Sustainability Policy and Initiatives at The Heke

The Heke is committed to having not only less negative impact but a net positive impact on our community, our region, and the world. We are lucky to be a new business able to make decisions on our sustainable focus, right from the planning stages. 

We aim to be a leader in running a sustainable restaurant on Waiheke Island in New Zealand.

We have undertaken a Toitū Envirocare emissions assessment which showed our measured carbon footprint for the FY2023 to be 18.36 kgCO2e/$1k. This is reported by Toitū as being massively lower in kgCO2e/$1k than average in our sector. 

In 2023 we joined a Sustainability Capability Building Programme. This is led by the Tourism Industry Association (TIA) and Tataki Auckland Unlimited. We were assessed and were provided with an action plan to continue to improve in all aspects of our business and its impact on the environment.

In everyday actions, such as the ones we report here, we strive to be leaders in this area. This is in line with our values and we believe it is the only choice; to take responsibility for the impact we make for current and future New Zealanders. 

The following is not exhaustive and we will continue to update this as a living document, but we’re proud of the actions we have taken here at The Heke. 

We are open to feedback so after reading this, please send any feedback you may have to hello@theheke.co.nz 

In the restaurant, The Heke Kitchen:

100% of table water for our guests is filtered sparkling and still water, served from our taps into bottles which are sterilised and reused. 

This saves resources (money) for our guests. There are no single use water bottles for us to recycle, saving hundreds of bottles per week. 

95% of our beer is sold by the glass or jug. Beer is poured from taps. The beer is delivered in reusable kegs.
The beer bottles and cans that go to recycling are no and low alcohol, saving thousands of items sent to recycling per busy week. 

70% of our wine is served in carafe or glass. 
We select high quality local wines from sustainable-minded suppliers, delivered in reusable or recyclable kegs. As a result we save thousands of single serve wine bottles going to waste each year. 

100% of the premium gin and vodka served here is distilled on site using botanicals from our own property where possible, and bottled (excise paid!) in refilled sterilised bottles. 
There are no gin or vodka bottles to recycle, substantially less ‘air miles’ and waste. 

100% of our RTD's (e.g. vodka & gin based seltzers) are served in jug or glass.
There are no RTD cans or bottles to recycle

100% of cider is served in jugs or glass.
There are no cider cans or bottles to recycle 

We carry out on-site waste sorting of our glass into glass colours, tins, cans, and plastic. 
All recycling is able to be processed efficiently and avoids ‘mixed recycling’ which is often contaminated and rejected. 

All food waste is collected to be composted here on the island.
Waste is substantially minimised, compost is used to produce local crops. 

All cardboard is correctly recycled.
Waste is substantially minimised. 

We source local food suppliers first. 
See our Procurement Policy

We have an organic garden here. 
Our organic garden supplies a lot of our herbs and garnishes 

Unbleached card stock is used for our menus and tasting guides. These are reused for as long as possible.
This limits impact and printing and paper waste

Uniforms are chosen for longevity.
We use 100% cotton for our uniforms and choose a superior printing technique to ensure staff look great for longer. 

Cleaning consumables. 
We select cleaning products that are biodegradable. We buy concentrates that are diluted into reusable bottles for everyday use. We also sterilise and reuse cleaning cloths where practical; many restaurants throw them out each day. 

Garden Maintenance.
We purchased a fully-electric ride-on Ryobi lawn mower which lets us mow our 4 acres without using petrol. We have planted extensive native plants. 

The Heke Sustainable Procurement

Where possible we avoid buying single use items. 
The first principle is to not buy things. 

We choose suppliers in order of proximity to us.
Where possible we source in order of Waiheke Island / Auckland Region / New Zealand / Overseas

We supply first from our property.
Our orchards, citrus and garden supply as much as possible for our food and drink production. 

We next buy from Waiheke Island suppliers.
Our neighbours supply beer in keg, salad greens and garnishes. Our first-choice food service businesses are locally based. 

We source from the Auckland region. 
We choose local Auckland products including drinks; East Imperial mixers, local breweries & distilleries. 

We group shipments from further afield to limit the freight impact.
We group freight to the island, and we have a clear expectation that our suppliers of imported goods have a sustainability focus. 

In our newly built distillery and brewery

We have a contract for 100% renewable electricity.
We have chosen a higher priced long-term contract to ensure we use renewable energy in all parts of our production process. 

Highly efficient electric-fired steam generators power all distilling and brewing processes. 
No diesel or gas is used in our production processes. 

Heat recycling scavenging system. 
All the heat is recycled from the spent waste and used to pre-heat the next run, to save energy when brewing and distilling.

Natural cooling ducts and condenser cooling
The condensers are south facing outside of the building, to enable the whisky production to be cooled naturally.

Burnt wood (Japanese style) fascia cladding
No paint required ever. 

Steel framed double glazed windows
To save energy in heating and cooling. 

Fans are installed throughout the building to enable temperature control inside. 
To save energy in heating and cooling.

Recycled glass for whisky bottles
Our bespoke lighter weight bottle and recycled components reduce impact on the environment in both reducing waste, and weight of freight. 

Recycled PTFE screw caps on Waiheke Whisky bottles
As well as using recycled PTFE to manufacture them, our screw caps are significantly more sustainable than traditional corks. As a bonus they allow the bottles to be reused by the end consumer in whatever way they wish. 

Vegetable dyes used in box printing
Enables clean composting.

The above list is not exhaustive and we will continue to update this as a living document, but we’re proud of the actions we have taken here at The Heke. 

We are not perfect! We are open to feedback so after reading this, please send any feedback you may have to hello@theheke.co.nz