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Explore our case studies to find out how our work goes beyond regulatory compliance to help clients
turn risks and challenges into opportunities with positive environmental impact at their core.

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Transitioning to a Blue Economy research report

EnviroStrat was tasked with leading a project reviewing how the blue economy in New Zealand is growing and changing, and the potential of research and innovation to support its development.

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Supporting the growth of New Zealand’s rapidly evolving seaweed sector

EnviroStrat has been a significant contributor to the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge blue economy workstream.

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From ‘assessment to investment’: the transition to a blue economy in India

The Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE) programme is a multi-phased approach in response to the growing need to safeguard India’s coastal and marine assets over the next decade.

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Blue economy series

In this series written for Pure Advantage, Fraser Stobie unlocks some new thinking about the world’s aquatic economy.

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Catalysing nature-based Solutions

Catalysing nature-based solutionsOur WorkStrategy, Research & Analysis
Catalysing nature-based solutions: Perspectives and practices for developing high-quality projects gives a sense of the vast potential we have to harness nature to address global environmental and biodiversity challenges. The report was co-authored by EnviroStrat and Singapore-based impact investment and advisory firm, Mana Impact, with support from UBS Optimus Foundation. Download the NBS Report. 
EnviroStrat
November 20, 2022

Innovative three-year seaweed farming pilot to demonstrate seaweed’s potential for New Zealand’s blue economy

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyOur WorkStrategy, Research & Analysis
GreenWave Aotearoa is an innovative three-year regenerative ocean farming pilot that began in mid-2021. Led by EnviroStrat, in partnership with Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki,Premium Seas Ltd, the Universities of Waikato and Auckland and AgriSea, the $5 million pilot is focused on creating an economically viable seed-to-harvest model for seaweed farming inNew Zealand. Taking place on existing consented aquaculturefarm sites in the Hauraki Gulf, supported by hatcheries in the Coromandel and Tauranga, the pilot is developing on-water infrastructure and growing techniques, post-harvesting logistics and product development. In doing so, GreenWave Aotearoa seeks to optimise productivity (and therefore commercial viability) of seaweed…
EnviroStrat
September 14, 2022

From ‘assessment to investment’: the transition to a blue economy in India

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyOur WorkUncategorised
About the client With 189 member countries, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership that is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its five institutions are working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, build shared prosperity in developing countries and promote sustainable development. Executive Summary The World Bank and Government of India had been collaborating to develop a long-term programme to direct funding and resources to coastal and marine management. The Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE) programme will help India enhance its coastal resources, protect coastal populations from pollution,…
EnviroStrat
June 23, 2022

Supporting the growth of New Zealand’s rapidly evolving seaweed sector

Central Gov'tCoastal, Marine & Blue EconomyOur WorkStrategy, Research & AnalysisUncategorised
About the client Established in 2014, the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge is a 10-year, two phase government-funded research programme set up to address how we can best develop our marine economy, while protecting the taonga of our marine environment. Executive Summary EnviroStrat has been a significant contributor to the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge blue economy workstream. In 2018/2019 we led a research project to identify marine activities that have the potential to create economic value whilst contributing positively to social, cultural and ecological wellbeing in New Zealand. This included a stocktake of national and international blue economy developments,…
EnviroStrat
June 23, 2022

Chatham Rock Phosphate (Managing the response to a proposal for Deep Sea Phosphate Mining)

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyIwiOur WorkProject & Programme ManagementStrategy, Research & Analysis
EnviroStrat successfully led the response of New Zealand’s largest tribe to a proposal for deep sea phosphate mining on the Chatham Rise, NZ. Developed and executed a strategy to refute the evidence presented by the applicant through a 3 month hearing process, including engaging and managing experts in economics, ecology, ecotoxicology, planning, and international best practice. There were a number of unresolved issues, including the impact on existing fisheries and cultural interests, the need for adaptive management in the context of very large infrastructure development, restoration techniques using the precautionary principle, and the reliance of modelling as a proxy for…
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Bycatch- Free Fish Trap- Feasibility assessment

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyImpact Project Develop'tOur WorkPrivate
EnviroStrat led the development and testing of the prototype of a bycatch-free fish trap. The trap is designed to improve the selectivity of commercial fishing by eliminating bycatch of non-target species and juvenile fish, and removes risk to seabirds, and impacts on marine mammals. EnviroStrat thoroughly investigated the feasibility of the device and carried out a trial of the prototype in the Leigh Harbour lasting 5 months to test its effectiveness in meeting the success criteria for the project. A number of challenges with the design aspects of the prototype were identified and solutions to fix these were provided to…
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Mussel Spat Farm Investment Case – 90 Mile Beach

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyImpact Project Develop'tIwiOur Work
EnviroStrat prepared the Investment Case for an open ocean 1,200 ha Mussel Spat Farm off 90 Mile Beach for three far north tribes and the aquaculture sector to address a critical risk to future growth of the mussel sector. EnviroStrat worked with the three tribes, industry, stakeholders, and MPI, as well as potential investors throughout the process. The investment case involved strategic assessment, consideration of social, environmental, cultural and economic factors, detailed financial modelling, legal analysis and engineering design.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Feasibility of seafood sector Impact Investment in the Hauraki Gulf

Fishing in Hauraki Gulf Aotearoa New ZealandCoastal, Marine & Blue EconomyImpact Project Develop'tOur WorkPrivate
EnviroStrat led a study, funded by Foundation North, into the feasibility of impact investment to provide the pathway to a high value, low impact seafood sector in the Hauraki Gulf. This included several elements of the fishery sector; shelving fishing quota, converting the current trawling fleet to more sustainable methods, development of high value salt water fishing tourism, development of fin fish aquaculture, and the creation of a sustainable fishery brand for the Hauraki Gulf.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Economic Impact Joint Venture Studies

Central Gov'tCoastal, Marine & Blue EconomyOur WorkProject & Programme ManagementStrategy, Research & Analysis
As part of the National Government freshwater reforms, EnviroStrat ran a team of economists, scientists and social scientists with an overall budget of several million dollars developing a series of integrated economic models to assess the implications of different policy scenarios across a range of uses of fresh water. EnviroStrat’s role was highly complex and involved managing >35 contracts in excess of $2.5M. The programme was run in a series of joint ventures between local councils, sector groups and central government agencies (MPI, MFE, DOC), and linking science, policy, and economics with government decision making. The ability to synthesise multiple…
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

UN Rio +20 Blue Economy Review

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyInternat'lOur WorkStrategy, Research & Analysis
EnviroStrat was appointed by the Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission of UNESCO as lead author of a cross-UN paper Blueprint for Ocean Sustainability – the core UN Oceans policy paper leading to the 2012 Rio+20 Global Environmental Summit. This paper provided the UN Oceans agencies with a succinct summary of the current issues and problems in the world’s oceans and identified ten proposals for future action that were intended to galvanise both UN agencies and member states at the recent Rio+20 Conference.   Photo from the Earth as Art series, thanks to the USGS EROS Center.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Restoration of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere

Impact Project Develop'tIwiLand & Water ManagementOur WorkStrategy, Research & Analysis
EnviroStrat was engaged by Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu to prepare a restoration strategy for Te Waihora and surrounding catchment, as current approaches that rely on government grants are not having the required impact on the highly impacted estuarine lake and catchment. EnviroStrat identified innovative approaches to monetising and scaling restoration through payment for ecosystem services including carbon forestry, trialling blue carbon within the lake, use of freshwater / brackish macroalgae for nutrient removal, wetland creation for both water quality and biodiversity impact, as well as environmental impact investment.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Current state analysis and market review: ESR food and water activities

Monitoring, Evaluation & Independent ReviewOur WorkPrivate
EnviroStrat was commissioned by ESR to review its food and water activities and how they contribute to ESR’s core purpose and key outcomes; in particular, providing scientific capacity for New Zealand on a financially and scientifically sustainable basis. EnviroStrat identified four key issues for the organisation: strategic direction; customer centricity; internal engagement; and delivering results. EnviroStrat developed a number of recommendations for ESR to fix the identified issues and improve overall performance.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Evaluation of the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund

Central Gov'tLand & Water ManagementMonitoring, Evaluation & Independent ReviewOur Work
EnviroStrat was commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes achieved from each of seven projects funded through the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Clean-up Fund. EnviroStrat reviewed the projects in detail and produced a number of recommendations so that future funding is more effectively used to achieve the objectives of each project and the overall programme.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Review of Campbell Island Marine Reserve

Central Gov'tCoastal, Marine & Blue EconomyMonitoring, Evaluation & Independent ReviewOur Work
EnviroStrat was appointed by DOC to review the current status of the Campbell Island Marine Reserve under the Sub Antarctic Islands Marine Reserve Act 2014. EnviroStrat provided a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation that it should be extended beyond its current boundaries to incorporate the entire Campbell Island Territorial Sea.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Hauraki Gulf Forum Review

Coastal, Marine & Blue EconomyMonitoring, Evaluation & Independent ReviewOur WorkRegional Gov't
EnviroStrat was asked by the Hauraki Gulf Forum to review whether the Forum was effectively promoting the objectives of part one of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Act 2000 and identify changes that could be made to help the Forum achieve these objectives. EnviroStrat identified the successes and failures from the Hauraki Gulf Forum and concluded that the Forum was failing to adequately promote the objectives of the Act. EnviroStrat then developed a total of 22 recommendations for the Forum to follow to better achieve the objectives of the Act and ensure the overall health of the Hauraki Gulf is sustained.
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

An Innovative Approach to Large Scale Land Use Change: Upper Waipā Impact Investment Feasibility

Impact Project Develop'tLand & Water ManagementOur WorkPrivate
The Waipā catchment is a significant contributor to the sediment and nutrient load of the Waikato and Waipā River catchments. Waikato River Authority and Waikato Regional Council catalysed and funded a feasibility study to investigate whether impact investing could enable accelerated land use and/or land cover change to achieve multiple environmental and social benefits, whilst delivering a positive financial return. The project built on the environmental enhancement projects that have been identified and prioritised through the Waikato River and Waipā River Restoration Strategy and the priorities identified in the Waipā Catchment Plan and Healthy Rivers Plan Change.  Traditional solutions to mitigate and improve…
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

Environmental Protection Authority Creation – Programme Management

Central Gov'tLand & Water ManagementOur WorkProject & Programme Management
One of the initial priorities of the 2008 National Government following its election was the establishment of a new entity to provide for a more rapid and effective delivery of national significant resource consent proposals than had been occuring under the Resource Management Act. EnviroStrat was retained to project manage the Ministry for the Environment team establishing an Environmental Protection Authority within MfE Successful launch of the EPA occurred with all main requirements in place for day one of operation. Specifically, EnviroStrat Created and implemented the plan of attack to ensure delivery to time, cost and quality requirements Managed the…
EnviroStrat
February 12, 2020

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