Media Release
12 June 2025
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Ekos are thrilled to be partnering with central government on the development of a voluntary Nature Credits Market pilot programme, announced by Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggart today.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari CEO Helen Hughes says that the time is right for a Nature Credits Market in Aotearoa and has applauded the government in supporting and learning from pioneers in this sector. This represents a significant move away from reliance on traditional grant funding and towards private sector investment to support New Zealand's biodiversity future.
Ekos built a biodiversity credit standard and digital registry to support private sector financing of biodiversity conservation projects. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is the first project to successfully trade biodiversity credits in the Ekos programme.
The government has selected a small number of pilot projects across the country, of which Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari/Ekos is one. The Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Biodiversity Credit project will focus on the soon-to-be-launched, international trade-ready biodiversity credits scheme developed by Ekos. The Ekos scheme, set to officially launch on 24th of June.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari CEO Helen Hughes says that the time is right for a Nature Credits Market in Aotearoa and has applauded the government in supporting and learning from pioneers in this sector. This represents a significant move away from reliance on traditional grant funding and towards private sector investment to support New Zealand's biodiversity future.
Ekos built a biodiversity credit standard and digital registry to support private sector financing of biodiversity conservation projects. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is the first project to successfully trade biodiversity credits in the Ekos programme.
The government has selected a small number of pilot projects across the country, of which Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari/Ekos is one. The Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Biodiversity Credit project will focus on the soon-to-be-launched, international trade-ready biodiversity credits scheme developed by Ekos. The Ekos scheme, set to officially launch on 24th of June.
This groundbreaking approach, developed by Ekos with Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari as the demonstration project, will enable the diversification of funding streams for community-led programmes while changing how New Zealand conservation is valued globally.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Ekos will be holding a webinar to launch the Ekos biodiversity credits scheme at 12 noon on Tuesday, 24 June. The webinar will outline the scheme and the benefits for organisations and individuals who are interested in investing in world-class environmental and social outcomes.
Webinar Details
• Date: Tuesday, 24 June
• Time: 12noon
• Topic: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari biodiversity Credits Project
• Hosts: Ekos and Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
• Registration Link
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Ekos will be holding a webinar to launch the Ekos biodiversity credits scheme at 12 noon on Tuesday, 24 June. The webinar will outline the scheme and the benefits for organisations and individuals who are interested in investing in world-class environmental and social outcomes.
Webinar Details
• Date: Tuesday, 24 June
• Time: 12noon
• Topic: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari biodiversity Credits Project
• Hosts: Ekos and Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
• Registration Link
Contact:
Helen Hughes, CEO Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari: helen@maungatrust.org | 027 529 8367
Sean Weaver, CEO Ekos: sean@ekos.co.nz | 0273563601
Helen Hughes, CEO Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari: helen@maungatrust.org | 027 529 8367
Sean Weaver, CEO Ekos: sean@ekos.co.nz | 0273563601