21 August 2013
New Zealanders benefit from Mazda Foundation grants
The Mazda Foundation has donated more than $56,000 to 19 individuals and groups from around New Zealand as part of the
Foundation’s second round of funding for 2013.
Each year, the Mazda Foundation holds three funding rounds and selects New Zealanders, community groups and charities
that are in need of support.
This round, a combination of individuals, schools, charities and clubs were granted much needed funding from the
Foundation, including the Fitzroy Surf Life Saving Club which has received $2600 to purchase four new rescue boards for
their Junior Surf members.
With more than 15,000 kms of New Zealand coastline, developing a strong culture of water safety is of high importance
and that is what Fitzroy Surf Club are trying to achieve. The club educates junior members around how to behave in and
around the beach environment as well as developing their rescue and first aid techniques.
Unfortunately, with 120 Junior Surf members there has been insufficient equipment to service all of the members and
provide them with the robust training required to become a Surf Lifesaver. Four new 8’10” foam boards were required to
proficiently service the Junior Surf Lifesaving season, which begins in October.
“With the help of the Mazda Foundation’s generous grant we’re looking forward to a terrific new season and the ability
to accommodate more of our Junior Surf members with the best possible training to become heroes on our beaches,” says
Emma Crofskey, Fundraising Coordinator at Fitzroy Surf Club.
“This donation is not just helping our club, but everyone who spends time on New Zealand’s beaches. We help our members
to develop the skills required to save the lives of others across the country from one of nature’s most forceful
environments.”
Another charity to receive support in this round of funding is Wellington City MenzShed, a trust that provides an
environment where older, isolated men of Wellington are able to find companionship, develop new skills and make use of a
workshop to benefit society at large.
With funding from the Mazda Foundation, MenzShed are able to pay for the maintenance of workshop equipment, ensuring
that tools are working efficiently and are safe for the men who use them.
Wellington City MenzShed Secretary, John Shrapnell, says “We’re so grateful to receive assistance for the second year in
a row. Last year the Mazda Foundation helped us to equip the workshop with essential tools, and this year we are able to
keep them maintained and purchase consumables such as bolts and screws that will help us to deliver on projects that
will benefit the community.
“I wish that everyone could see the affect these projects have on the men we care for at City MenzShed. It can be
incredibly depressing for a man to believe he’s no longer valued in society, but working on a community project helps to
restore their self-esteem and sense of belonging. We have just completed two timber glasshouse frames for the Aro Valley
Community Centre and it’s not hard to spot the smiles around the workshop.”
Andrew Clearwater, Chairman of the Mazda Foundation, says the Foundation is thrilled to be able to assist with such a
wide variety of projects across New Zealand.
“The Mazda Foundation is very grateful to be in a position to provide assistance to these worthy causes around the
country. Each year we receive so many applications from inspirational kiwis that would benefit from the Foundation’s
assistance and we wish we could accommodate them all.
Whether it’s saving lives on New Zealand’s beaches or providing support to our older citizens, it’s amazing to see the
benefit these grants are having in our communities. We hope to be in a position to continue and grow our support of
these deserving groups and individuals for a long time to come.”
Other grants this round include funding to purchase musical instruments for the students of Mangawhai Beach Primary
School, security alarms for the Te Whakaruruhau Maori Women’s Refuge, and an insulin pump for a six-year-old who suffers
from Type 1 Diabetes.
The Mazda Foundation has now distributed $1,448,980.55 to 389 recipients since its establishment in 2005. The Foundation
is funded through a contribution from the sale of every new Mazda in New Zealand.
The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is 30 September 2013. For more information or to
download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz.
Full list of Mazda Foundation grant recipients
Name Organisation Description of application City Amount ($) Jennifer McLennan Achylleus McLennan Funding to purchase and insulin pump for Achylleus, a six-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he
was five. Auckland $8000 Catherine Davies SPCA Auckland Funding to purchase 10 Samsung tablets to support call out staff when they are making trips to houses. They currently
have no access to the ‘petnet’ system and have to travel back to the office to check any required records. Auckland $7131.26 Valerie Wong CCS Disability Action Funding to purchase two new iPad 2 tablets for the staff to use apps that will be very beneficial to the children with
disabilities they are working with. Auckland $1694 Shubha Narayan Nova Montessori Funds will go towards developing a permaculture garden for Nova Montessori School. This development was started after
the Christchurch earthquakes to help create a sustainable community. Christchurch $1500 Marja Blom Addington.net Funds to purchased three new Andriod tablets to make ICT accessible for children in the Addington Community. Christchurch $700 Mary Andrew St. Clair Surf Lifesaving Club Funds to purchase four new racing paddle boards for the junior members to train and compete on. The skills learnt by the
junior’s help prepare them for patrol on the local beaches. Dunedin $5000 Craig Sharp North Street School Funds to purchase eight sewing machines for the schools technology program. This will provide the students with an
opportunity to work in textile design and develop skills that are valued in the community. Fielding $2560 Haylee Turner Wanderers Sports Club Funds will go towards 17 tracksuits and associated sports bags helping to reinforce the values associated with the
women’s development squad. Hamilton $2018 Debra Galbraith Te Whakaruruhau Maori Womens Refuge Funds will go towards the purchase and monitoring of three silent panic alarms to help with the protection of families
who are at high risk. Hamilton $2902.50 Lorna Wakefield Mangawhai Beach School Funds to purchase an electric guitar, amplifier and sound mixer. Not only will this contribute to the musical education
of the Mangawhai students, but it has cultural benefits for the community. Mangawhai $1484.78 Emma Crofskey Fitzroy Surf Club Funds to purchase four new rescue boards for the Junior Surf members to learn and practice their lifesaving skills. New Plymouth $2600 Yvonne Baldock Coastguard Opotiki Funds will go towards upgrading the electronics of the Opotiki rescue boat. This will not only contribute to the safety
of swimmers and boaties, but the volunteers themselves. Opotiki $5000
ENDS