Harrison Grierson’s modern office reception desk.

B Corp Certification

HG is now a Certified B Corporation™

We set B Corp certification as a key measure in our strategy, so reaching this point is something we’re proud of. B Corp certification looks closely at how a company operates.

So, what does becoming a B Corp actually involve?

B Corp certification looks at more than one aspect of a business. Under B Lab’s new standards, B Corps are required to meet performance requirements across seven impact areas:

  • Climate Action

  • Environmental Stewardship & Circularity

  • Human Rights

  • Fair Work

  • Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

  • Purpose & Stakeholder Governance

  • Government Affairs & Collective Action

For us, that means looking at the bigger picture: how we operate as a business, how we support our people and communities, and how we continue improving our social and environmental impact.

The decisions we help our clients make today shape communities, infrastructure and places across Aotearoa for generations to come. Our purpose is delivering enduring spaces and places for Aotearoa, and we want the way we run HG to reflect that same long-term view.

We’re proud to join the global B Corp community and to be part of a movement of businesses working to have a positive impact through the way we operate.

The assessment also gives us a clear benchmark for where we are today and a framework to keep improving and measuring our progress over time.

A lot of work has gone into getting us here, and we’re taking a moment to celebrate the achievement and thank the many people across HG, past and present, who have helped make it possible.

For our clients, B Corp certification provides independently verified evidence of the business baehind our advice and services. It gives another level of confidence in how we operate, how we treat our people, the contribution we make to our communities and how we approach our environmental responsibilities.

Learn more at b.corp.com

For our people, it reflects the kind of company we want HG to be: somewhere we can do great work, look after our people and make a positive contribution through what we do.

Read more at b.corp.com

To read more about B Corp, you can visit their website here.

B Corp
Auckland city skyline, showcasing the urban landscape of New Zealand's Mt. Eden area, ideal for relocating to Harrison Grierson, 2023.

01

Climate Action

Taking action on the climate crisis.

We see acting on the climate crisis as a business necessity.

Harrison Grierson is identifying key areas within our operations and value chains to improve, and using a climate action plan to track progress.

· Large, X Large, and XXL B Corps are required to have a documented process to measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions annually and disclose the results publicly (CA1.1).

· B Corps are required to have a publicly available climate action plan (B Lab Standards CA2.1: applies to Companies without Workers; Micro; Small; and Medium companies in Years 0, 3, and 5).

· B Corps are required to make science-based targets, validated by the SBTi or verified by an independent third party, to make a just contribution to the global goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (B Lab Standards CA2.2: applies to Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large companies in Years 3 & 5).

· B Corps are required to create a climate transition plan to make a just contribution to the global goal of net zero emissions by 2050 (B Lab Standards CA2.3: applies to Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large companies in Years 3 & 5).

· B Corps are required to make progress on their climate action plan and evaluate its effectiveness (B Lab Standards CA3.3: applies to Companies without Workers, Micro, Small and Medium companies in Years 3 & 5; and CA3.4: for Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large companies in Year 5).

A group of individuals walking along the beach at New Brighton.

02

Environmental Stewardship & Circularity

Working towards a smarter use of nature’s resources

We take responsibility to understand our environmental impact, and take action to address negative impacts in order to contribute to an economy that preserves our natural resources. 

As a company, we take responsibility for our environmental footprint by monitoring our waste, water, and energy use, and prioritizing responsible procurement practices.

· B Corps are required to monitor waste production from their operations and where it ends up (B Lab Standards ESC1.1).*

· B Corps are required to monitor their energy use (B Lab Standards ESC1.2).*

· B Corps are required to monitor their water consumption or withdrawal (B Lab Standards ESC1.3).*

· B Corps assess the potential negative environmental impacts related to potential organizational clients and projects, and take necessary mitigation actions (B Lab Standards ESC2.6: applies to companies under Service with Minor Footprint sector).

· B Corps assess the potential negative environmental impacts of investments, and take necessary mitigation actions (B Lab Standards ESC2.7: applies to companies under Service with Minor Footprint sector).

· B Corps consider the actual and potential environmental impacts of procurement decisions (B Lab Standards ESC5.1 and ESC5.2).

· B Corps work with suppliers to prevent or mitigate their most material environmental impacts (B Lab Standards ESC5.3: applies to Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large companies in all sectors except Service with Minor Footprint).

*Excludes service with minor environmental footprint

Human Rights

03

Human Rights

Committed to respecting human rights.

We treat people with dignity and respect human rights, taking care to reduce harm caused by our company.

This company takes due diligence seriously, and we keep our eyes open to any negative impacts our businesses could have. We’re mindful of how our business impacts people — not just employees — and this responsibility is embedded in our culture and ways of working, including a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

· B Corps are required to commit publicly to respecting human rights (B Lab Standards HR1.1).

· B Corps are required to have a public human rights policy (B Lab Standards HR1.2).

At the Harrison Grierson office, a man enjoys a game of pool.

04

Fair Work

Building fair workplaces and good jobs

We are building a workplace culture that values, empowers, and listens to employees—because when workers thrive, companies do too.

To help our workers thrive, we provide good quality jobs and formal frameworks that encourage feedback from workers on decisions that affect them. This helps build an engaged and satisfied workforce that is more likely to contribute meaningfully to our company’s purpose, and ultimately, to a more equitable economy.

· 81.5% of B Corps already pay 100% of their employees an individual living wage, while 70.2% of B Corps pay 100% of employees a family living wage (B Lab (2025) Good Jobs Global Report), published 2025.

· B Corps with policies encouraging internal promotions report that more than 15% of employees were promoted in the last year, and actively facilitate external professional development compared to ordinary businesses

· All B Corps must tell workers how they set their wage, and what benefits they are entitled to

Harrison Grierson employees wearing their modern uniform with the Harrison Grierson logo.

05

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Building equity and justice into the workplace

In order to intentionally create a more equitable workplace, we take actions like inclusive hiring practices, meeting accessibility standards, and promoting diversity among suppliers.

We listen closely to our people and encourage feedback, then use what we learn to create plans to better live by JEDI principles—boosting innovation, satisfaction, and trust in our business.

· B Corps with at least 10 workers are required to facilitate a discussion or survey about JEDI principles in the workplace, in order to gather feedback on diversity and inclusion that can be used to shape JEDI actions (B Lab Standards JEDI1.1).

· B Corps are 4.5 times more likely to have supplier diversity programs supporting underrepresented populations, compared to ordinary businesses (B Lab Global 2024 Annual Report, published 2025).

· B Corps are 1.6 times more likely to have Boards of Directors composed of majority women or individuals from other underrepresented populations, compared to ordinary businesses (B Lab Global 2022 Annual Report, published 2023).

Harrison Grierson's meeting room, 2023.

06

Purpose & Stakeholder Governance

A purpose-led business for people and planet

We live by a clear and meaningful purpose that promotes a positive impact, and we consider the interests of all stakeholders — not just shareholders.

Our corporate purpose is what guides us, and we consider it when making business decisions. We use frameworks to make sure our stakeholders (including workers, customers, suppliers, the environment, local communities, and investors) are represented fairly.

· B Corps are required to establish a public purpose to make a meaningful positive impact (B Lab Standards PSG1.1).

· B Corps have a mechanism to consider or involve stakeholders and represent their interests in decision-making (B Lab Standards PSG2.1).

· B Corps have a stakeholder governance policy (B Lab Standards PSG2.2).

· B Corps are required to have the highest governing body monitor the company's purpose, social and environmental impact, and stakeholder considerations (B Lab Standards PSG5.1).

07

Government Affairs & Collective Action

Mobilizing the power of the collective

We work with others in our community to amplify our social and environmental impacts in ways that would be impossible alone. By joining forces with others, we can combine our expertise and resources and increase the impact and credibility of our actions. 

Contributing to these communities through collective action and responsible lobbying helps us to act beyond our own interests, and push for systemic change and a fairer economic system.

· B Corps are required to have a public policy on responsible lobbying (B Lab Standards GACA1.1).

· B Corps are required to publicly share their lobbying positions and political contributions each fiscal year (B Lab Standards GACA1.2).

· B Corps publicly share their lobbying positions and political contributions each fiscal year

“Sustainability is central to our purpose and strategic direction“

HG

LandID, Harrison Grierson's digital tool that can help you find and evaluate your next development opportunity.
At the Harrison Grierson office, a man enjoys a game of pool.

FAQ's

B Corp is a business certified by B Lab for meeting standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. B Corps are part of a global movement working towards an economy that benefits people, communities and the planet.

The ‘B’ stands for Benefit, reflecting the idea that business should benefit people and the planet alongside profit.  

The B Corp Standards are the requirements businesses need to meet to achieve and maintain B Corp certification. They provide a framework for businesses to understand, measure and demonstrate their social and environmental impact.

B Lab is the organisation behind B Corp certification and the wider B Corp movement. It works to help transform the global economy so that business benefits people, communities and the planet.

You can find more information about B Corp certification and the wider movement through B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand

Raising a concern or grievance

B Corp certification recognises organisations that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. As part of this journey, we are continuing to strengthen our policies, processes and stakeholder engagement practices.  Learn more about how stakeholders can raise a concern or grievance below.

Harrison Grierson is committed to operating ethically and responsibly. We provide a mechanism for all stakeholders — including employees, clients, partners, suppliers, contractors, iwi/hapū, community members and members of the public — to raise concerns or grievances relating to our organisation and its operations.

If you would like to raise a concern or grievance, you can do so by:

  • submitting an enquiry via the contact form and noting “grievance” or “concern” in your message; or

  • emailing us at [email protected].

If your concern involves a member of the Leadership Team, the Chief Executive, the Board, or you do not feel comfortable using the main channel, you may request an alternative escalation pathway by emailing [email protected] and noting “alternative escalation” in your message. In those cases, the concern will be directed to an appropriate independent or senior person who is not the subject of the concern.

All concerns are taken seriously and will be reviewed in line with our internal policies and processes, including our Whistleblower and Code of Conduct policies.

Where a concern relates to serious wrongdoing, suspected unlawful conduct, fraud, corruption, or a serious risk to health, safety or the environment, it may also be raised through HG’s confidential whistleblower pathway, including EAP Services’ Whistle-Blower Hotline on 0800 327 669.