MEDIA RELEASE

29 June 2007

It’s never too young to start saving

ASB and Auckland Zoo are joining forces to encourage kids to save - money and the critically endangered Sumatran orang-utan.

Children who open an ASB Headstart account between 1 July and 22 July will receive an $8 credit to their account to kick-start their savings. ASB will also donate an additional $2 for each account to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund for the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP), helping to save orang-utans in the wild.

Auckland Zoo and ASB have enjoyed a long relationship spanning more than three decades. In the early 1970s, ASB gifted an elephant to the Zoo subsequently named Kashin. The 38-year-old female, now a much-loved Zoo animal who’s also come to be known internationally through The Zoo television show, has appeared as the mascot for the ASB Headstart account and the bank’s Kashin money boxes.

"Kashin has been an icon we have promoted along with our youth accounts for nearly 40 years. Most children who have grown up in Auckland will have fond memories of Kashin and we are delighted to be helping to support another Auckland Zoo project”, says Chris DuPlessis - ASB Auckland Regional Manger.

This sentiment is echoed by Auckland Zoo conservation officer Peter Fraser, "It bodes well for our future when we find our commercial partners sharing our conservation values. It is exciting to collaborate with ASB to raise awareness and support for the Sumatran orang-utans.”

In addition to the Headstart promotion, the Zoo is launching Kashin Dollars during the July School Holidays. Visitors to the Zoo will be able to purchase a Kashin Dollar, which they can then put towards a conservation project of their choice. The Zoo aims to raise conservation awareness by empowering children to make a conscious decision about which animal project they would like their Kashin Dollar to support – the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project, 21st Century Tiger, or Cheetah Outreach. The three field projects assist endangered animals in the wild and the zoo provides ongoing support to these projects through the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.

About the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP), Sumatra, Indonesia

Over 90% of Sumatran orang-utan habitat has been decimated by illegal logging and the growth of palm oil plantations. This, along with the illegal trade of infant orang-utans, remains the biggest threat to the survival of this critically endangered species. SOCP was established in 1999 and has 120,000 hectares of protected natural habitat, and a purpose-built medical quarantine facility in northern Sumatra. Its role encompasses rescuing, rehabilitation and releasing ex-pet animals, public education, research and monitoring, and habitat protection. Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund has supported SOCP since 2002 and has given funds in excess of $35 000.

About ASB Kashin Dollars

- Kashin Dollars launches during the July School Holidays and will run at major events throughout the year

- Kashin Dollars can be purchased at the Auckland Zoo during major events and deposited into money boxes specific to one of three conservation projects

- Kashin Dollars cost $1.00 and come with the chance to win prizes (entry form on the back of the dollar) and giveaways (dependant on event)

- Auckland Zoo will donate all funds ($1.00 per Kashin Dollar) raised, directly to the conservation project supported on the money box

- the zoo will announce the money raised on www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

- the three conservation projects supported in the July School Holidays are Cheetah Outreach (South Africa), 21st Century Tiger (Sumatra) and Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (Sumatra)

- there will be different conservation projects supported throughout the year

- for more information on the projects supported visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

ENDS

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