Down to Earth
Consulting
Practical Solutions. Lasting Impact.
Grounded Sustainability delivers expert environmental management and planning services to clients across New Zealand. We’re here to help you navigate complex sustainability challenges and regulatory requirements with practical solutions and tailored support.
Who we work with
We make environmental planning and compliance easier to understand and manage. Whether you’re running a business, starting a new project, or working on the land, we help you meet environmental requirements—without the stress.
› Business & Industry
› Land use Projects
› Farmers & Growers
What we do
With real-world experience in farming, local government, and industry, we know how to navigate between policy and practicality, so you can make confident, informed decisions that work for your business and the environment. We offer down-to-earth advice and tailored support to help you:
Understand and meet resource consent conditions
Navigate local and national regulations
Balance sustainability with day-to-day operations
Improve long-term resilience by maintaining your licence to operate
Environmental Compliance for Business and Industry
We help clients stay on top of their environmental obligations with practical, proactive support. From managing Resource Consents to preparing for future demands, we make sustainability straightforward and stress-free.
Our advice is grounded by real-world experience rather than just theory. We’re focussed on helping your organisation thrive sustainability – practical solutions, not red tape.
Our services include:
- Collecting, analysing, and reporting environmental data
- Developing Environmental Management Plans (Noise, Construction, Trade Waste, Stormwater, etc.)
- Preparing annual reports to meet Resource Consent conditions
- Designing, implementing and auditing Environmental Management Systems (ISO14001)
- Creating standard operating procedures and manuals
- Staff training
- Short-term environmental role coverage
Farm Environmental Management
Grounded Sustainability keep our primary sector clients ahead of the curve of compliance requirements, with support that is practical and value-add. We recognise the demands on farmers and growers, and we’re here to help navigate the ever-changing environmental landscape and to take the hassle out of managing environmental compliance.
Our goal? Improve the long-term resilience of your business by supporting with outcomes that improve your bottom-line as well as the environment – better nutrient management, water efficiency and waste reduction.
Our services include:
- Resource Consent applications for Land Use, Water Take and Discharge activities.
- Compliance frameworks to track and fulfil Resource Consent, Regional Plan and industry monitoring and reporting requirements.
- Environmental sampling, including soil and surface water.
- Environmental compliance data collection, collation and analysis.
- Developing Farm Environment Plans, and support with getting actions completed.
- Staff training and documenting procedures.
- Liaison with stakeholders, including Regional Councils.
Planning & Resource Management
Whether you’re starting a new project or renewing an existing consent, we guide you through the planning process with clarity and confidence. No matter how big or small, we take a pragmatic approach to understanding your environmental planning needs and assisting you with the application process.
Our services include:
- Preliminary assessments to provide you with an overview of consenting and regulatory requirements for your specific activity.
- Preparing Resource Consent applications for Land Use, Water Take and Discharge activities.
- Liaison with stakeholders, including Regional and District Councils, Iwi and Mana Whenua, and Fish & Game.
- Project management for more complex applications, including engagement and linkage with technical specialists as required.
Articles and Resources
Get a head start with our library of free information and topical articles
Quick Wins for Improving Farm Environmental Performance
Improving farm environmental performance doesn’t always require big investments. In fact, many of the most effective improvements are simple, low-cost, and practical — the kinds of tweaks that fit…
Dairy Effluent System Failures: How to Avoid Common Causes
If you read the newspapers, you’ll know that effluent management is one of the most important — and most closely watched — parts of dairy farming in New Zealand. When systems run well, they recycle…
What You Need to Know about Environmental Compliance
The Resource Management Act (RMA) includes provisions for monitoring and enforcing compliance. In August 2025, the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act was passed…