Climate Health Champion Aotearoa Awards 2023

Congratulations to our Climate Health Champions

We are excited to announce that three of our kaimahi have been recognised in the Climate Health Champion Aotearoa Awards 2023. These awards appreciate individuals or teams that have gone above and beyond to create positive environmental change that protects the health of New Zealanders from climate change.

And the winners are:

Dr Rob Burrell

Anaesthetist, Middlemore Hospital Counties Manukau, won the North Island Award.

Rob has campaigned to reduce the environmental pollution that comes from anaesthesia.

“I feel really proud of what Anaesthesia has done as a specialty,” says Rob. “We have changed our priorities and put the planet’s health into the equation. Medicine in developed countries tends to be hugely resource and carbon intensive, but I’m cheered to find that does not have to be so.”

Tim Emson

Energy Manager Pungao Menetia, Waitaha Canterbury | Te Tai o Poutini West Coast, won the South Island Award.

Tim has carried out an ambitious decarbonisation programme. Under his guidance, new technologies have created massive reductions in our carbon footprint and saved millions of health dollars.

He has also championed the use of Green Star building measurements in new projects, leading to the first completed five star rated green building in Te Whatu Ora’s portfolio.

He is well known nationally as a determined leader in emission reduction for the New Zealand health sector. His advice is sought by Ministry of Health building project teams and sustainability leads and he actively trains and mentors new graduates in the emerging field of energy and carbon management.

“I’m very grateful to those busy people that took the time to nominate and vote for me,” says Tim.

Vicktoria Blake

Interim Head of Sustainability, won the New Zealand wide award.

Vicktoria is tireless in her passion for sustainability in the health sector. She is also a passionate advocate for creating space for Te Ao Māori and for equity to be at the heart of improving our communities for generations to come.

“It is a genuine honour to receive this award,” says Vicktoria. “But climate action takes all of us working collaboratively to enable the change we need for systemic action.”

We know that the environment plays a big role in people’s health and wellbeing – a healthy environment supports healthy people and climate change is widely regarded as the biggest threat to human health.