Media Release
29 May, 2012
Mazda Foundation Begins Another Year Of Grants
The Mazda Foundation has donated over $50,000 to 16 individuals and groups from around New Zealand, as part of the
Foundation’s first round of funding for 2012.
Each year, the Mazda Foundation holds three funding rounds and selects deserving New Zealanders, community groups and
charities that are in need of assistance.
This round, a combination of 16 individuals and groups with different causes was granted funding, including Assistance
Dogs New Zealand and The Photoplayer Restoration Trust.
Assistance Dogs New Zealand provides suitably trained service dogs to assist, primarily, children disabled through
autism.
The not-for-profit organisation received a $1,035 grant to purchase equipment for the training and maintenance of the
dogs, including harnesses, leads, brushes and toys.
Julie Hancox, Assistance Dogs New Zealand’s trainer, says, “Assistance dogs enrich the lives of people with disabilities
by helping them to live independently, enabling mobility, and providing companionship. In many cases the addition of an
assistance dog to these children’s lives has encouraged benefits beyond the expected, including improved verbal skills
and an increased capacity for empathy and love.”
Each assistance dog goes through a comprehensive training program, which takes approximately six months. The training
includes a temperament assessment, basic obedience, social behaviour, home behaviour and specific task training. The
equipment needed for the dogs during this training is essential - having adequate equipment supports the dogs in their
training and helps to enable positive outcomes for the children and their families.
The Photoplayer Restoration Trust has received a $4,150 grant to begin the restoration of New Zealand’s only known
photoplayer.
A photoplayer is a musical instrument built between 1913 and 1927, specifically for playing during silent movies. The
instrument consists of a piano, tambourine, drums and organ pipes, and also includes sound effects needed to accompany
any silent movie.
The Mazda Foundation grant will go towards the purchase and transportation, from America to New Zealand, of original
Wurlitzer photoplayer plans. These plans will be used to help restore New Zealand’s only remaining photoplayer.
Don Paynter of the Photoplayer Restoration Trust, says, “We believe that the history, uniqueness, and ties to the cinema
in New Zealand make this photoplayer an instrument of national importance and as such a treasure that needs to be
preserved for future generations.”
When the restoration work is complete the photoplayer will be stored in the Deluxe Theatre, Opotiki, and will sing again
during the Opotiki Silent Film Festival and other civic occasions.
The photoplayer has been registered with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage as an Object of Significant National
Importance.
Andrew Clearwater, Chairman of the Mazda Foundation, says the Foundation is thrilled to be able to assist such a wide
variety of projects throughout New Zealand.
“Every round of funding we are humbled and fascinated by the incredible tasks New Zealanders are undertaking – from
Assistance Dogs New Zealand helping the lives of children with disabilities, to The Photoplayer Restoration Trust
working to restore and preserve New Zealand’s history. The Foundation is so grateful to be in a position where we can
help these deserving groups and individuals,” says Clearwater.
Other grants this round include funding to purchase native plants for a wetland enclosure in Ashburton, new musical
instruments for the West City Junior Band Program, and an insulin pump for a seven-year-old who suffers from type 1
diabetes.
The Mazda Foundation has now distributed over $1,208,000 to more than 311 recipients since its establishment in late
2005.
The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is 30 June 2012. For more information or to
download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz.
Please see over for a full list of Mazda Foundation grant recipients.
Mazda Foundation Recipients – March 2012NameOrganisationDescription of applicationCityAmount $Jocelyn BairdLife Education Trust CanterburyFunding to purchase uniform polos and shirts for staff and trustees to wear at fundraising events and the organisation’s
activities. Christchurch$852.00Nao GuyYouthline ManukauFunding to support the purchase of six new computers for the homework centre at the new Youthline Manukau Youth and
Community Centre.Auckland$4,800.00Tanya and Paul FongFong FamilyFunding for an insulin pump for their son Kambell, who suffers from type 1 diabetes. Paraparaumu$7,500.00Carolyn CoxNapier Riding for the DisabledFunding to cover one year’s annual ACC levy charge.Napier$6,269.79Lisa PoulsenHalcombe PlaycentreFunding to purchase science equipment to extend children’s learning.Feilding$751.50Julie HancoxAssistance Dogs NZFunding to purchase equipment such as harnesses, leads, brushes, and toys.Te Awamutu$1,035.00Ben AitkenRiverbridge Native Species TrustFunding to purchase native plants for a wetland enclosure. These native plants will help to re-establish a native
habitat within the wetland.Ashburton$2,000.00Joanne CarterHenderson Intermediate SchoolFunding for musical instruments for the West City Junior Band Program.Auckland$2,500.00Stephanie HumphriesStyx Living Laboratory TrustFunding to assist with the purchase of equipment needed to establish a volunteer community bird monitoring group in the
Styx River catchment.Christchurch$1,253.96Don PaynterThe Photoplayer Restoration TrustFunding towards the purchase and transportation, from America to New Zealand, of original Wurlitzer photoplayer plans.
These plans will be used to help restore New Zealand’s only remaining photoplayer.Opotiki$4,150.00Katy CraibAddington SchoolFunding towards making new uniforms for Te Tipuranga (Maori and Pacifika Performing Arts Group).Christchurch$2,000.00Andrea NicholsonKatikati Primary SchoolFunding towards tracksuits for the Katikati Primary School Kapa Haka group. The tracksuits will help the group represent
the school and feel a sense of pride. Katikati$2855.00Robyn MurchPeel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Charitable TrustFunding to assist with the purchase of radio communications equipment. This equipment will be used for communication
between groups working together in the field, allowing contact at all times, as well as communication in emergencies.Geraldine$3,862.61Michele WatsonMosston SchoolFunding to purchase three ‘It’s All in the Box’ kits to assist with achieving writing targets in the school.Wanganui$1,887.30Rochelle CantNewcastle KindergartenFunding to purchase a beehive for the kindergarten to teach children about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.Ngaruawahia$750.00Trudi BrocasArohanui Special SchoolFunding to purchase sensory equipment for the children at Arohanui Special School. Sensory equipment helps develop
students’ senses, and encourages new learning.Auckland$8,307.1516$50,774.31
ENDS