Investing in nature is officially good for business
October 6, 2025
Investing in nature are the new buzz words in business. The Department of Conservation was surprised and delighted by how many nature-based activities businesses undertook in Conservation Week in September. They’re not alone. A recent Sustainable Business Network survey found 58% of New Zealand companies reported contributing to nature-related initiatives in 2025, while 70% planned to increase investment in the next two years.
Initiatives included donating money to nature-related activities or campaigns and allowing staff to volunteer in work time to conservation programmes like predator control or native tree plantings.
As more companies are learning, putting nature at the heart of a business strategy is more than just a feel-good response – it can result in tangible returns in economic resilience, reputation, productivity and staff wellbeing.
Numbers reveal how much nature is the backbone of our economy. According to research commissioned by DOC and MBIE in 2016, national parks contribute an estimated $4.2 billion a year to New Zealand’s economy through tourism and related spending, showing how deeply nature underpins both lifestyle and livelihoods. The ecosystem services (clean air to breathe, water to drink and soil to grow food) delivered by the land and rivers in New Zealand are estimated to be worth NZ$10.9b each year.
And protecting that precious resource for future generations is increasingly being recognised by the business community as making good economic sense.
There are multiple ways to make looking after nature a key part of how Kiwis do business – whether it’s rethinking aspects such as packaging and supply chains, mitigating risk or securing long-term sustainability and climate change mitigation, or unlocking new opportunities.
It also comes with a competitive advantage internationally, given that nature is key to New Zealand’s global brand. Around 80% of export markets demand nature-friendly products.
For those businesses who still see nature as irrelevant to their operations or believe engaging will be expensive or lacking in impact, the message from customers is clear. Kiwis expect corporates will make nature-positive commitments, and many are choosing which businesses to support on that basis.
A recent Sustainable Business Council survey found 89% of Kiwis think businesses should take responsibility for their environmental and social impact, while 70% believe businesses should do more.
And despite cost-of-living concerns, Kiwis do prioritise sustainability – 67% believe they can make a difference, 60% are prepared to invest time and money to support companies that do good, while 49% say they have stopped buying products because of their environmental or social impact.
And it’s not just customers – employees want to work for organisations that care about the environment. So, nature-based action strengthens both brand and bottom line and invites stronger customer trust.
Nature-positive projects can take many forms, from restoring wetlands and protecting native habitats, to rethinking packaging and supply chains, or investing in renewable energy.
Many Kiwi businesses are actively seeking investment opportunities to make a difference. The Kōkako Organic Coffee company supports the Rotoehu Ecological Trust to help protect and restore the habitats of the iconic North Island Kōkako.
What started with the company providing coffee to volunteers on workdays with the trust has extended to staff volunteering and donations from coffee sales.
It’s not just small companies. Global consulting leaders Deloitte estimate that transitioning to nature-positive practices across sectors could unlock NZ$17 trillion globally in new business opportunities by 2030 – showing that investment in nature is not only good for the environment but also a powerful driver of growth.
Iconic Kiwi brand Air New Zealand has long partnered with the Department of Conservation to help protect biodiversity alongside five Great Walks, supporting 40,000 hectares of sustained pest control. They also support DOC’s Conservation Dogs Programme, and every year help the department fly hundreds of threatened species and conservation dogs around the country. Over the next few years, the airline is supporting DOC’s Bats Beyond Borders programme advancing research and conservation management of the threatened native long-tailed bat (pekapeka).
Investing in nature has many facets, enhancing cultural and economic resilience. Ngāi Tahu’s important wetland restoration work, for example, supports flood resilience and protection, cultural health, carbon capture, and mahinga kai (food gathering).
Investing in nature is a growth strategy. Businesses are seeing tangible benefits and opportunities.
Taking action to help nature is no longer optional for business, it’s a strategic imperative for success and when everyone works together; individuals, communities, businesses, iwi and government to invest in nature, our economy thrives and so do our people.
Think nature’s not your business? Think again. Visit Always Be Naturing from the Department of Conservation.