We celebrated sustainable innovation at our inaugural Smart Aotearoa Sustainable Development Awards last night.

The event was organised by a group of people from diverse backgrounds including representatives from OPAIC and Future Skills Academy.

The aim of the initiative was to encourage innovative ideas and projects that can contribute to building a smarter Aotearoa while prioritising the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals.

People from a range of sectors submitted projects, research, and ideas for the competitions.

Those who had their work shortlisted had the opportunity to present them at last night’s event at GridAKL in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter and online.  

Presentations covered a broad range of topics from health and wellbeing, to beekeeping, to education and employment pathways for Pacifica people. Presentations were assessed by a panel of judges.

OPAIC’s Bruno Balducci took out the Research and Ideas category of the awards for his work with Dani Mao on tracking learner development in sustainability.

Dr Terri-Anne Berry won the Sustainability Development Goals category for her work around protecting communities from asbestos exposure.

The event brought people from a wide range of sectors together to recognise and celebrate evidence-based smart sustainable developments happening all across Aotearoa New Zealand.