Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has expanded its sustainability credentials, receiving a Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award from Qualmark.
The award builds on Te Pae Christchurch’s earlier achievement of Toit≈´ enviromark gold certification, and is another step in the right direction for a team committed to safe and sustainable operations and events.
Te Pae Christchurch general manager Ross Steele said he was very proud of what the team had achieved so soon after opening.
“Very early on in our journey at Te Pae Christchurch we set a standard for how we want to operate and work with clients, suppliers and our industry. Sustainability and strong focus on customer service are key pillars for us and it’s humbling to see our efforts recognised with gold by the Qualmark team.”
Qualmark is judged on sector specific criteria across four areas – economic, environment and culture, social/people and health and safety. Across the 26 criteria Te Pae Christchurch was assessed on, the Centre represented best practice in six, and achieved an excellent or very good score in the remainder.
Two areas the centre performed particularly well in were economic and environment and culture.
Among feedback provided by Qualmark was praise for Te Pae Christchurch‘s commitment to sustainability: “your environmental commitment goes right across every aspect of your core operation”. In making the comment Qualmark touched on the Centre’s partnership with Waste Management to minimise, recycle and measure every possible substance, along with sector-leading initiatives such as the eWater system and GAIA dehydrator for food waste.
Te Pae Christchurch’s underlying kaupapa of manaakitanga was also singled out as a highlight of operations, along with its customer feedback procedures, and the Centre’s strong sense of identity through the cultural narratives underpining its design and place in the city.
Qualmark recognises businesses that are delivering a holistically sustainable experience. Gold is the highest of three levels, recognising the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand – those involved in leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable destination.
