The Mazda Foundation Supports Health, Wellbeing and the Environment

The Mazda Foundation has completed two rounds of funding for 2021, donating over $160,000 so far with one more round left for the year. Recipients around New Zealand have received funding for items such as predator traps, a chainsaw and a therapy dog.

In line with the Mazda Foundation Trust’s objectives, several environmental initiatives received funding, including the Waikato River Trails Trust. The community-led organisation, which constructed and now maintains over 107km of walking and cycling trails, received funding to purchase a chainsaw and hand compactor to assist in trail surfacing.

The Matuku Reserve Trust environmental group was established in 2016 when it purchased 37 hectares of bush and wetland to ensure the conservation of native wildlife. The group named the wetland area, at the foot of a large native forest block in Auckland’s Waitakere River Valley, the Matuku Link. It is home to rare species such as matuku, pūweto and pāteke birds, freshwater fish species and native bats. The trust received funding from the Mazda Foundation to purchase monitoring and trapping equipment, enabling it to continue its work to protect this beautiful area.

The Mazda Foundation Trust was established in 2005 to provide financial aid for a variety of causes, individuals and charitable entities throughout New Zealand. Over $4 million has been reinvested back into communities and over 1,000 causes have received assistance – in particular those focusing on the environment, culture, the arts and education.

Funded by a contribution from the sale of every new Mazda in New Zealand and seed capital from Mazda Japan, the Mazda Foundation believes a helping hand – no matter how little – can go a long way.