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 PRISMSS reposition invasive species management as one of the most powerful nature-based climate resilience solutions for the Pacific Islands region.
The result is the PRISMSS Restoring Island Resilience Awards – a new programme celebrating and supporting organisations working on invasive species management across the Pacific. Flinch secured a NZ$50,000 sponsorship from Air New Zealand to launch these inaugural awards.
Six Pacific NGOs have been nominated for their work restoring island ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. Each will receive NZ$5,000 to support their on-the-ground efforts, while the overall winner will receive an additional NZ$15,000 to help expand their work.
This initiative is part of Flinch’s ongoing collaboration with PRISMSS to scale up regional action against invasive species – helping to restore fragile ecosystems while supporting community livelihoods, green jobs and ecotourism opportunities.
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