20 June 2017
Media Release
Win Seed Capital for Social Enterprise in Greater Auckland
The Rotary Club of Newmarket and the Ākina Foundation have joined forces for a second year to kick-start social
enterprises in the greater Auckland region with a chance to win $10,000 in cash.
Ākina Foundation Chief Executive, Alex Hannant, welcomed the continued partnership.
“The Rotary Club of Newmarket is a pioneer in philanthropy in New Zealand – they have been a supporter of some of New
Zealand’s most valued social causes and it’s fantastic to see them, for the second year running, launch their Social
Enterprise Kick-start Award.”
Rotary Newmarket is providing $10,000 for the top venture.
Rotary Newmarket’s, President, Simon Dalton said, “following our very successful first Social Enterprise Challenge won
by Resource Rescue we are delighted to partner with Ākina again to offer Social Enterprises seed capital or a kick-start
to build their enterprises.”
“As well as providing a cash injection at a time when it makes a real difference, Rotary members offer ongoing support.
We can open doors to our networks, provide advice on accessing markets, plus with our members’ wide skill-base and
experience, we can assist with hands on mentoring. This was demonstrated last year with our inaugural challenge when a
number of the enterprises, as well as the winner, benefitted from our members connections and knowledge” said Mr.
Dalton.
Mr. Dalton said that the Rotary Club of Newmarket was one of NZ’s most innovative Rotary clubs. The partnership with
Ākina was seen as an opportunity to forge greater links with the wider community and connect with new organisations that
have a sustainable social enterprise model.
“Rotary has long been a donation giver, however social enterprise presents new opportunities for Rotary to connect with
the community and younger people who want to give back to their communities. Social enterprise and Rotary are on the
same track and the partnership with Ākina is a way to intersect with a new vibrant emerging sector that is committed to
Rotary’s fundamentals of doing good in their communities,” Mr. Dalton said.
“Many of our members are involved in social enterprises and in recent times we have become aware of the burgeoning
social enterprise sector from speakers to our club such as Guy Ryan, Young New Zealander of the Year and Inspiring
Stories founder, Alex Hannant, CEO Ākina, and Janette Searle, Take My Hands Trust founder,” Mr. Dalton said.
“In another innovative initiative by our club we have just established associate membership. Janette is one of first
associate members and is on the committee driving this seed capital kickstarter. Also a number of last year’s finalists
have joined as associate members,” Mr. Dalton said.
The Rotary Club of Newmarket was established in 1945 and distributes more than $100,000 per annum to the community and
charitable causes. Significant milestones for the club have been the Rotary Centennial Walkway on Motutapu Island, a 25
year involvement with the Motutapu Island Restoration Trust, an Oncology Award for Cancer Research in partnership with
the University of Auckland, the annual Circus Quirkus for underprivileged children, and giving 3D printers to low decile
schools. Just recently a partnership with the Howard League has been formed to give pictorial dictionaries to prisoners
graduating from literacy programmes.
Mr. Hannant said that the Ākina team was excited about this continued opportunity to support social entrepreneurs,
thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the Rotary Club of Newmarket.
“We are hopeful this successful partnership will challenge other service groups to get in behind social enterprise as an
innovative way to approach our complex social and environmental challenges,” said Mr. Hannant.
Applications are open to all social enterprises, whether early-stage, start-up or more established. To qualify,
applicants must be resident in the greater Auckland region although their social enterprise organisation or project may
have a local, national, or global impact. Applicants are required to submit a three-minute video along with a short
online application form.
Applications for the Rotary Club of Newmarket Social Enterprise Kick-start open on 1 July 2017. Express your interest
via email (rotary.kickstart@akina.org.nz) or apply via www.akina.org.nz/rotaryakl2017.
ENDS