The Headwaters Eco Lodge in Glenorchy, near Queenstown, is delighted to receive recognition for its sustainability and environmental initiatives as it celebrates achievements in two national awards.
Founders Paul and Debbi Brainerd have today been recognised for their vision for the lodge as finalists in the Sustainable Business Network Transformational Leadership Award.
They are excited to make the SBN’s Next 95 list of innovators and entrepreneurs progressing sustainable business in New Zealand, with winners to be announced on November 27.
Earlier this month the lodge was also thrilled to be a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards in the KiwiRail Tourism Environment Award.
Paul and Debbi have long been champions of a circular economy that benefits people, environment and community. Paul Brainerd switched from business to philanthropy nearly 30 years ago after selling his innovative desktop publishing company, establishing the Brainerd Foundation providing grants to many communities and non-profit organisations in North America.
After falling in love with Glenorchy over 20 years ago, they bought the township’s run-down campground and village store and transformed it into what’s now known as The Headwaters Eco Lodge and Mrs Woolly’s General Store with a café and art gallery.
The couple describe the lodge as a collaboration with local community, New Zealand artists and craftspeople, national and international designers, engineers, builders, water and energy management specialists, and native landscape restoration professionals.
The design and build featured extensive use of salvaged and recycled materials such as bridges from the Christchurch earthquake and old woolsheds.
After opening in 2018, the lodge was recognised as the first-ever accommodation facility designed and certified to Living Building Challenge (LBC) standards, the most rigorous in the world.
It uses approximately 50% less water than facilities of a similar size and is Net Positive for energy thanks to nearly 600 solar photovoltaic panels onsite. The couple also set up the Glenorchy Community Trust to benefit community groups and projects.
“We’re thrilled to be recognised among some of New Zealand’s best and brightest tourism leaders and businesses with these awards nominations,” says Debbi.
Accommodation at The Headwaters’ award-winning lodge features elegantly appointed premium eco chalets. The main lodge building is home to meeting rooms featuring state-of-the-art technology, a beautiful lounge and The Headwaters Dining Room, an exceptional garden-to-table food cuisine destination paying homage to locally-grown seasonal produce artfully matched with stunning Central Otago wines.
