Toitu
Sustainability

Hei oranga tangata, hei oranga mo te ao turoa. We invest in people and nature.

In Te Tairawhiti, we’ve experienced first-hand how economic systems can place pressure on our whenua and how those made most vulnerable as a result are also often excluded from any financial benefit.

Like many rural populations, the East Coast of New Zealand has been ravaged by decades of slow economic growth – the promise of employment and opportunity in urban centres encouraging our people away from whānau and whenua. The options for haukāinga (those who have remained), particularly in the primary industries, have mainly been destructive – often unsafe and unsustainable.

Rua has a deep sense of kaitiakitanga. We believe we are responsible for protecting and nurturing our environment and sharing the benefits of a successful business with our community.

Our intergenerational view comes from a deep-seated belief that great business is good for the land and its people.

Te Anga Whakauka o Rua
Rua Sustainability Framework

We believe the medicinal cannabis industry should be equitable, sustainable, and accountable. The Rua Sustainability Framework is our master plan. It underpins our goal to lead the global industry as an ethical and sustainable medicinal cannabis business.

The Rua Sustainability Framework guides our sustainability programme. It will shape the way we engage with stakeholders, support sustainable decision-making processes, shape business strategy, guide innovation, drive better performance, and create value.

As we focus on developing pathways into sustainable and high-value jobs within our company and across the medicinal cannabis industry, we work with local rangatahi, fostering a fascination for all things science, technology, and engineering - inspiring the next generation to do incredible things from right here in Te Tairāwhiti.

We do much of this work supported by our friends at Trust Tairāwhiti.

Our priorities for 2023 include…

  • Compassionate Access Programme

    Our Compassionate Access Programme is a way we are able to share the potential health benefits of medicinal cannabis with our community. It is designed exclusively for patients in our region and is run by the region’s prescribers. It enables them to provide Rua medicines at no charge to qualifying patients, the most important being that the patient has a genuine clinical need as well as real barriers that limit their ability to pay for the medicine.

  • Rua Open Days

    Run alongside local kura, Rua (from time to time) opens its doors to small groups of senior science and horticulture students. In rubbing shoulders with our team of growers, researchers and scientists we hope our rangatahi start thinking about what a future with Rua Bioscience might look like.

    If you have a group of motivated students interested in pursuing careers in agritech email us for more information.

  • He Ara Atawhai – He Kākano/He Puāwai Under and Post Graduate Scholarships

    Rua has established a scholarship programme specifically for those students residing in Te Tairāwhiti (or those with affiliations to the region) studying in areas related to our business or kaupapa.

  • Student Exposure Trips

    These small group excursions, run with local kura, will introduce students to the exciting world Research & Development. They’ll gain real-world insight into the business of science as we visit our partners at universities, CRIs, government agencies, and partner businesses across the motu.

    If your kura is interested in getting involved, email us for further information.

  • He Ara Ahumahi - Internships

    Our internship programme gives the next generation of East Coast scientists, researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs hands-on experience in our fascinating industry.

    If you’re interested in receiving the details, email us and we’ll pop you on the mailing list.

  • Sustainable Packaging

    Rua has adopted a sustainable packaging policy that requires Rua to use recyclable packaging options when shown to meet EU Pharmacopoeia.

  • Transition from Illicit

    Rua will develop a safe and trustworthy path for New Zealand cannabis genetics to enter a research and development pathway, with opportunities for commercial cultivation.

  • Ethical Conduct

    Rua has established a code of ethics and conduct and adopted anti-corruption and modern slavery policies. Our staff are trained in diversity and inclusion.

  • Carbon Reduction

    FY23 MyImprint completed a full GHG report and awarded Rua a certificate endorsing that we have achieved REDUCE status.

Rua and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all — laying out a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of Agenda 2030 are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which clearly define the world we want — applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.

Rua has used the UN Sustainable Development Goals to guide and form the Rua Sustainability Framework.

  • No Poverty

    Rua has a significant presence in Ruatorea. Creating employment in this community remains a core commitment of the company. Our grower partner programme is also designed to ensure local whānau and landowners will be present in our value chain.

    We prioritise the free, prior and informed consent of mana whenua throughout our projects, taking into account the Waitangi Tribunal’s report on Wai 262.

  • Zero Hunger

    Cannabis seeds are a valuable and healthy food resource. Rua has worked with seed collectors and farmers in Nepal and community-led initiatives to support and preserve genetic diversity and knowledge regarding the cannabis plant. Rua has also supported hemp crops being differentiated from psychoactivity-related crops using the ratio methodology proposed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

  • Health and Wellbeing

    Our HR policies encourage healthy lifestyles, providing services, resources and information to help employees fulfil their roles. We provide excellent working conditions and actively support working parents. We recognise illness manifests itself in a range of both physical and mental conditions, and no matter the illness, we focus on enabling our people to be the best they can be at all times.

  • Quality Education

    Rua respects the universal right to education, aligning our business and education priorities to that of our community by actively encouraging the region’s rangatahi into higher education.

  • Gender Equality

    Rua’s HR and Diversity and Inclusion Policies embed the principles of gender equality for employees and governing bodies throughout our operations. Rua encourages the participation of women in decision-making and governance at all levels. We are committed to increasing the diversity of governance and management as we know it will produce the most successful outcomes for all Rua stakeholders.

  • Clean Water and Sanitation

    Rua recognises water as a valuable resource and is working with mana whenua to understand the impact of our operations and our water footprint. Our goal is to minimise any adverse effects on water quality and effectively respond to any identified negative impacts.

  • Affordable and Clean Energy

    Rua works consistently to offset the impact of our growing operations. Rua buys its power from companies that generate from 100% renewable energy sources and is investigating the use of other renewable and green energy technologies.

  • Decent Work and Economic Growth

    Rua Bioscience was born out of a dream to increase the wellbeing of whānau and the whenua by providing sustainable, safe, well-paid employment to the people of Te Tairāwhiti. Our Community Development programme demonstrates our commitment to this.

    Our team shares our journey, skills and expertise with others within our industry and within the region.

  • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    Rua has taken a lifecycle approach to the development our new facilities in Gisborne and Ruatorea. The team considered social, economic and environmental impacts on the lifecycle of the infrastructure, using these impact assessments as the basis for supply chain choices and interactions with stakeholders.

  • Reduced Inequalities

    Rua creates opportunities for safe, well-paid work across the region. We’ve designed our grower partner programme to ensure local whānau and landowners will be represented in our value chain to contribute to their income growth.

    Company policies encourage fair and equitable treatment of all staff and embed appropriate processes and protocols.

  • Sustainable Cities and Communities

    Rua hopes to be part of a sustainable solution to economic development within Te Tairāwhiti by providing good-quality, well-paid jobs.

    We are committed to enhancing the cultural and natural heritage of Te Tairāwhiti, respecting the culture, values and languages of mana whenua.

    Our risk management practices increase business resilience, protecting livelihoods and productive assets throughout our supply chain.

  • Responsible Consumption and Production

    Rua has incorporated sustainable development into its business vision, policies and strategies and is developing sustainability targets and indicators across products and services. We are working to understand sustainable management and resource efficiency in all operations.

  • Climate Action

    Rua’s has developed our Rua Sustainability Framework as a relevant industry standard for addressing climate change.

  • Life Below Water

    Rua is taking responsibility for waste and wastewater generated and any other sources of pollution as a result of our business activities.

  • Life on Land

    Rua is assessing and preventing any actual or potential negative impacts on soil, wildlife, ecosystems and the food chain.

  • Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

    Rua maintains the notion of “do no harm”, ensuring that business operations do not harm in the regions in which we operate.

    Rua has prioritised and undertaken active engagement through our Community Engagement Programme.