PRISMSS Restoring Island Resilience Awards Sponsored by Air New Zealand
Turning corporate sustainability into frontline conservation impact
Partner: Air New Zealand
What We Did
Flinch helped the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) to secure a NZ$50,000 sponsorship from Air New Zealand for the inaugural PRISMSS Restoring Island Resilience Awards.
These awards recognise six outstanding Pacific NGOs working to control invasive species and restore island ecosystems: Each organisation received NZ$5,000 grants to support immediate conservation actions, while the overall winner receives an additional NZ$15,000 to scale up invasive species management initiatives.
Through strategic storytelling, partnership development and media engagement, the awards have helped highlight the critical role Pacific NGOs play in protecting biodiversity, restoring ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience across island communities.
Challenge
Invasive species — including rats, feral cats, wild pigs and invasive plants — are among the greatest threats to biodiversity across the Pacific.
They undermine forests, reefs and freshwater ecosystems that support livelihoods, food security and cultural identity for Pacific communities.
Local NGOs are often the first line of defence, carrying out predator control, monitoring wildlife, and working directly with communities to protect ecosystems. Yet their work frequently receives limited visibility and funding.
The challenge was to mobilise new support while elevating the leadership of Pacific NGOs, demonstrating that locally led conservation delivers measurable results for biodiversity, climate resilience and community wellbeing.
Strategy
Flinch positioned the awards as a platform for recognition, investment and storytelling.
We developed a strategic partnership with Air New Zealand that aligned with the airline’s sustainability and regional engagement goals while directly supporting frontline conservation action.
The programme highlighted Pacific NGOs as leaders of conservation innovation, showcasing how community-driven approaches can successfully tackle invasive species.
Through media engagement, regional collaboration and storytelling, the awards linked biodiversity protection with broader outcomes including climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem restoration.
Impact
- NZ$50,000 sponsorship secured from Air New Zealand
- Six Pacific NGOs awarded NZ$5,000 grants for immediate conservation action
- NZ$15,000 grand prize to scale up invasive species management
- Increased visibility for Pacific NGO leadership in ecosystem restoration
- Strong regional media coverage highlighting community-led conservation
- Expanded recognition of invasive species management as a key climate resilience strategy across the Pacific