[Press release] SB Aotearoa 2025
New Zealand joins the globally renowned Sustainable Brands movement:
Sustainable Brands Aotearoa debuts in Rotorua on 13-14 May 2025 to explore “The Value of Purpose”
For the first time, the globally renowned Sustainable Brands conference is coming to Aotearoa.
On 13–14 May 2025, Rotorua will host a two-day immersive event designed to spotlight the power of purpose in business and unlock a new era of regenerative leadership.
Meet +30 global and local speakers from companies proving “The Value of Purpose”: B Lab, Incrediballs, Simplicity, Mutu, Valutus, Tax Traders, Comvita, BLUNT, IKEA, Kiwibank, Planet Price, Sustainable Business Network, Dole, VF Corporation, Silver Fern Farms, ecostore, Miraka, Zespri International, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Beca, Eco Choice Aotearoa, Indevin Group, Wellbeing Economy Alliance, Simpson Grierson, Proxima Consulting, Mainstream Green, KPMG, Wai Ariki, Rotorua Sustainable Charter.
What is Sustainable Brands, and why does it matter now more than ever?
For over 17 years, Sustainable Brands (SB) has been at the forefront of the global movement reshaping commerce through purpose-driven innovation, empowering global brands and leaders to rethink success in a world of finite resources, climate urgency, and rising expectations. Founded as a Public Benefit Corporation in 2006, SB has grown into a worldwide community of leaders and change makers, hosting major annual conferences in the United States, Japan, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, and Uruguay.
Now, for the first time, Sustainable Brands is uniting New Zealanders with its global community.
This May 13–14, at Rydges Hotel in Rotorua, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa will debut its inaugural event, bringing together global and local voices for a dynamic two-day experience designed to ignite action, collaboration, and bold ideas for business transformation.
Why “The Value of Purpose”?
The event sets out to explore the tools, mindsets, case studies, and frameworks that turn purpose into impact and values into tangible business value.
The theme for this first edition, ”The Value of Purpose” is a timely call to action for business leaders. In a world marked by economic strain, climate urgency, social unrest and rising demands for transparency, purpose is no longer a soft ideal; it’s a strategic imperative.
The conference will explore some critical questions brands are facing today:
How do we measure and communicate the true value of purpose?
How do we shift from purpose as a buzzword to purpose as a measurable proof of business success?
How do we build organizations where values aren’t just stated, but embedded?
How do we show the ROI of purpose, not just as a principle, but as a performance driver?
Why is this an incredible opportunity for New Zealand (and why now)?
New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead the global conversation on purpose. With its strong environmental values, progressive business mindset, and deep connection to people and place, Aotearoa has the potential to become a hub for regenerative business practices.
This is a rare opportunity for Kiwi businesses to become part of a global ecosystem. With the Sustainable Brands community spanning five continents, New Zealand companies now have a platform to amplify their leadership, connect with international partners, and learn from pioneers who are already proving the value of purpose—from the boardroom to the balance sheet.
“Bringing Sustainable Brands to Aotearoa has been a long-held dream. It’s time to put our country on the map as a hub of regenerative business and bold, values-led leadership. Sustainable Brands Aotearoa is a platform for New Zealand companies to open new global doors and share their stories with the world. This isn’t just a conference. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter for business: the start of a community, a movement, and a chance to turn our good intentions into meaningful, measurable impact.” (Lewis Patterson, Country Director, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa)
In October 2025, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa will lead a delegation to San Diego to host a booth at SB’s flagship global event, and your business could be on board. Michael Dupee, CEO of Sustainable Brands Global (USA), will be a virtual speaker at The Value of Purpose to share more about how Kiwi companies can engage with this international network. The conference team is also looking for an additional advisor with expertise in weaving Aotearoa’s unique cultural aspects into the future editions of the event.
Who are the speakers and what is the programme?
At the heart of the event is a clear belief: business can be a force for good, and the brands that lead with values will be the ones that thrive. The speaker line-up includes over 30 inspiring international and local voices from across sectors: published authors, finance, marketing, sustainability, communications, leadership and more.
The full event programme can be viewed here. You’ll hear inspiring speeches from thought leaders who are walking the talk, gain practical tools, fresh energy, and a network of “courageous optimists:
Speakers include:
Brianne West – Keynote Speaker; Social Entrepreneur & Environmentalist; Biochemist, Founder & CEO, Incrediballs; NZ EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Ellen Joan Ford – Author, #WorkSchoolHours; Military Veteran; TEDx Speaker
Shamubeel Eaqub – Author; Media Commentator; Chief Economist, Simplicity
Daniel Aronson – Author, The Value of Values; Founder, Valutus
Andrew Davies – CEO, B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand
Greig Brebner – TEDx Speaker; Founder, Inventor and Design Director, BLUNT
Tania Tapsell – Mayor of Rotorua
Michael Dupee – CEO, Sustainable Brands Global (virtual speech)
Alec Tang – Partner, KPMG NZ
Debbie O’Byrne – Author, Circular Economy Expert; Co-Founder, Planet Price
Leonardo Rabelo – Chief Financial Officer of Dole Asia Holdings' Fresh Produce Group (virtual speech)
Johanna Cederlöf – Market Manager, IKEA
Ben Redwood – CEO, Mutu
James Griffin – General Manager, Sustainable Business Network
Gareth Hughes – Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa NZ
Rachel Depree – Sustainability Executive, Zespri
Erin Swanson – Sustainability Lead, Comvita
Jordi Beneyto-Ferre – Director Materials & Innovation, VF Corp
Kat McDonald – Consultant, Proxima
Desirae Kirby - Sustainability Advisor, Rotorua Sustainable Charter
Brendan Haigh – Kaitiaki, Miraka
Nicola Taylor – Co-Founder, Taxi & Tax Traders
Nicola Turner – Founder, Mainstream Green
Angelina Ashcroft – Head of Marketing, ecostore
Paul Button – General Manager, Rotorua Canopy Tours
Nicky Cummerfield – Head of Global Marketing, Silver Fern Farms
Debbie Robertson – General Manager, Wai Ariki
Laura Gemmell – CEO, Eco Choice
Catherine Bryant – Commercial Knowledge & Development Specialist, Simpson Grierson
Tara Smith – Sustainability Manager, Indevin Group
Julia Jackson – General Manager Purpose and Communications, Kiwibank
Tania Hyde – Technical Director, Beca
Laura Robichaux – Senior Associate, Beca
Kristin Renoux – Senior Associate, Sustainability-Climate & Nature, Beca
“Values are the guiding lights that help us thrive. With this idea in mind, we designed the first edition of Sustainable Brands Aotearoa not just as a platform for inspiring stories, but as a space to spotlight the leaders who truly walk the regenerative talk and show that values-alignment is a bold and necessary act. We’re thrilled to bring the energy of Sustainable Brands global community to Aotearoa and create a fresh space that invites deep curiosity, honest learning, and a powerful blend of global and local wisdom.” (Ioana Marin, Creative Communication Advisor, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa)
What can participants expect from the event experience?
The Value of Purpose is a two-day immersive experience designed to blend bold ideas with practical tools and reconnect people to purpose through nature, connection, and regeneration.
The conference pass includes:
full access to all keynotes, sessions and panels
one masterclass or workshop: “How to Drive Value with Transition Planning” (Beca experts) or “The Value of Values” (Daniel Aronson)
one “Nature x Nurture” experience: Te Puia Geyser by Night, Wai Ariki Hot Springs, or Redwoods Treewalk™
networking with +100 purpose-led brands and leaders
post-event content and resources
a complimentary e-copy of “The Value of Values” by Daniel Aronson
What are the benefits of attending?
You’ll gain access to global thought leaders and real-world case studies, practical tools and ROI frameworks to bring back to your team, and actionable insights to help you measure and communicate the impact of your sustainability and purpose programmes.
You'll build meaningful relationships with values-aligned brands and leaders while exploring how purpose can drive culture, performance, and long-term growth. As part of the growing Sustainable Brands Aotearoa network, you’ll also put your company on the global stage, participate in immersive nature-based experiences, and become part of an open, solutions-focused community shaping the future of business.
“Purpose is not a luxury. It’s a strategy. The companies that understand this are already pulling ahead. Sustainable Brands Aotearoa is a place for bold conversations, real connection, and measurable action. If you’re ready to lead the future of business, this is where you need to be.” (Lewis Patterson, Country Director, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa)
How to register
Conference passes can be booked by following this registration link.
Who is the team behind the event?
Lewis Patterson (Country Director, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa; CEO of Latitude 45 Limited)
JongKyu Jang (Conference Convenor, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa; Director of Latitude 45 Limited)
Ioana Marin (Creative Communication Advisor, Sustainable Brands Aotearoa, Founder of Inspirators)
Advisory Board: KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz (Founder & Chief Catalyst, Sustainable Brands Global) and Melissa Baer (CEO & Founder, Backstory)
The event is made possible thanks to the support from partner organisations that recognise and align with the conference’s mission to bring positive change: Proxima, Silver Fern Farms, Mutu, Sustainable Business Network, Pathfinder, Chapter Zero New Zealand, Inspirators, Aroha Avenue, B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, Rotorua Sustainable Charter, &BLOOM Sustainability & ESG.