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Mazda provides kiwis with a helping hand
11 November 2013
Mazda provides kiwis with a helping hand
The Mazda Foundation has donated more than $51,000 to 20 individuals and groups from around New Zealand as part of the Foundation’s final 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.
A combination of individuals, schools, conservation programs, charities and clubs were granted much needed funding from the Foundation, including the Boyle Village Conservation Group which received $3,000 to purchase 20 new predator traps for the local area.
Situated near Christchurch, at the intersection of the Boyle River, the small village comprises of approximately 20 homes. The conservation group was set up by members of the Boyle community who wanted to protect the native bird population in the area.
The group is aiming to set predator traps over the nearby forested landscape in an effort to reduce the impact of stoats, possums and other predators on the local birdlife. Specially designed New Zealand traps have been selected to suit the unique requirements of the project. The traps are self-resetting and can kill up to 12 possums and 24 stoats before having to be reloaded therefore requiring less maintenance.
“The generous grant from the Mazda Foundation will allow us to make such a difference to the local area,” says Aaron Penman, Co-ordinator of the Boyle Village Conservation Group.
“The local birdlife is vitally important to this area. We have a lot of New Zealand native and endangered birds living around the village that provide us with beautiful birdsong. The landowners in the village are really passionate about safeguarding our native birdlife for generations to come.”
Another charity to receive support in this round of funding is Heart for Youth Trust, an Auckland based charitable trust that aims to teach youth and young adults life skills, self-esteem and encourage personal growth.
As part of what they do the trust takes groups of young people away on a “kiwi camping” holiday experience which focuses on outdoor pursuits such as, bush walking and tramping. The camping trips aim to teach the students about self-esteem, how to build their confidence and also educate them on the environment.
The grant from the Mazda Foundation will allow the trust to purchase a trailer to transport the tents and camping equipment to each destination.
“The Mazda Foundation’s grant will enable the trust to purchase a much needed trailer. It will be extremely useful as it will mean we no longer have to hire additional vehicles to transport the equipment which is very costly,” says Ross McCook, Founding Director of Heart For Youth Charitable Trust.
“The trust only launched 12 months ago and in this short space of time we have already witnessed the great benefits that our kiwi camps provide to the youth that attend. We hope to have the trailer up and running in time for our Christmas and New Year camps.”
Andrew Clearwater, Chairman of the Mazda Foundation, says the Foundation is delighted 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 support to so many worthwhile causes from all across the country. We receive a large number of applications each round from so many inspirational kiwis doing fantastic work within their communities; it makes the judging process incredibly difficult.
Whether it’s safeguarding our valuable native wildlife or equipping our youth with the valuable life skills they need to grow into well-rounded adults, it’s always humbling to see just how much good work goes on across the country.”
The Mazda Foundation has now distributed over $1,500,000 to 410 recipients since its establishment in 2005. The Foundation is funded through a contribution from the sale of every new Mazda in New Zealand.
The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is 31 March 2014. For more information or to download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz.
Below is a full list of Mazda Foundation grant recipients.
| Name | Organisation | Description of application | City | Amount ($) |
| Sarah Hall | Avonhead Playcentre | Funding for mats to provide safe and comfortable play areas for children attending the Playcentre. | Christchurch | $1,147.39 |
| Aaron Penman | Boyle Village Conservation Group | Funding to assist with the purchase of predator traps to protect and improve the native birdlife in the area surrounding Boyle Village. | Christchurch | $3,000.00 |
| Tarma Jensen | Clevedon Kindergarten | Funding to purchase a variety of musical equipment to begin a music area at the kindergarten. | Auckland | $2,139.86 |
| Rosalind Elder | Edith’s Garden | Funding to create a warm, safe and welcoming garden facility for those in the community with a disability. | Auckland | 2,800.00 |
| Ross McCook | Heart for Youth Trust | Support for a youth programme which teaches children about 'kiwi camping'. Funding for the cost of a trailer to transport tents & equipment. | Auckland | 4,155.40 |
| Chris Paulin | Individual | Funding to publish 500-1,000 copies of a field guide about the coastal marine animals and of the Taputeranga Marine Reserve. The book will be distributed to groups of students in the Wellington region. | Wellington | $5,000.00 |
| Devon Melia | Individual | Funding to purchase a hydrotherapy massage jet spa pool for her 3 year-old daughter who has been diagnosed with Bethlem Myopathy. The jet spa will help to develop muscle strength and tone. | Waipu | $7650.00 |
| Liz Cassidy-Nelson | Individual | To fund attendance for Liz Cassidy-Nelson and her son at the Beckwith Weidemann Syndrome Conference in Sydney. Liz’s son was born with a rare condition and the conference provides a valuable opportunity to meet with American specialists. | Whangarei | $1,455.77 |
| Michael Fagg | Karori Community Centre | Funding to purchase a new fridge freezer and microwave oven to help with the centre’s drop-in lunch service. | Wellington | $904.00 |
| Kerrie Hodgson | Life Education Trust Otago | Funding for a replacement pull-apart torso (PAT) as a teaching aid in health based education programmes that the trust runs. | Dunedin | $2,185.00 |
| Wanita Astle | Lumsden Playcentre | Funding of games & puzzles to extend the learning facilities for three and four year olds that attend the centre. | Lumsden | $452.13 |
| Shane Smith | Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club Inc | Funding to upgrade four portable radios to improve the club’s communications capability when carrying out duties. | Papamoa | $4,118.98 |
| Karen Singers | Perry Outdoor Education Trust | Funding to purchase two replacement mountain bikes to allow the trust to deliver outdoor education experiences for students from low decile secondary schools. | Hamilton | $2,000.00 |
| Lisa Hawes | Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust | Funding to purchase a number of dog crates, which are used at the Kennel and Training facility for keeping puppies safe during the day and night and for the transportation of the dogs. | Auckland | $900.00 |
| Karen Fraser Pay | Touch Compass Dance Trust | Funding to allow the trust to purchase an expandable safety barrier to keep participants safe during the summer months and a large mobile whiteboard for the sight impaired participants. | Auckland | $2,195.06 |
| Julie Levell | Waipu Surf Life Saving Club | Funding for a new motor for an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB). | Waipu | $6,176.00 |
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