Sustainably Ever After

In this season finale, Lilah McDonald sits down with Liam Bowden, the creative force behind New Zealand's iconic leather accessories brand, Deadly Ponies.

What began as a garage hobby in 2005 has evolved into an internationally recognised luxury label with sustainability at its core.

Liam shares the brand's two-decade journey, from scavenging scrap leather and selling one-off pieces, to becoming net carbon zero certified and committing to being the world's most responsible handbag brand. Discover how Deadly Ponies is redefining ethical fashion through innovative design, waste reduction, low-impact freight, and circular recycling practices, all without compromising on style or quality.

Key Takeaways:

• The origin story of Deadly Ponies — and the quirky inspiration behind the name.

• How Liam balances aesthetics and ethics in design.

• The challenges and opportunities of building a sustainable luxury brand.

• Why leather's longevity can support a more circular fashion model.

• Innovations in waste reduction, packaging, freight and supply chain ethics.

• Deadly Ponies' recycling programme — giving old bags new life.

• Real talk on greenwashing, and how the brand stays transparent and authentic.

• Liam's vision for the future of leather alternatives and responsible fashion.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Deadly Ponies

Website – deadlyponies.comFacebook –@deadlyponiesInstagram –@deadlyponies

In this special bonus episode, we turn the tables on Sustainably Ever After host Lilah McDonald, and hear her story as a young entrepreneur, changemaker, and advocate for a more sustainable Aotearoa.

At just 10 years old, Lilah founded Water Us, a purpose-led toilet paper company funding public drinking fountains across New Zealand. Now a teen, she's already installed her first two fountains and is working toward a bold goal: 100 fountains nationwide. Lilah shares how a single moment during a childhood trip sparked her mission to reduce plastic waste and promote health in our communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The story behind Water Us and the Public Water Project

• What it's like building a social enterprise while still at school

• Her reflections on hosting two seasons of Sustainably Ever After

• Key lessons from conversations with changemakers like Brianne West

• Advice for young people and businesses on making meaningful change

• Why taking small steps - and simply starting - matters more than perfection

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Water Us

Website – waterus.nz Facebook – @waterus.nz Instagram – @waterus.nz

In this episode of Sustainably Ever After, Lilah McDonald sits down with Bryce Marsden, Chief Executive of the Milford Foundation, to explore how long-term thinking and focused philanthropy can create real change across youth, education, and the environment in Aotearoa New Zealand.

With over a decade of leadership experience at Milford Asset Management, Bryce brings a unique blend of business acumen and deep personal commitment to the Foundation's mission. He shares what it was like to build the Milford Foundation from the ground up, why meaningful change takes generational thinking, and how a humble, low-profile approach can often yield the most authentic results. It's a thoughtful conversation about backing people, not just projects - and why the next generation is central to shaping a more sustainable, equitable future.

Key Takeaways:

• Bryce's journey from COO to leading a purpose-driven charitable foundation.

• How the Milford Foundation supports 46+ university scholarships and programmes like MoneyTime and What's Up to empower young Kiwis.

• Why the Puhinui Stream Regeneration Project is a game-changer for South Auckland's urban biodiversity and community wellbeing.

• The importance of multi-year funding, responsible investing, and going beyond financial contributions to help charities scale their impact.

• Practical advice for businesses that want to make a difference — from choosing causes aligned with your values to planning a thoughtful exit strategy.

• Why humility, long-term commitment, and collaboration are key to authentic impact — and how every small step matters.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Milford Foundation

Website – milfordfoundation.co.nzFacebook – @milfordfoundationInstagram – @milfordfoundationLinkedIn – @Milford Foundation

In this powerhouse episode, Lilah McDonald sits down with Brianne West, celebrated Founder of Ethique and now the brains behind Incrediballs, a first-of-its-kind waste-free beverage company launching in 2025. Brianne shares the unvarnished truth about start-up life, the challenges of scaling a purpose-led brand, and why building businesses that solve problems - not just make money - is the key to creating real change.

From handcrafting shampoo bars in her kitchen to turning Ethique into a $100M global success that saved over 41 million plastic bottles from landfill, Brianne reflects on the risks, breakthroughs, and learnings that have shaped her journey. She also opens up about Incrediballs, her next big mission to tackle the plastic crisis in the drinks industry with home-compostable, dissolvable drink tablets.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, impact-driven leader, or just curious about what it takes to change the world (twice), this episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

• How Brianne's early science passion and entrepreneurial spirit shaped her path.
• The story behind Ethique's rise and its legacy after Brianne's exit.
• Why Incrediballs could disrupt the global beverage industry - and how it works.
• Brianne's radically honest take on start-up burnout, hustle culture, and boundaries.
• The viral moments and media spikes that fuelled Ethique's growth.
• Her step-by-step approach to sustainable supply chains.
• The importance of values-led leadership, crowdfunding, and community building.
• Why more competitors in sustainable spaces are a good thing.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Incrediballs:

Website – incrediballs.com Instagram – @incrediballsdrinks

In this episode of Sustainably Ever After, host Lilah McDonald chats with Aidan Bartlett, CEO of Designer Wardrobe – a fashion resale and rental platform that's redefining how New Zealanders interact with clothing.

From its humble beginnings as a Facebook group to a thriving online marketplace and rental service, Designer Wardrobe has become a standout player in New Zealand's sustainable fashion movement.

Aidan shares the evolution of the platform, the power of trust within a peer-to-peer community, and the conscious choices behind scaling a business with sustainability at its core. This episode offers valuable insights not only for fashion entrepreneurs but for any business owner looking to align profit with purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• The backstory of Designer Wardrobe: How a simple community idea evolved into a national e-commerce platform for fashion resale and rental.
• Why a circular economy model is crucial for the future of fashion: How Designer Wardrobe empowers users to make more sustainable choices.
• The power of people: The importance of community trust, brand integrity, and customer experience in growing a peer-driven business.
• Start-up growth: How Aidan approaches leadership and decision-making in a fast-scaling, mission-led start-up.
• Fashion-froward mentality: The ways Designer Wardrobe reduces fashion waste and promotes affordability while staying true to modern style and convenience.
• Online marketplace: The digital innovation and operational design behind making fashion resale and rental seamless and scalable.
• Plus: Real-world advice for other purpose-led businesses on balancing commercial growth with environmental and social impact.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Designer Wardrobe:

Website – designerwardrobe.co.nzFacebook – @designerwardrobenz Instagram – @designer.wardrobe.marketplace TikTok – @designer.wardrobe.mp

In this episode of Sustainably Ever After, host Lilah McDonald sits down with Nick Sautner, CEO of Eden Park, to discuss the stadium's innovative approach to sustainability. As New Zealand's most iconic sports venue, Eden Park is not just a stage for unforgettable sporting moments - it's also leading the way in environmental and community-focused initiatives.

Nick shares insights into how Eden Park is reducing its carbon footprint, implementing sustainable practices, and using its platform to create a lasting positive impact. From renewable energy initiatives to waste reduction strategies, he delves into how sports venues can be catalysts for change. He also highlights the importance of community engagement and how Eden Park is working with local businesses and organisations to foster sustainability beyond the stadium walls.

Key Takeaways:

• How Eden Park integrates sustainability into its operations: Nick discusses the stadium's approach to embedding sustainability into everyday activities, from energy efficiency to eco-friendly procurement practices.
• The role of large venues in driving environmental change: As a high-profile venue, Eden Park sets an example for other sports and entertainment spaces, showing how large-scale events can operate with minimal environmental impact.
• Innovative initiatives that are reducing waste and energy consumption: From composting food waste to utilising solar energy, Nick shares the specific programs Eden Park has introduced to lessen its carbon footprint.
• The power of partnerships in advancing sustainable goals: Collaboration with local businesses, suppliers, and environmental organisations has been key to implementing effective sustainability measures at Eden Park.
• The future of sustainability in the events and sports industry: Nick provides insights into emerging trends and technologies that will shape the future of sustainable event management, ensuring long-term positive environmental impact.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Eden Park's sustainability journey:

Website – edenpark.co.nzFacebook – @edenparknzInstagram – @edenparknzLinkedIn – @edenparknz

In this episode of Sustainably Ever After, host Lilah McDonald speaks with Michal Garvey, Founder of Foodprint, a food rescue app helping cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets reduce food waste by selling surplus food at a discount.

Michal shares her journey from witnessing food waste firsthand while working at a hotel in Colorado, to launching a star-tup that is actively fighting food waste across New Zealand. She shares the challenges of building a tech-based sustainability business, the role of food waste in climate change, and how small changes in consumer and business behaviour can have a big impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The environmental cost of food waste: Why food that ends up in landfill doesn't simply biodegrade but instead contributes significantly to climate change.
• How Foodprint works: Discover how the app connects eateries with surplus food to consumers looking for great deals while helping the planet.
• Tech for good: Michal's journey into the world of food technology, how she built a digital solution without a tech background, and the importance of making sustainability easy for consumers.
• Beyond the bin: Practical steps for businesses and individuals to reduce food waste before it happens and ensure that unavoidable waste is properly handled.
• The future of food rescue: Exciting trends in food waste innovation, including up-cycling, waste reduction policies, and the role of technology in making the food industry more sustainable.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch:

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Footprint:

Website – foodprint.app Facebook – @FoodprintNZ Instagram – @foodprintnz

Welcome back to Sustainably Ever After, in this episode, host Lilah McDonald speaks with Rui Peng, co-founder and Chief Executive of Critical., a clean-tech company turning plastic waste into durable construction panels called Cleanstone. Rui co-founded Critical. with the goal of building an enduring company that exists to manaaki (care for) people and land. He shares his inspiring journey from studying architecture to creating an innovative Māori-owned company that tackles plastic waste and carbon emissions in the construction industry.

Key Takeaways:

• The shocking reality of plastic waste in New Zealand and how Critical. is repurposing it.
• Rui's journey from an immigrant upbringing to becoming a sustainability entrepreneur.
• The devastating tornado that nearly destroyed his business – and how he rebuilt.
• The role of architecture and design in driving sustainable change.
• How the Critical. Cleanstone panels are shaping the construction industry.
• The future of sustainable building materials and what needs to change in society.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch: Website - nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram - @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Critical.:Website – criticaldesign.nzFacebook – @CriticalnzInstagram – @bluntumbrellasLinkedIn – Critical.

In this episode of Sustainably Ever After, host Lilah McDonald sits down with Greig Brebner, Founder of BLUNT Umbrellas, to explore the journey of rethinking one of the most mundane yet universally used products: the umbrella. From the rainy streets of London to global recognition, Greig shares his story of innovation, sustainability, and determination to challenge the world's throwaway mentality.

Key Takeaways:

• Greig's rural upbringing outside Auckland shaped his creativity and passion for making better products.
• The breakthrough moment came when he realised small, incremental improvements to existing umbrellas could make a big difference.
• BLUNT's iconic design focuses on safety, durability, and aesthetics - eliminating sharp points while creating a tighter canopy for superior performance.
• Sustainability is built into the product's DNA, with initiatives like fabric recycling programs and repair services for broken umbrellas.
• As a certified B Corp, BLUNT is leading the way in proving that premium, long-lasting products can reduce environmental impact.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, Milford Foundation that is supporting education, youth and the environment to build a better tomorrow for all New Zealanders.

Get in touch: Website - nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram - @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about BLUNT Umbrellas:Website – bluntumbrellas.co.nz Facebook – @bluntumbrellas Instagram – @bluntumbrellas LinkedIn – Blunt Umbrellas HQ

In this bonus season-ending episode, Lilah McDonald interviews Steve Bonnici, the visionary behind Urgent Couriers, New Zealand's first carbon-neutral courier company. They dive into Steve's journey from being a courier in the 1980s to building an innovative business committed to environmental responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Steve shares his backstory, growing up on the West Coast and starting Urgent Couriers at 25. His early work as a courier inspired him to create a company focused on exceptional service.
• Steve speaks to the challenges of transitioning from being part of a team to leading one, and how he initially trained his drivers to sell services door-to-door.
• How Steve's MBA project in the late 1990s catalysed Urgent Couriers' commitment to sustainability.
• The steps to becoming carbon-neutral, including measuring emissions, creating reduction plans, and working with Toitū Envirocare.
• Initiatives such as replacing cars with e-bikes for central city deliveries and driver training for fuel efficiency.
• The limitations of current electric vehicle technology for courier needs, and the efforts to swap to lower-emission vehicles as viable options emerge.
• Why Urgent Couriers' sustainability efforts attract eco-conscious customers.
• Steve's advice to businesses wanting to reduce their carbon footprint: "It's not as hard as you think and often makes good business sense."

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If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, OfficeMax, whose vision it is to empower sustainable and successful workplaces. Learn more about how they can help your business at www.officemax.co.nz

Get in touch: Website - nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts Instagram - @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

Find out more about Urgent Couriers:Website - urgent.co.nz Facebook - @urgentcouriers Instagram - @urgentcouriers LinkedIn - Urgent Couriers Limited