Media release 15 September 2008

Community projects nationwide benefit from Transpower’s CommunityCare Fund

Transpower announced today that 23 community organisations throughout New Zealand will benefit from $598,300 of funding from its CommunityCare Fund. The projects funded span eight regions, including Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Central North Island, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. Some of the successful projects include:

• $32,000 to the Computer Clubhouse Trust in Manukau to assist with the set up of a flagship “Clubhouse 274” facility - a learning and technology centre where children, youth and their families have access to learning technology, career programmes and mentoring services

• $30,000 to the Hunua Rural Volunteer Fire Service towards completion of their new fire and civil defence station • $25,000 to the National Wetlands Trust in the Waikato towards completion of plans for a state-of-the-art national wetland centre at Rangiriri • $38,000 to Tirorangi Marae to facilitate the restoration of the Te Turi O Te Muri Motu Pataka – the only one of its kind in the Waimarino District • $60,000 to the Kapiti District Council for design and construction of the Jim Cooke Park Bridge over the Waikanae River, which will link walking tracks and recreation areas on both sides of the river • $9,300 to the St Andrews School in South Canterbury to assist with the purchase and installation of a solar water heating system for the school and community swimming pool.

Transpower’s General Manager Corporate Affairs Cynthia Brophy said that the applications received from the successful organisations demonstrated projects that would be highly beneficial to their community.

“It’s great to be able to support a wide range of community projects throughout New Zealand. We recognise the impact that our assets have on communities and are pleased to be able to give these local initiatives some financial assistance so that they can successfully complete their projects,” she said.

Ms Brophy said that over 240 applications were received from community groups and associations in the recent round of funding.

The CommunityCare Fund was set up in 2006 to assist communities impacted by Transpower’s assets, with projects that add real value and benefit to communities as a whole. Further information on the CommunityCare Fund including a full list of the successful applicants can be viewed at www.transpower.co.nz.

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