March 14th 2012
Photo and Caption: Silverstream Lion Roy Peterson (Left) and Fastway Courier driver Carl Simons check in a tonne of old New Zealand
currency at Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Lions Clubs New Zealand’s nationwide campaign Heads Up for Kids reached a hefty milestone when its 10th tonne of coins
was delivered to the Reserve Bank on Tuesday.
Two containers weighing 500kgs each and valued at $19,000 weren’t full of regular cash, but out-of-date New Zealand
currency ranging from threepences and half crowns to large 50 cent pieces. The money has been collected throughout the
country as part of the Heads Up for Kids campaign which collects old money and foreign currency for the benefit of New
Zealand youth.
The money will be redeemed at face value for legal tender and will raise the total collected to NZ$300,000. These funds
are used to sponsor education programmes for New Zealand’s youth.
A number of young people have already benefited from the collection by receiving scholarships and funding to attend
Spirit of Adventure and the Sir Edmund Hilary Outdoor Pursuits Centres. They were nominated based on their positive
attitude toward their school and community.
The 10-tonne total is made up of old New Zealand money and foreign currency; the old New Zealand money is redeemed at
the Reserve Bank and the foreign money shipped to Australia by the tonne and exchanged. Copper and collectable coins are
sold for the metal and collectible values. Kind kiwis have been making donations at Resene stores nationwide and
selected New World supermarkets for the past 18 months, the cash is then collected and delivered by courier sponsor
Fastway to be counted in Wellington.
Roy Peterson of Silverstream Lions Club has been leading the counting and sorting of all cash donated; since he began he
has sorted more than 2.5 million foreign and old New Zealand coins and hundreds of banknotes. Among the millions of
coins he has discovered a range of unusual and rare commodities from tokens for Las Vegas strip clubs through to 18th
century francs and gold sovereigns.
“It’s an interesting project,” says Mr Peterson. “You never know what you will come across.”
Mr Peterson says that the Lions Clubs New Zealand aim to collect one million dollars and will continue to provide
positive experiences for good New Zealand kids who may not otherwise get the opportunity.
Donations can be made at Resene Colorshops nationwide and selected New World stores, or by calling 0800 Old Money for a
Lions Club member to collect.
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ENDS