 274 KB]
Te Ahu a Turanga values
- Wairuatanga - Recognising that the spiritual is critical to personal and collective wellbeing and respecting the diverse cultures and beliefs.
- Kotahitanga - Developing and maintaining a unity of purpose and direction towards a shared vision for Te Ahu a Turanga.
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi – As the foundation of the Project Partnership for the project’s key shared behaviours, including:
- Rangatitiratanga – Professionalism
- Ūkaipotanga – Looking after each other
- Pukengatanga – Respecting others
- Manaakitanga - Acknowledging each other’s mana, different perspectives and ways of working.
- Tino Rangatiratanga – Respecting obligations and accountabilities outside of the immediate project.
- Kaitiakitanga - Placing the environment and sustainability at the heart of our work, and recognising our role as stewards for future generations.
- Whanaungatanga – Fostering connection and relationship through shared experiences and working together to provide people with a sense of belonging.
- Whakapapa – The connection of all things not only people, for example the Whakapapa or relationships of the Manawatū River and the many streams and groundwater systems that contribute to it.
