Mazda Foundation provides assistance to Kiwis across country

25 July 2012

Mazda Foundation provides assistance to Kiwis across the country

The Mazda Foundation has donated over $57,000 to 14 individuals and groups from around New Zealand, as part of the Foundation’s second round of funding for 2012.

Each year, the Mazda Foundation holds three funding rounds and selects deserving New Zealanders, community groups and charities that are in need of assistance.

This round, a combination of individuals and groups with a variety of different causes was granted funding, including Toru Fetū Kindergarten and Save the Otago Peninsula (STOP) environmental group.

Toru Fetū Kindergarten applied for funding to provide free, healthy cooked lunches for the children enrolled at the kindergarten.

The not-for-profit organisation received a $1,049 grant to purchase a freezer for food storage purposes, which will enable the school to provide free cooked meals to the children every day of the week.

Toru Fetū Kindergarten is an early childhood education provider to over 80 children up to the age of five. It has three classrooms that cater for the Cook Island, Tuvaluan and Niuean languages. The teachers hope that the cooked meals will enhance the children’s education, culture and mental development by feeding their brains with healthy, hearty meals.

The Toru Fetū Kindergarten was the first Pasifika Centre in the greater Wellington region to receive a Healthy Heart Rito Bronze Award. A programme awarded to early childhood services that promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle to children and their families.

The environmental group, Save the Otago Peninsula received a grant of $1,375 to provide plants to enhance the habitat of the Jewelled gecko which is currently in decline, and encourage population growth.

Over the last few years the population of Jewelled geckos, a species native to the South Island of New Zealand, is known to have declined by around 200 geckos. The need to enhance their natural environment and encourage food sources to flourish is urgent to help increase their numbers.

The decline of the Jewelled gecko population is due to a combination of impacts on their environment. Predation by rodents, poaching for the animal black market and isolation of suitable remnants containing food plants have all contributed to the Jewelled gecko being listed as in decline. To combat these threats, predator-proof fencing was erected in 1993, but environmental enhancement is still necessary.

The money donated by the Mazda Foundation will be used by volunteers from Save the Otago Peninsula group to plant Kanuka, Corokia and Coprosma plants both within a reserve and to join isolated remnants. Kanuka in particular provides a good habitat for geckos as it shades over grass and reduces mice numbers.

Andrew Clearwater, Chairman of the Mazda Foundation, says the Foundation is delighted to be able to help such a wide variety of projects and causes throughout New Zealand.

“We are always astounded and humbled by the many projects that New Zealanders are involved in. Education and conservation groups were strongly represented in this latest funding round, which shows they are both areas that New Zealanders feel passionate about.

“Whether it’s helping Toru Fetū Kindergarten provide free, healthy school meals or helping Save the Otago Peninsula to increase the numbers of an at risk species, The Foundation is thankful to be in a position to help such deserving groups and individuals,” says Clearwater.

Other grants this round include funding to purchase tricycles to provide exercise for disabled students, a set of ukuleles for Waikouaiti School, and a hydrotherapy ozone spa to help relieve the symptoms of Angelman syndrome for a young boy.

The Mazda Foundation has now distributed over $1,265,000 to more than 325 recipients since its establishment in late 2005.

The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is 30 September 2012. For more information or to download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz

Mazda Foundation Recipients – Round 2

ENDS

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