Phoenix Organic Limited, New Zealand

In 1999 Phoenix was the first company in New Zealand to adopt The Natural Step framework for sustainability.  The company used the framework with good effect to guide its decision-making for sustainable growth in line with its brand values.

Phoenix started as a home-based business run by its three owners, but soon became a small operation with six staff being run out of the back of a health food shop in Waitakere City.  Six years later Phoenix moved to a rented building in the heart of Waitakere and in 1999, when introduced to The Natural Step, they had about 16 staff. The company quickly outgrew those premises, with staff up to thirty and production expanding.