Case studies

Can Southland fuel its own transition away from coal?

Can Southland fuel its own transition away from coal?

What is the potential for using wood biomass energy from local forestry to fuel the big energy users in the region? In our report for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), we evaluated the availability of wood biomass for bioenergy use in Southland,...

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Raising the bar for waste auditing

Raising the bar for waste auditing

The process of sampling a city’s waste is not only dirty work, it requires careful planning and attention to detail. Councils are obliged to have waste minimisation plans in place. And, as a way of monitoring the effectiveness of their recycling systems – regular...

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Turning the idea of zero carbon into a reality

Whirika helps small and large businesses understand their energy use and carbon emissions so that they can make informed decisions about their business. In 2020, we developed a zero carbon strategy for Prime Range Meats in Invercargill. First, we developed a carbon...

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Managing a pest with a long history of bouncing back

Managing a pest with a long history of bouncing back

The dry climate and open country of Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes District is a draw card for semi-rural landowners, and for rabbits. The pest is not a new problem - but it’s one with a long history of bouncing back.​ With rabbits affecting more landowners as...

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Predator free planning for Onetahua Farewell Spit

Predator free planning for Onetahua Farewell Spit

We worked with Tasman Environmental Trust to plan a predator control programme for Onetahua Farewell Spit. Onetahua Farewell Spit is a Wetland of International Importance and a popular holiday stopover for more than 20,000 migratory birds each year. The importance of...

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