Monday 30 May 2016
Flick Electric Co give Te Puea Marae free power
to help Auckland homeless
Recent Hi-Tech Award winner Flick Electric Co. is calling on other New Zealand businesses to play their part in helping
Auckland’s homeless.
Flick Electric Co. has committed to supply free electricity to Te Puea Memorial Marae Manaaki Tangata over the winter
months while they are temporarily housing people and families who are without accommodation and living rough, in their
cars, in carports and in tents.
“Being socially responsible is just good modern business practice, and we urge other businesses to step up and do their
bit. A few dollars off our bottom line means the world to people in need,” says Steve O’Connor, Flick’s Chief Executive.
“All it takes is a generous spirit and a quick phone call to get a plan in place to help vulnerable people survive the
winter months.”
Te Puea Memorial Marae are working to house families that have nowhere to go over winter while they find permanent
accommodation.
“No one wants to be homeless over the winter period – currently there are more than 2,000 people in the Auckland area on
the waiting list with Housing NZ. We are about providing short-term accommodation, food, showers and clothing while we
work with government agencies and community groups, including churches, sports clubs, universities and landlords to get
these families off the street during the bone-chilling winter months,” says Marae Trustee Huri Dennis.
“We are incredibly grateful to Flick for their generous contribution. It’s very humbling to receive support from such a
forward-thinking and proactive New Zealand business. It also means the marae is able to cope, confidently knowing we
won’t get stamped with a huge bill at the end of the day,” says Mr Dennis.
The Marae is welcoming donations from other businesses and individuals, particularly with IT and telecommunications
support, transport, furnishings, a storage space to house food donations, food vouchers and cash contributions.
A meeting is also being held at Te Puea Memorial Marae at 6pm on Wednesday 1 June for all community groups, businesses
and individuals that are willing to help with their cause.
To make a donation to the Marae email tepueamemorialmarae@gmail.com or phone 09 636 7019.
ENDS