Greenfleet Charity Profile

2024 marked our five-year partnership anniversary with Greenfleet – a not-for-profit organisation working to restore and protect native forests.

At BioPak, we’re constantly working to balance people, planet and profit. One of the ways we do this is through our Give Back Fund, where we partner with leading social and environmental charities around the world – like Greenfleet.

We’re incredibly proud of this partnership, and our five-year anniversary prompted a moment of reflection as we look back on the projects we’ve supported.

• Charity name: Greenfleet
• Charity partner since: 2019
• Trees planted: 6,726
• BioPak Give Back Fund contribution: 1% of profits from our New Zealand business

• Charity name: Greenfleet
• Charity partner since: 2019
• Trees planted: 6,726
• BioPak Give Back Fund contribution: 1% of profits from our New Zealand business

Greenfleet is a leading not-for-profit organisation committed to planting native biodiverse forests across Australia and New Zealand.

Planting forests has many benefits – it restores habitats for native wildlife, gives endangered species a fighting chance, enhances soil and water quality, and of course, contributes to climate change mitigation by capturing carbon emissions. 

Since Greenfleet began in 1997, they’ve planted over 11.2 million native trees and are restoring over 550 forests that will remove 5 million tonnes of carbon over the rest of this century. A truly impressive feat. 

In 2023, Greenfleet celebrated their 25-year anniversary. “What I’m most excited about for Greenfleet, at our 25-year anniversary, is the next 25 years. There is such a buzz around stepping up – and not just fixing the problem, but moving beyond that, and restoring and regenerating and thriving.” Dominique Hes, Chair, Greenfleet Board.

During our partnership, BioPak has contributed to critical Greenfleet reforestation projects, donating a total of $48,335.82 and planting a total of 6,726 trees. 

We’re proud to have supported reforestation projects across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. This includes a revegetating project in Wenborn, situated near Dunedin in New Zealand’s South Island, and Te Muri, located north of Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island. Both projects help conserve and enhance their unique biodiversity.

Overlooking Otago Harbour in coastal Dunedin, the Wenborn Forest project is a significant ecological restoration effort by Greenfleet, planted in 2024. Designed to re-establish the dense, diverse forest that once thrived on this land, the project planted over 30 fast-growing, locally native species to reflect the pre-clearing ecosystem. These carefully selected species are well-suited to the site’s exposed coastal conditions and will help stimulate natural regeneration processes as the forest matures.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is a powerful example of climate action, with the forest set to remove approximately 5,400 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, the equivalent to 2,700 return flights between Melbourne and Dunedin. The site is legally protected for 100 years, ensuring its long-term impact.

New Zealand is renowned for its unique wildlife, with Dunedin recognised as a biodiversity hotspot on the South Island. As Wenborn Forest grows, it will provide critical habitat for native bird species such as spotted shags, variable oystercatchers, and spoonbills. One of the earliest signs of a successful restoration is the return of native wildlife, and Greenfleet’s ongoing monitoring will track the forest’s progress and the diverse species it supports. The Wenborn project not only restores lost ecosystems but also helps safeguard New Zealand’s natural heritage for generations to come.

Originally launched in 2006, the Leaf BioCup was BioPak’s first step toward sustainable cup design. Nearly two decades on, this iconic product has evolved into the Nature Series, a vibrant collection celebrating reforestation and native biodiversity.

The latest series features rotating designs inspired by native trees planted at Wenborn Forest, including leaf imagery from Wineberry (Makomako), New Zealand Broadleaf (Kāpuka), and Kohuhu (Kōhūhū). These designs pay tribute to Aotearoa’s rich natural heritage and the vital role of ecological restoration.

The leaf photos were captured by Alice Macklow, Sea Project Manager and passionate conservationist based in Waitati, within Dunedin’s Halo Project area. With a background in volunteering and communications at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Alice witnesses the impact of conservation daily, from visiting kākā to nesting kōtare in the trees around her home. She remains deeply committed to supporting the thriving conservation community in Dunedin and its mission to protect local flora and fauna for generations to come.

Learn more about the BioCup Leaf Series here.

Te Muri is a regional park located north of Auckland, overlooking Mahurangi Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. 

Between 2016 and 2022, Greenfleet collaborated with Auckland Council to revegetate around 96 hectares of the park with Indigenous seedlings. That’s equal to around 48 Melbourne Cricket Grounds. 

BioPak is proud to have played a part in restoring this precious ecosystem. 

Here are some highlights of the project:

• Today, more than 100,000 trees have been planted in the area.
• The native tree species planted include pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), pūriri, tōtara (Podocarpus totara) and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides).
• Ongoing assessments of the area have concluded the newly planted areas are going well.
• Restoring this forest will promote connected wildlife habitats and stepping stones for Indigenous bird species to move through the area.
• Te Muri features steep rolling hills, with the revegetation helping to mitigate erosion and improve water quality of the surrounding creeks and gullies.

BioPak has also contributed to reforestation projects across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Glendalough, VIC, Boonwurrung Country

A 240-hectare property located in South Gippsland. Greenfleet is working to return the cleared area to a regenerative farm and native forest – a true example of sustainable agriculture.

Cherry Avon, QLD, Yuggera Country

Located north-west of Brisbane, restoration works at this site will provide habitats for endangered koalas, improve water quality and sequester carbon. 

Lyrebird, VIC, Kurnai Country

Located in Boolarra South, Gippsland, this site was once extensively used for grazing. It’s now revegetated to create a habitat for local wildlife – like koalas, greater gliders and gang-gang cockatoos. 

Witzend, NSW, Bundjalung Country

Located just northwest of Byron Bay, Greenfleet planted trees here between 2018 and 2020. More than 13,000 native trees now grow on the site. 

Cherry Gully, QLD, Yuggera Country

Located in south-east Queensland, this project is restoring over 50 hectares of native ecosystem to create a habitat for endangered koalas.

In the bad news cycle, it’s easy to focus on what we can’t change. But we believe it’s just as important to celebrate our milestones and wins, like five years of supporting Greenfleet. 

Thanks to Greenfleet, over 550 native forests are being restored and protected. This is working to address deforestation, create habitats, give endangered species a chance, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and remove carbon from the atmosphere. 

• Forest and Bird Charity Profile
• BioPak’s ‘Give Back Program’ Makes a Big Difference to Rainforest Rescue for Over a Decade
• Ecologi Charity Profile

Greenfleet has a track record of successful forest restoration and protection in New Zealand and Australia. They are also able to quantify the carbon sequestration benefits associated with various types of  land managements. This allows us to use the carbon credits associated with our donations for our carbon neutral program (Climate Active certification).

Greenfleet is a leading not-for-profit organisation committed to protecting our climate by restoring forests.  They plant native biodiverse forests in Australia and New Zealand to capture carbon emissions and restore biodiversity.  In fact forests absorb carbon from the atmosphere, improve soil and water quality, and provide vital habitat for native wildlife.

In 2020, we have donated 1% of our profits to GreenFleet for their New Zealand projects, such as Atiu Creek or Te Muri. These areas have been revegetated with hundreds of species, including many native ones, and they are home to rare and threatened plant and animal species. Greenfleet’s revegetation work also improves water quality in these areas as it flows into local streams and rivers.

More information:

• Offset your emissions with Greenfleet
• Get involved with Greenfleet