Mazda Foundation supports inspirational New Zealanders

13 November 2012

Mazda Foundation supports inspirational New Zealanders

The Mazda Foundation has donated $62,366 to 27 individuals and groups from around New Zealand, as part of the Foundation’s final round of funding for 2012.

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

This round, a combination of individuals and groups with a variety of different causes were granted funding, including the Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust for its ‘Paper4trees’ initiative in Christchurch.

Paper4trees is a nationwide recycling programme which provides schools and preschools with resources to set up an in-house paper and cardboard recycling system. At the end of the year schools are rewarded with one native tree for every two cubic metres of paper and cardboard they have recycled.

Unfortunately, due to the earthquake damage in Christchurch, many schools and preschools have been unable to order their trees since 2010. There were 128 Christchurch schools and preschools participating in the programme last year who could not collect the native trees they had earned.

“The Mazda Foundation’s generous grant has helped us to provide the Christchurch region with over 1,700 native trees for their 2011 recycling efforts. They were thrilled that they would soon receive native plants to beautify their grounds,” says, Cayley Manson, Paper4trees Programme Manager.

“These trees are so important to school environments. They provide the students with an attractive area to play in and attract wildlife such as birds, bugs and lizards which the students can learn about. As the trees grow and mature, their roots will also help stabilise grounds.”

A second nationwide environmental organisation has benefitted from the latest round of grants from the Mazda Foundation. The New Zealand Conservation Trust, which operates various conservation projects, received funding for its Great Spotted kiwi breeding programme, based in Christchurch.

The Trust works closely with the Department of Conservation to address the declining kiwi population through a specialised breeding programme.

The funding will allow the trust to purchase 20 diagnostic timers which accurately monitor how long a kiwi has been incubating an egg and indicates to the fieldworker when the egg needs to be removed. Eggs need to be taken from the parents to protect them from predator threats and to ensure the continuation of the iconic native species.

“We are very grateful to the Mazda Foundation for enabling us to purchase 20 timers, which are integral to the survival of the kiwi,” says, Richard Moore, Chairman of the New Zealand Conservation Trust.

“They will be a great help to fieldworkers who collect the eggs which are often in extremely isolated and mountainous regions. It is down to the dedication of our staff and support from organisations, such as the Mazda Foundation, that we are able to continue to protect the kiwi.”

Andrew Clearwater, Chairman of the Mazda Foundation, says the Foundation is pleased to be able to help such a variety of worthy causes and individuals across New Zealand.

“This funding round we had so many inspirational kiwis who we felt would benefit from further support. We decided to increase the number of grants, almost doubling the amount of applicants from previous funding rounds.

“We’re delighted to be able to help out where we can and provide some assistance for these individuals and charities that are doing amazing things in our communities.

“Whether it’s helping to save the Great Spotted Kiwi or giving a helping hand to school initiatives around the country, the Foundation is thankful to be in a position to help such great kiwis,” says Clearwater.

Other grants this funding round include funding a junior surf programme in Tauranga, helping to purchase a greenhouse and seedlings for a community garden near Invercargill and funding the purchase of a new sail for a sailing boat for Whangarei Young Mariners Club.

The Mazda Foundation has now distributed over $1,339,000 to more than 350 recipients since its establishment in late 2005.

The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is 31 March 2013. For more information or to download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz.

ENDS

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