Whirika

What Whirika does

Whirika is a New Zealand-based environmental consulting firm founded in 2011 (originally as Ahikā Consulting, rebranded in 2024) that delivers integrated environmental solutions across eight service areas: energy, carbon, waste, biodiversity and restoration, GIS and modelling, community planning, catchment management, and food systems. The company serves communities, iwi and hapū, businesses, councils, and non-profits across Aotearoa New Zealand, structured around three regional hubs in Ōtepoti Dunedin (headquarters), Whakatū Nelson, and Tauranga Moana. Its work spans strategic advisory through to on-ground implementation, integrating mātauranga Māori with Western science across the full sustainability spectrum.

The firm operates a multidisciplinary practice of approximately 20 specialists — including ecologists, energy and carbon engineers, geospatial analysts, community planners, and food systems experts — and is differentiated by proprietary tools such as the Proof of Absence Assessment Tool (a spatially-explicit decision-support system for predator elimination endgame scenarios) and integration with FTP AI-enabled smart trap networks. Core technology includes GIS and spatial analysis, drone/UAV mapping, multispectral imagery, LiDAR, and ecological modelling, applied through project-based engagements rather than a software-as-a-service platform. Notable technical programmes include the Hūnua Forest native restoration (2,140+ hectares transitioning from pine to native forest with Watercare), predator control across 63,000+ hectares through Predator Free Dunedin, and bespoke emissions-reduction programmes for industrial clients (e.g., a 2 MW electric boiler at Preens avoiding 800+ tonnes CO₂-equivalent annually).

Commercially, Whirika generates revenue through multi-year project-based consultancy engagements with government agencies (EECA, DOC, regional councils), large enterprises (Danone, Mondelez, OceanaGold, Watercare), and iwi organisations. Pricing is bespoke per engagement, with EECA co-funding available to eligible clients. The firm is a Certified B Corporation, holds strategic governance roles across the Predator Free 2050 ecosystem, and operates without disclosed institutional investment, maintaining founder/management ownership.

Name

Whirika

Legal name

Whirika

Website

https://whirika.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Whirika is a New Zealand-based environmental consulting firm delivering integrated sustainability services across energy, carbon, waste, biodiversity, GIS, community planning, catchment management, and food systems for communities, iwi, businesses, councils, and non-profits across Aotearoa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH), Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

Keywords

• Environmental consulting services
• Carbon management consulting
• Biodiversity restoration services
• Sustainable energy advisory
• Community planning consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Dunedin

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Environmental Consulting Services: Professional consultancy services providing integrated environmental solutions across carbon reduction, bioenergy, waste minimisation, biodiversity, ecological restoration, integrated land use, and community development. Revenue generated through project-based consultancy engagements with government agencies, businesses, councils, iwi, and community organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Whirika is an Aotearoa New Zealand-based environmental consultancy delivering integrated professional services across nine areas: Energy, Carbon, Waste, Better Business, Biodiversity & Restoration, GIS & Modelling, Community Planning, Catchment Management, and Food Systems. The firm partners with communities, iwi, businesses, councils, and non-profits to co-create sustainability solutions spanning decarbonisation, bioenergy, biodiversity restoration, predator control, integrated land use, and community development. Work is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 20 staff operating from regional hubs in Dunedin, Nelson, and Tauranga.

Product overview

Whirika is an environmental consulting firm (formerly Ahikā Consulting) offering integrated environmental solutions across Aotearoa New Zealand. Rather than a single software product, Whirika provides a comprehensive suite of professional consulting services organised around eight core service areas: Energy Services, Carbon Services, Waste Services, Better Business Services, Biodiversity & Restoration Services, GIS & Modelling Services, Community Planning Services, Catchment Management Services, and Food Systems Services. These services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team and are tailored to support communities, iwi, businesses, councils, and non-profits in achieving sustainability outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Services Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonisation consulting including energy audits, feasibility studies, fossil fuel transition planning, bioenergy strategy, and solar PV assessments. Delivered for government, iwi, and industrial clients across New Zealand.
• Carbon Services Carbon footprint assessment, decarbonisation planning, offsetting/insetting, measurement and verification, ETS support, and farm GHG assessments for businesses, councils, and iwi organisations in New Zealand.
• Waste Services Waste reduction, resource recovery, and circular economy solutions including waste audits, recycling system design, waste management plans, SWAP audits, and kerbside recycling bin inspections for businesses and communities.
• Better Business Services Sustainability consulting including energy audits, operational waste reduction, carbon footprint assessment, B Corp certification support, sustainability strategy, and part-time sustainability support for New Zealand businesses.
• Biodiversity & Restoration Services Ecological restoration and conservation consulting including ecosystem protection, ecological surveys, restoration planning, native afforestation, biodiversity offsetting, forest carbon sequestration, biosecurity planning, and Predator Free 2050 initiatives.
• GIS & Modelling Services Geospatial analysis and visualisation services including geostatistics, spatial modelling, remote sensing, UAV/drone mapping, land use analysis, cartography, and web mapping applications.
• Community Planning Services Community-led planning and engagement services including community engagement, community-led development plans, catchment planning, and Ahu Whenua planning and engagement for communities and iwi.
• Catchment Management Services Integrated catchment planning and management services including strategic planning, catchment management plans, nature-based solutions, reserve management planning, and land use feasibility studies.
• Food Systems Services Food systems analysis and planning services including foodshed analyses, food system analysis, organic waste analysis, and agribusiness development for communities, iwi, and food processing clients.

Named customers20 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Halo ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Long-term delivery partner of Predator Free Dunedin leading possum elimination vision for Kāpuka taumāhaka/Mt Cargill and West Harbour zone. Activated FTP smart trap network with AI-enabled technology. Whirika's Rhys Millar provides strategic leadership to both organisations.
• EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Long-standing partnership with EECA for energy efficiency projects. EECA provides co-funding for energy audits and assessments (up to 100% for walk-through assessments, 40% for detailed reports). Whirika supports EECA's Regional Energy Transition Accelerator programme with biomass availability assessments. Partnership spans over a decade of collaborative work on industrial decarbonisation.
• Predator Free Dunedin TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhirika helped establish Predator Free Dunedin Trust and continues to provide strategic oversight and technical advice. The initiative brings together twenty groups and agencies including iwi, research institutes, government, and community groups. Whirika staff (Rhys Millar, Craig Wilson, Mike Thorsen, Rosie Olsen) serve in leadership roles.
• Landscape Connections TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two 'delivery partners' for Predator Free Dunedin alongside Dunedin City Council. Empowered with technical, strategic, financial, and communications expertise from Whirika. Partnership enables landscape-scale predator control across 63,000+ hectares.
• Watercare (Auckland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatercare purchased Hūnua Forest to protect Auckland's water supply. Whirika provides ongoing technical support for one of Aotearoa's largest native forest restoration projects, transitioning 2,140+ hectares of pine plantation to native forest.
• SolTunaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhirika is assessing biomass-fuelled steam and power generation project for Solomon Islands' largest tuna processing facility. Lloyd McGinty conducting detailed investigation for new greenfield project to replace diesel boilers with locally-sourced biomass.
• Otago PolytechnicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Otago Food Economy project creating toolkit for communities. Partnership developed Food Economy Toolkit to help towns explore capacity for sustainable local food production.
• Invercargill City CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffered disused propagation facilities to support establishment of Te Tapu o Tāne Ltd native plant nursery operated by Murihiku rūnanga.
• Optima Energy Management SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish metering programmes that inform correct energy transition pathway for businesses. Collaboration combines Whirika's technical expertise with Optima's energy management solutions.
• Biofuel Regions (Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish organisation funded by local councils to grow bioenergy sector. Whirika's Lloyd McGinty visited to learn from Swedish bioenergy expertise and share information. Connections provide access to European operating sites for client visits.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Pattle Delamore Partners (PDP): NZ environmental and engineering consultancy with strength in water, environmental, and resource management. Overlaps with Whirika across catchment management, environmental assessments, and sustainability consulting.
• Tonkin + Taylor: Large NZ environmental and engineering consultancy with deep expertise in environmental, water, and geotechnical services. Comparable to Whirika across environmental management, catchment planning, and resource consent work, but operates at significantly larger scale with broader service lines.
• WSP in New Zealand: Global professional services firm with significant NZ environmental and sustainability practice. Comparable to Whirika across advisory services for climate, energy, and biodiversity, particularly with government and large enterprise clients.
• Jacobs: Global environmental and sustainability consultancy with NZ operations. Directly comparable to Whirika across environmental advisory, climate resilience, and infrastructure-related sustainability work, with substantially greater scale.
• Beca Group: One of the largest NZ-headquartered engineering and advisory consultancies, with substantial environmental, sustainability, and climate services. Competes with Whirika for council, industrial, and government decarbonisation engagements, alongside broader infrastructure delivery.
• SLR Consulting: Global environmental and sustainability consultancy with a NZ presence. Competes with Whirika across environmental impact assessment, carbon, and sustainability advisory for industrial and government clients.

Direct peers

• Boffa Miskell: Specialist NZ environmental, planning, landscape architecture, and ecology consultancy. Highly comparable to Whirika across biodiversity, restoration, ecological surveys, and planning — making it one of the closest direct competitors in the NZ market.
• 4Sight Consulting: NZ environmental and planning consultancy with offices across NZ. Directly comparable to Whirika across resource management, environmental consulting, and community planning for councils and iwi.
• Wildlands Consultants: NZ ecology, biodiversity, and restoration consultancy working across both islands. Closely comparable to Whirika's Biodiversity & Restoration service line, including predator control, ecological surveys, and conservation planning.

Others

• Ecostore (NZ sustainability brand): While a product business rather than a consultancy, Ecostore is a leading NZ B Corp adjacent to Whirika's Better Business and B Corp advisory services. Whirika is well-positioned to advise similar NZ sustainability-led brands, making it a thematically related ecosystem player.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/whirika
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whirika

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whirika