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Shining a spotlight on IYC 2025: Media support and enquiries

The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025) highlights the vital role cooperatives and mutuals play in building a better world.

As the peak body for cooperatives and mutuals, Cooperative Business New Zealand is proud to lead New Zealand’s IYC 2025 celebrations.

For all media enquiries about IYC 2025 or for comment from our CEO, Saya Wahrlich, please contact:

About IYC 2025

IYC 2025, declared by the United Nations, celebrates the unique ability of cooperatives and mutuals to drive social and economic development.

With the theme “Cooperatives build a better world,” this global initiative puts a spotlight on how cooperatives address critical challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tractor harvesting cauliflower

Learn about cooperatives and mutuals

Cooperatives and mutuals are businesses formed to benefit their members, drawn from the stakeholders of the business such as customers, suppliers, employees or people in the local community.

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Media releases

Stay updated on IYC 2025 announcements and sector news.

Read Cooperative Business NZ’s media releases

Co-ops and mutuals in New Zealand

Co-ops and mutuals are some of our most enduring businesses and operate across much of the New Zealand economy. They are trusted household brands delivering trusted products and services in some of the most competitive domestic and international markets.

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Resources

Search for resources to learn about, set up and run a cooperative or mutual business.

Find out more

Get involved

As we celebrate IYC 2025, we invite the media to join us in highlighting the stories of co-operatives and mutuals making a difference in New Zealand and beyond.

About our CEO

Saya Wahrlich

CEO, Cooperative Business NZ

Saya Wahrlich was appointed Chief Executive Officer in February 2024.

Saya is passionate about businesses making a positive impact on New Zealand.

She is an experienced executive leader in organisations spanning not-for-profit, Government, tech export and high growth, listed and private multinationals and brings her experience supporting hundreds of Kiwi businesses spanning many sectors to now be a champion for co-operatives and mutuals in New Zealand.

Saya Wahrlich - CEO Cooperative Business NZ

Cooperatives and mutuals build a better world.