19th February 2008
Max Foundation for New Zealand Women
Max Fashions launched the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women at Clooney in Auckland today (19th February 2008). The
Foundation is a fund that supports individuals and initiatives whose actions inspire and enhance the wellbeing and
advancement of New Zealand women.
Each year Max pledges to donate at least $75,000 to the Foundation, with the recipients of the first initial donation of
$25,000 announced today. Trustees Mary Devine (MD of Max Fashions Ltd), Kerre Woodham (broadcaster), Megan McChesney
(Editor in Chief Woman’s Day), and Ella Henry (best known as anchor of TV series Ask your Auntie) presented cheques to
deserving recipients. The recipients are the Taonga Education Centre Teenage Parent Unit in South Auckland, Tanya Black
an Attitude TV researcher and presenter who broke her spine two years ago and as a paraplegic is confined to a
wheelchair;
Look Good Feel Better who run free cosmetic and skincare workshops, designed to improve the quality of life for cancer
patients throughout New Zealand; and Max staff member, Sophie Prebble who will be receiving funding to cover course fees
for her Masters of Creative Writing in Scriptwriting at Victoria University.
Former Silver Fern Adine Wilson is also an advisory trustee but was unable to attend today’s event.
Max has been operating for 22 years and has over that time supported various non-profit organizations and individuals
that benefit woman. In this spirit Max has created the charitable trust known as the Max Foundation for New Zealand
Woman to provide a vehicle for all sponsorship and support strategies.
Rather than align to one specific non-profit organization, the Max Foundation is accessible to all NZ women whoever they
are, wherever they are.
Any person, who would like themselves, their group or organization, to be considered for Foundation funding should go
online to www.max.co.nz.
Background Foundation Recipients
Look Good Feel Better runs free cosmetic/skincare workshops for cancer patients throughout New Zealand. The workshops
are specifically designed to improve the quality of life of cancer patients by helping restore lost confidence and self
esteem to those women who are dealing with the appearance related side effects of cancer treatment.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women has pledged $5k of support to Look Good Feel Better which will fund promotional
material to raise awareness of the programme.
Two years ago Tanya Black (aged 34 years) was running her own wine bar in High St in the central city and living in a
converted warehouse nearby. One night she slipped and fell down 18 steps, and broke her spine. As a paraplegic
permanently confined to a wheelchair her life was changed forever. Tanya is now working part time as both a researcher
and reporter with Attitude, a TV series representing issues and interests of Kiwis with disabilities.
Max has donated $5k to Tanya so that she can attend the Australian Film and Television School short course including a
wardrobe to the value of $1500. Max would also like to acknowledge Robyn Scott-Vincent and the fantastic team at
Attitude for their continued support for Tania and others who are living and working with disability.
In 2002 the Taonga Education Centre Teenage Parent Unit was created to enable young teenage mothers the opportunity to
ensure their own lives and personal development continue to evolve without comprising that of their children’s.
One of the wonderful opportunities given to the young women at the Taonga is the chance to complete the Young New
Zealanders Challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Te Wero Taiohi o Aotearoa). This international programme is made
available in New Zealand through the Challenge NewZ non-profit organisation. While ultimately rewarding, the programme
demands commitment from its participants as it mentors them through their Bronze, Silver and Gold levels where they
complete challenges in an array of skill based activity ranging from physical pursuits to community service.
Max continues to support the Taonga Education Centre Teenage Parent Unit in South Auckland through 2008, with $10k to
enable the Young New Zealanders Challenge to be offered.
Max staff member, Sophie Prebble is one of ten people to be accepted for the Masters of Creative Writing in Script
writing at Victoria University. She has spent the summer working at Max and saving for her study, and will continue
working there part time while she studies. Sophie recently completed a Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Theatre and English.
Max has pledged $4723 to cover Sophie’s Master course fees.
ENDS