2026 Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainability Professionals survey launches

Oxygen Consulting, in partnership with Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), and the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), have launched their seventh annual survey on the sustainability profession in Aotearoa New Zealand and are inviting eligible professionals to take part.

This year’s research continues to explore the remuneration, gender pay equity, competencies, support requirements, capability development, succession pathways and wellbeing of sustainability professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand.   

“Year on year, this research continues to reveal not just how the sustainability profession in Aotearoa is evolving, but also where it’s being stretched and strengthened. At a time when sustainability has sometimes been dismissed as ‘woke’ or sidelined amid economic and political noise, this research provides a much-needed reality check,” says Sarah Holden, Founder and Director of Oxygen Consulting.

“Sustainability professionals are doing commercially critical work, and this research reinforces the value they bring to organisations navigating their long-term performance. The insights from this survey will help organisations, educators and leaders invest in the skills, wellbeing and pathways that ensure this profession can continue to lead meaningful change right across Aotearoa.”

“This year has exposed a real divide in sustainable business leadership: some organisations have quietly stepped back as pressure has eased, while genuine leaders are leaning in for the long term. They understand that acting on climate and nature, as well as investing in innovation, aren’t ‘nice to haves’, but essential to building resilient, attractive businesses,” says Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network.

“For sustainability professionals, expectations are rising even as support tightens. That’s why this research is more important than ever. We need to understand the skills and support these professionals need to bring about real change.” 

“The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) is proud to contribute to this important annual snapshot of New Zealand's sustainability profession," says Mike Burrell, SBC Chief Executive. “Each year the findings unpack critical insights for business leaders, revealing how the profession is evolving and highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing those working at the forefront of sustainability.”

“As sustainability becomes increasingly central to business strategy, and responsibility for sustainability outcomes continues to expand across organisations, this research plays a vital role in shaping and strengthening a profession that is critical to the long‑term success of New Zealand.”

“AUT enjoys supporting this applied research project,” says Marjo Lips-Wiersma, Professor of Ethics and Sustainability Leadership at Auckland University of Technology. “At present the role of the sustainability officer is both increasingly important and challenging. Because of the longitudinal nature of this research and the wonderful ongoing participation of our research participants, we are in a unique position to identify patterns of what stays the same, where sustainability officers see new opportunities and where opportunities are lost in the short term. We also identify how these current times affect career progress, energy and wellbeing over time.”

This research is open from 2 February – 2 March 2026 to people currently working in an Aotearoa New Zealand organisation and have sustainability as part or all of their role. This includes professionals with some sustainability responsibilities as well as those in dedicated sustainability roles. ‘Sustainability’ includes responsibilities to address social, environmental, and economic risks to the organisation and participants can be in full-time, part-time, or contractual positions within public, private, not-for-profit and charity sectors.

AUT’s Ethics Committee (AUTEC) has approved this research (AUTEC reference number 23/1) and a participants information form outlining the research in detail can be found here.

To go straight to the survey, click here.