Gen Less, an initiative from the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA), includes bringing together leading New Zealand companies actively reducing their energy use.
The campaign aims to inspire collective action by New Zealanders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all forms of energy use.
Miraka, owned by a group of Maori trusts, produces 300 million litres of premium milk products a year with milk from 100 farms in the central North Island.
The company’s approach to sustainability is comprehensive. All Miraka farms have tailored environment management plans, greenhouse gas emissions reporting, world-leading nitrogen and effluent management systems and all farm waterways are fenced.
The factory is powered by renewable geothermal energy and the organic waste is processed through an industrial worm farm.
But the company is not resting on its laurels.
“At Miraka we’re all about building a business where our values are reflected in the actions we take every day,” chief executive Richard Wyeth says.
“We already have one of the lowest dairy carbon footprints in the world but are constantly looking for opportunities to do more.
“Becoming part of Gen Less was an easy decision for us to make,” he said.
“It’s great to have innovative companies like Miraka partnering with us,” EECA chief executive Andrew Caseley says.
“Their geothermally-powered dairy processing plant is a superb example of harnessing renewable energy sources in manufacturing. By sharing the story of companies like Miraka we hope to inspire others to make positive changes.”
Miraka’s kaitiaki and environmental leadership general manager Murray Hemi says “Miraka became part of Gen Less to join a conversation.
“We know there are great people and organisations out there all grappling with this same monumental environmental challenge.
“We’ve taken some important steps but there is always more we can do. We are all in this together – he waka eke noa.”
