Tonkin & Taylor audit letter
Assurance Statement
Tonkin & Taylor Ltd has independently verified and validated non-financial information presented in Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research's 2005 Annual Report.
What we have done
We completed our assurance assignment following international auditing standards (including ISO 19011, AA 1000 Assurance and AS/NZS 5911(Int):2005). We applied the principles of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. We reviewed draft and revised versions of text to be included in the Report, examined data sources and explored the selection and interpretation of data and information in discussions with managers and staff. We reported to the Audit & Compliance Committee of the Manaaki Whenua Board and we prepared a detailed assurance report, which will be available on the Manaaki Whenua website.
What we have concluded
The 2005 Annual Report provides a fair and balanced disclosure of Manaaki Whenua's sustainability performance. The Report and the reporting processes are consistent with the principles of the GRI Guidelines. The non-financial information in the Report is complete, relevant, clear and neutrally presented. Data in the Report are accurate and auditable. Data are comparable and explanations are provided where data are not directly comparable with previously reported results.
The Report and its supporting information are transparent. In this year's Report, Manaaki Whenua significantly enhanced transparency by including information about the processes and criteria used to select information to be included in the Report, and to ensure that this information is relevant and material to Manaaki Whenua's sustainability and its Mission. In response to stakeholder feedback, this year's Report includes extensive information on governance, on business risks and how these were managed, and on business strategies. This demonstrates Manaaki Whenua's inclusive approach to reporting, recognising the needs of its key stakeholders and those of wider readers.
Manaaki Whenua has presented its non-financial performance, and its research in particular, soundly in the context of wider sustainability and the organisation's progress towards its mission of "making a difference for a truly clean, green and sustainable New Zealand". In this year's Report, we see significant environmental sustainability themes emerging from the 50-year Vision and Manaaki Whenua's research programmes, and being followed through in the research reported.
Leadership and Challenges
Manaaki Whenua continues to demonstrate international leadership in sustainability reporting, this year including significant new information on governance matters and on processes to determine the materiality of reported material. Manaaki Whenua has also recognised the challenge it faces in managing its human capability and knowledge capital at a strategic level, to ensure its own sustainability in its new research funding environment and in line with its business strategy's focus on commercialisation.
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| Marje Russ Senior Auditor |
Joan Baker Management Consultant |
Tonkin & Taylor Ltd - Environmental & Engineering Consultants,
19 Morgan St, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand
PO Box 5271, Wellesley St, Auckland 1036, Ph: 64-9-355 6000, Fax: 64-9-307
0265, Email: auck@tonkin.co.nz, Website: www.tonkin.co.nz