September 2015 Recipients
Barnardos Georgetown

The Invercargill Early Learning Centre was granted $1,435 to completely revamp their outdoor space by creating a new grass area, vegetable garden and worm farm. The aim of the project is to educate the children about sustainably and the environment, and foster Kawenga (responsibility for our living world). They will gain the knowledge and skills to care for nature and themselves by harvesting produce and learning how to keep their bodies healthy. Thanks to the Mazda Foundation grant the children can be more involved in outdoor morning and afternoon teas, storytelling, music sessions, and group games, in a fantastic outdoor learning environment.

September 2015 Recipients
Stewart Island Promotion Association

The Association set up Rakiura Artist Residency Project to promote the uniqueness, natural beauty and rich culture of Stewart Island. They received $3,468.40 from the Mazda Foundation to help fund the project. Five well-known artists visited the Island for five days to explore and discover its natural wonders, unique community and heritage, and will use their experiences as inspiration to create fine art prints. The grant from the Mazda Foundation will help promote Stewart Island’s distinctive culture and natural environment through art, giving the local community, domestic tourists and residents a deeper understanding and appreciation of the island.

September 2015 Recipients
Tauranga Youth Search and Rescue

Tauranga Youth Search and Rescue (YSAR) received $2,898 to purchase an emergency and rescue stretcher, a key tool used by students and leaders in their training programme and in real search and rescue operations. The organisation recruits and prepares young people for search and rescue operations while teaching them respect and understanding for the New Zealand wilderness. Thanks to the grant from the Mazda Foundation students in the three year programme will be able to use the new rigid, collapsible stretcher in simulated exercises through steep terrain and dense native bush, helping to advance their rescue skills.

September 2015 Recipients
Zoe Jennings

Whangarei resident and triplet Zoe Jennings, was granted $17,240.80 to purchase a self-propelling wheelchair to help her with postural autonomic tachycardia syndrome, a type of dysautonomia. Zoe’s symptoms affect her breathing, ability to stand upright, control of body temperature and digestion, yet she is determined to live her life like any other able-bodied person. Thanks to the Mazda Foundation the wheelchair will give Jennings back her independence allowing her to go to university and pursue her passion for music. She’ll also be able to enjoy the little things like heading down to the local beach and cafés without her mother pushing her – something any teenager would appreciate.

September 2015 Recipients
Tahakopa Our Hut Committee

Tahakopa Our Hut Committee received $6,188.54 to purchase audio and visual equipment which will be used in a permanent exhibition about Tahakopa Valley’s past, as part of the Our Hut Tahakopa history project. The project started as a group of individuals passionate about the restoration and history of the local hall known as ‘Our Hut’. Tahakopa is a very small and isolated town in Southland and the exhibition, along with redevelopment of the hut as a community hub, will be a great tourist attraction. The audio and visual equipment purchased with the Mazda Foundation grant will visually tell the story of the Tahakopa Valley pioneers to local and international visitors, and play a part in educating the younger community members.

September 2015 Recipients
Arohanui Special School

Arohanui Special School were given $6,547.25 to purchase portable play equipment, including balance stairs, a basketball stand, and a trampoline. The equipment will enhance the school’s social and learning opportunities as the students don’t often have the skills to participate in organised physical activity since their communication and physical abilities are challenged. This means teachers need to provide increased support and facilitation for inclusive play to happen. Thanks to the Mazda Foundation the new equipment will help the students grow and play with their peers in an interesting, engaging and accessible way.

September 2015 Recipients
Piha Surf Life Saving Club Inc.

The busy surf life saving club received $5,175 to purchase six new soft top training boards to be used by their ‘Nippers’ in the Junior Surf programme. The annual programme runs at the start of summer and teaches children how to be surf smart. As parents are becoming increasingly aware of the need to teach good water skills to their children the course has significantly increased in popularity, putting a strain on the club’s resources. The training boards purchased with the Mazda Foundation grant means the club can continue to provide their younger members with the skills they need to become qualified lifeguards, while letting them have supervised fun around the water.

September 2015 Recipients
Whanau Manaaki

Lower Hutt based Kindergarten Whānau Manaaki received $3,132 to purchase a portable microphone, PA system and speaker. The equipment will allow the children to develop their performance skills and will be available to use at community events. The Kindergarten’s brand new outdoor area will be used to explore movement, song and storytelling and having the wireless speaker will allow them to do so without the risk of tripping over cords. The new PA system will help the children build confidence in speaking and singing in front of others at community events such as their annual Matariki performance and on their float in the Upper Hutt Santa Parade.

June 2015 Recipients
Assistance Dogs

Waikato based charity Assistance Dogs breed, raise and train dogs to help people with disabilities. They received $5,000 to purchase dog food for a litter of eight puppies completing the training programme. The organisation is the only service dog provider that works with children and individuals affected by multiple disabilities. With the demand growing for the service Assistance Dogs needed to produce another litter to support them. The Mazda Foundation grant will help the fast growing large breed dogs receive the quality diet they require to support growth, health and vitality.

June 2015 Recipients
Beach Haven Scout Group

Beach Haven Scout Group encourages the physical, mental and emotional development of young people through outdoor activity. They received $2,574 to purchase six new hike tents to be used by cubs, scouts and venturers at section and group camps. The group aims to inspire young New Zealanders to reach their full potential, delivering comprehensive outdoors-based programmes that provide young people with essential life skills including problem-solving, teamwork, citizenship and healthy living. The tents are an essential part of equipment that will ensure the scouts are kept dry, safe and warm on outdoor pursuits.

June 2016 Recipients
Christchurch School of Music

The Christchurch School of Music received $5,792 to purchase violin and cello cases needed to protect their instruments when moving them to different environments for practise, solo recitals, indoor concerts and outdoor events. The school believes in providing musical education for all young people regardless of their financial situation and prides itself in supplying quality instruments for hire at a low cost. The new cases will not only provide the students with a greater sense of pride in looking after their instruments but will enable the school to provide the protection needed to ensure the instruments are well looked after, without having to increase their fees.

June 2015 Recipients
Kaitaia College

Kaitaia College received $1,825 to purchase 25 new tatua (male belt design) and 25 tipare (headband design) to complete the school’s new kapa haka uniforms. The current uniforms are over 20 years old and having new attire will increase the students’ confidence and pride when performing at kapa haka events, festivals and community functions. The team, Te Puawaitanga, is aspiring to qualify at this year’s regional kapa haka competition. Thanks to the grant from the Mazda Foundation they will look and feel the part.

June 2015 Recipients
North Rodney Blue Light

North Rodney Blue Light received $1,191.98 to purchase thirty branded t-shirts for volunteers to wear at events making them easily identifiable. This is important when dealing with large numbers of youth and children. The charity and community policing youth programme has run drug, alcohol and violence free activities in the local community for the past 20 years, with up to 1,500 youths benefitting from the volunteer-run activities each year. The programmes are centred on educating and developing outdoor skills to boost confidence and foster life skills, aiming to reduce youth crime, enhance community safety and build positive youth and Police partnerships.

June 2015 Recipients
Northcote Toy Library

Northcote Toy Library received $807 to purchase three ExerSaucers, which will allow babies in the community to remain upright to practise standing, and to play with toys while taking in the action around them. The ExerSaucer is a great tool which helps babies reach important developmental milestones. They strengthen baby’s leg, back and neck muscles whilst preventing their feet from touching the ground, which eliminates the safety concerns that come with traditional walkers. The Toy Library has been operating in Northcote since 1996, providing a range of high quality toys, puzzles and learning activities that encourage sharing, develop imaginations and teach children skills to advance their reading and maths.

March 2015 Recipients
Bay of Islands Maritime Park Inc.

The Bay of Islands Maritime Park Inc.’s ‘Living Waters’ project aims to restore local inland waterways by planting hundreds of native trees and shrubs. The community group received $3,339 from the Mazda Foundation to put towards plants, gardening tools and other much needed items. The reserve currently has very few native plants and was in a state of neglect, covered with tall gorse and weeds until local volunteers cleared the area ready for seedlings. The planting will also be carried out by generous volunteers so they will have a personal stake in maintaining and caring for the reserve in the future. The restoration will provide a habitat and food source for native birds and reduce soil erosion in a storm water ditch running through the reserve.

March 2015 Recipients
Community Unity Project

The Common Unity Project Aotearoa in Lower Hutt received $3,801.31 to purchase two sewing machines, overlockers and other equipment for its sewing collective. Under the guidance of an experienced volunteer local mums are taught sewing skills, empowering them to clothe their own families while developing skills for potential employment. The project has also benefited the wider community as the collective was invited by New Zealand Post’s sustainability team to participate in a pilot programme. Donated uniforms from NZ Post Group and other corporates were repurposed to make into clothing and other items to sell or gift to the community. The Mazda Foundation grant will help the Common Unity Project develop the pilot textiles recycling programme, and also continue to produce low cost, warm clothing for local families who are on low household incomes.

March 2016 Recipients
Alzheimers Society (Manawatu)

The Alzheimers Society in Palmerston North is a charitable community organisation which supports people affected by dementia. They received $4,962.25 to purchase ten pendants and a radio tracking unit for the Wandatrak Tracking System. The pendants are worn by people who tend to wander, including those with dementia, meaning if they go missing they can easily be tracked by Land Search and Rescue or NZ Police. The new resources will not only give the individuals confidence in exploring their local community, but they will also reduce stress for families, knowing that if a loved one goes wandering it is easy to track them down.

March 2015 Recipients
Mathew Read

Mathew Read lives in Feilding with his partner and young son. He received $2,000 towards his trip to Ohio, America where he will represent New Zealand at the World Long Range Target Shooting Championships. He has been selected for the NZ Palma Team and also as the captain of the NZ under 25 team. Mathew has achieved a lot on a national and international level through his career in the sport. He does his own fundraising through events such as sausage sizzles as target shooting doesn’t receive a great deal of funding due to its low profile. Working full time as well attending regular practices and competitive events demonstrates Mathew’s passion for the sport. He’s proud to wear the silver fern and represent New Zealand at the world championships.

March 2015 Recipients
Te Puke High School

Te Puke High School received $6,460 for ten STELR kits which are part of a science programme designed to educate students about renewable energy. The school aims to include real world situations into all of its junior subject areas, such as sustainability and environmental issues. STELR is a hands-on, inquiry based, in-curriculum programme designed for Year 9 and 10 students, on the theme of renewable energy. A range of directed and student-designed practical investigations with the kits are an integral part of the programme. The kits will help teachers introduce young people to alternative energy sources encouraging their interest in maintaining or improving New Zealand’s natural environments through technology.

March 2016 Recipients
Waikato Community Hospice Trust

Hospice Waikato received $2,098 to purchase two bike racks for staff, patient visitors and family members cycling to the centre. The organisation provides a variety of specialised care services for terminally ill people, supporting them, their families and carers. They encourage staff and the community to live a healthy lifestyle and cycle to the centre, however with a dramatic increase in staff numbers and in turn an increase in bikes, they had limited bike storage. The grant will allow the Hospice to continue to provide better cycling facilities, and ensure all staff and those visiting the centre have secure spaces to park their bikes.