2021
GRANT RECIPIENTS
2021
GRANT RECIPIENTS
September 2021 Recipients
180 Degrees Trust
180 Degrees Trust offer a lifeline to vulnerable rangatahi by providing personalised mentoring and adventure therapy experiences. The trust has a vision to provide positive experiences that inspire young people to lead fulfilling and active lives. The trust received a grant of $2,313 to enable two new staff members to complete a full training and assessment qualification, providing them with their annual membership, and ensuring they are compliant with all health and safety processes. Once qualified, these staff members can organise, instruct and lead the multi-day tramping trips which make a measurable difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
September 2021 Recipients
Age Concern New Zealand Inc
Age Concern New Zealand Inc is a charity dedicated to promoting the wellbeing, rights, respect, and dignity of people over 65. It is active and vocal on relevant issues, providing expert information and support to ensure older people stay connected with their family, friends, and community. Age Concern New Zealand Inc received a grant of $2,285 to print 15,000 copies of the “Would you like more company” resource brochure.
September 2021 Recipients
Alzheimers Society Taupo Inc
Alzheimers Society Taupo Inc received a grant of $601 to assist with producing its monthly newsletter. The newsletters allow the organisation to continue providing clients with support and up-to-date information about the disease from both a community and global level as they navigate through their journey.
September 2021 Recipients
Angie Hodgson
Angie Hodgson received a grant of $5,899 towards an E-bike and special needs trailer trike that will allow her to continue supporting her disabled daughter, Isabella. Bella is greatly restricted due to transportation barriers, and as she is now getting heavier, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Angie to tow her on their biking trips. The purchase of the E-bike and special needs trailer will provide opportunities for Angie and Bella to engage with family and friends on outings, allowing them to utilise the biking trails in the Hawkes Bay region and ultimately benefiting Bella’s social and emotional development.
September 2021 Recipients
Brake (New Zealand)
Brake (New Zealand) is a national road safety charity that works to prevent road-related deaths and injuries, making communities safer. The charity also provides free support to people who have been bereaved or seriously injured in crashes. Brake received a grant of $1,279 to purchase promotional materials and merchandise that will help raise awareness of the services it offers and promote important road safety messages.
September 2021 Recipients
Ellerslie Toy Library Incorporated
Ellerslie Toy Library Incorporated provides families with access to affordable and high-quality educational toys and equipment. The library has a mission to create a positive environmental impact by allowing families to rent toys to reduce wastage when children outgrow their toys. Ellerslie Toy Library received a grant of $1,096 to purchase multicultural toys, expanding its current library and providing a fun way to teach children about cultural history, language, tradition, and diversity.
September 2021 Recipients
Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington
Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington has a vision to help make New Zealand the best place in the world for young people to grow up and flourish. The foundation is dedicated to showing kids that what they have inside is much greater than any obstacle they face. The foundation received a grant of $1,667 towards mental health first aid training for its current team and new members, so they can continue to effectively support young people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.
September 2021 Recipients
Hannah Anderson
Hannah Anderson has epilepsy and dyskinetic cerebral palsy which affects her muscle tone, posture and ability to control limb movements. Hannah is restricted with her current wheelchair as it is unable to be safely pushed across all surfaces, impacting her ability to participate with peers at school. Hannah received a grant of $3,750 towards the purchase of a Delta All-Terrain Buggy which will improve her accessibility in environments such as the beach or bush tracks. The buggy will provide long-term use for Hannah, improving her overall life satisfaction, and expanding opportunities and inclusion.
September 2021 Recipients
He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust
He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust is dedicated to making the arts accessible for all, regardless of social, economic, and geographical isolation. As part of its mission, the trust has leased a dedicated arts venue in Onehunga – Kete Aronui. This venue provides an accessible hub and rehearsal space where the community can come together to feel a sense of identity and inclusion. The trust received a grant of $3,172 to purchase mirrors and curtains to fit out four rooms at the Kete Aronui Community Centre.
Photo Credit: Lara Macgregor
September 2021 Recipients
House of Science NZ Charitable Trust (Auckland)
House of Science NZ Charitable Trust is dedicated to empowering teachers to support New Zealand children with their scientific literacy. The trust received a grant of $10,000 to purchase four science resource kits for its South and West Auckland branches. Each kit contains at least five different experiments and activities that cover a wide range of topics aligning with the NZ science curriculum. The additional kits will enable these Auckland branches to support the current waitlist of schools wanting to use its resources.
September 2021 Recipients
James Trevena-Brown
James Trevena-Brown’s 37-year-old brother Simon is unable to walk because of a degenerative brain disease, Spinocerebellar Ataxia 7. Simon is one of only a few people in New Zealand with this condition that will soon leave him blind and unable to talk. James received a grant of $3,800 to purchase an electric bike that will provide Simon with the freedom to get outside of the house safely, improving his overall quality of life.
September 2021 Recipients
Manawahe Eco Trust
Manawahe Eco Trust (MET) is dedicated to managing and enhancing the native biodiversity of the Manawahe Ecological Corridor. Within this area are populations of threatened species including, kārearea, king fern and species of kōkako. MET run a wide range of predator control programmes and trials, the most recent targeting wallabies which are causing a devastating impact on the native forest. The trust received a grant of $2,000 to fund ten bait pumps as they continue to determine the most effective method of wallaby control.
September 2021 Recipients
Mary McRitchie
Mary McRitchie’s 9-year-old son Lucus has Autism, ADHD and severe anxiety which severely impact his day-to-day life. Mary received a grant of $6,500 to purchase and train a therapy support dog. The support dog will assist Lucus with his return to full-time school, helping him to feel more comfortable outside of his home and alleviating some of the loneliness and self-esteem issues he struggles with.
September 2021 Recipients
Methven Toy Library Inc
Methven Toy Library Inc offers a wide range of quality, well-designed toys and equipment for families and children in the Canterbury region. The library works to ensure that through play, children have the opportunity to learn key problem solving and communication skills as well as cultural awareness. The library received a grant of $647 to purchase STEM and New Zealand cultural toys which will help to expand its range and improve its availability of toys.
September 2021 Recipients
Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust
Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust has a mission to enhance the lives of people living with long-term disabilities by providing Mobility Dogs to increase independence, confidence, and self-esteem. The trust received a grant of $5,000 to purchase canine training equipment, bracing harnesses, leads and collars. The funding will help support the organisation’s growing demand for its services, enabling the trust to continue supporting those who are impacted by disability.
September 2021 Recipients
New Zealand Conservation Trust
New Zealand Conservation Trust is dedicated to conserving and protecting native species through various predator control initiatives in the Christchurch and wider Canterbury area. The trust received a grant of $9,976 to purchase cameras that will identify predators such as possums and wild cats, and materials to help alter the current traps which are no longer proving to be efficient. The new traps will also enable the trust to ensure that any inquisitive kea and weka don’t get harmed if they attempt to remove the tempting lure inside as the metal grids will block their access.
September 2021 Recipients
Omaka Observatory Charity Trust
The Omaka Observatory Charity Trust received $5,886 to purchase a 9.25” Celestron Evolution portable field telescope with lenses. The trust is building a crater observatory in the Omaka Valley in Marlborough which will provide school students in the region with free access to an outdoor classroom experience. The observatory will open in April 2022 with an aim to teach every student in year six and above about earth space science, tātai arorangi, geography and navigation.
September 2021 Recipients
Papakowhai School
Papakowhai School received a grant of $1,650 to purchase books for its 55 graduating students who are moving into the next stage of their education. The school will present the children with a book of their choosing at the end of year assembly in recognition of this significant milestone. Each book will be inscribed with a message detailing their tenure at Papakowhai School, wishing them success as they leave primary school and head out into the world.
September 2021 Recipients
Papakura & Districts Historical Society Inc
Papakura & Districts Historical Society Inc received a grant of $5,500 to create a giant magnetic jigsaw puzzle containing a historic image of Papakura. The museum is a hub for the local community, providing services that contribute to identity, place-making and learning. This project will create a fun and interactive way for its younger visitors to engage with local history.
September 2021 Recipients
PiPs Incorporated
PiPs (People, Plants in Schools) Incorporated has a vision to connect tamariki and their whānau with the local environment through a hands-on learning approach around their food systems and gardens. The organisation has two garden facilitators who run garden clubs, manage parent volunteers, teach gardening, and facilitate events at schools throughout the Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa area. PiPs received a grant of $3,219 to purchase gardening equipment for upcoming projects.
September 2021 Recipients
Stoke Toy Library Society Inc
Stoke Toy Library Society Inc provides low-cost memberships to allow parents access to better and more affordable toys. It is dedicated to supporting children with special needs, particularly those from lower-income families who otherwise could not afford toys that help these children to develop key skills, setting them up for life. The library received a grant of $2,163 to purchase sensory and educational toys that promote inclusivity and diversity.
September 2021 Recipients
Surf Life Saving Northern Region
Surf Life Saving Northern Region is dedicated to ensuring its community can enjoy the beaches safely by preventing drowning and injury. The organisation provides lifesaving and rescue services, alongside beach safety education and sporting events. Surf Life Saving Northern Region received a grant of $4,154 to purchase a power generator and PA sound system to support its sports events and continued work protecting the Northern Region.
September 2021 Recipients
Tamahunga Trappers Incorporated
Tamahunga Trappers Incorporated is dedicated to supporting the natural re-colonisation and reintroduction of rare and threatened species by providing a safe predator fenced habitat. The organisation received a grant of $2,347 to release and monitor 40 North Island Brown Kiwi from Motuora Island onto Mt Tamahunga. Following the release, the survival of the birds will be continuously monitored to track the population status.
September 2021 Recipients
The Air Training Corps Association of New Zealand Incorporated
The Air Training Corps Association of New Zealand Incorporated is a youth organisation with a vision to develop and enable self-disciplined, confident and responsible young New Zealanders. It provides challenging and disciplined training and social activities, including tramps, sports, and community support events. The organisation received a grant of $3,610 to purchase warm camping and tramping jackets to ensure all the cadets who do not own warm clothing can still participate and attend outdoor events.
September 2021 Recipients
The Brain Injury Association (Auckland)
The Brain Injury Association (Auckland) provides support, advice and education for people who have acquired a brain injury and their family, friends and employers. The association runs a wide range of free support groups at its Headway House that are facilitated by qualified psychologists and social workers. The Brain Injury Association received a grant of $3,583 to establish vegetable gardens at Headway House that can be used to teach and encourage sustainable horticulture.
September 2021 Recipients
The Incubator Growing Art and Culture Charitable Trust
The Incubator Growing Art and Culture Charitable Trust run a creative hub where vibrant and diverse people can meet to practice, celebrate, showcase and experience art and culture. The hub is running a new project called Social Fabric which will work with established and emerging fashion designers on a zero-waste philosophy and sustainable work practice. The trust received a grant of $3,908 to purchase sewing machines to help run a series of workshops including clothing repair days to learn mending techniques and community workshops to make sustainable period wear.
September 2021 Recipients
The One Victoria Trust Board Inc
The One Victoria Trust Board Inc has a vision to be the heart of Hamilton Art and is dedicated to developing, adopting and adapting to meet the needs of local creators. It operates the Meteor Theatre, a community hub that exists as a space to share creative experiences. The trust received a grant of $2,000 to purchase a stage box and case for the theatre. The new equipment will enable the trust to support larger musical and theatre acts as it will allow for the use of multiple sound inputs and microphones.
September 2021 Recipients
Waikanae Playcentre
Waikanae Playcentre is a parent-led early childhood centre that provides children with the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe way. The Playcentre works to ensure that the curiosity and creativity of tamariki is nurtured, allowing them to learn more about themselves and the world around them. Waikanae Playcentre received a grant of $742 to purchase a new oven with a cooktop that will enable them to teach children how to cook and bake.
September 2021 Recipients
Waikato Community Hospice
The Waikato Community Hospice is dedicated to empowering its staff to find innovative ways to support the terminally ill patients in their care to ensure they make the most of every moment they have. The Hospice received a grant of $978 to purchase two Swivel Bath Seats to assist the nursing team by enabling them to manoeuvre patients while bathing, helping to improve the overall support and comfort level.
September 2021 Recipients
WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust
WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust provides a tracking solution for people in the greater Auckland community who have a cognitive impairment and the potential to wander. These tracking devices provide peace of mind to family, friends and caregivers, and allow independence and assurance for vulnerable people. The trust received a grant of $2,200 to refurbish 100 tracking devices that are currently being used in the community. These devices are checked, repaired and, if required, have the batteries replaced every six months to ensure they are working correctly.
September 2021 Recipients
West Auckland Community Toy Library
The West Auckland Community Toy Library provides local families greater access to affordable toys on a loan basis. It aims to offer a wide range of different toys, puzzles and sports equipment, while promoting awareness for sharing and reusing resources and reducing landfill waste. The library received a grant of $398 towards purchasing new cultural and educational toys that can be borrowed by members of the local community.
June 2021 Recipients
Amy Clay on behalf of Indie-Rose Clay
Indie-Rose Clay is a young girl who was born with cerebral palsy, a condition affecting muscle tone and posture which causes impaired movement and abnormal control over the body. Indie-Rose received a grant of $4,134 towards a DMO postural alignment suit. The suit will allow her body to align whilst providing biofeedback to her brain, enabling her to participate in more outdoor activities such as sailing and be more focused in school.
June 2021 Recipients
Boyle Village Conservation Group
Boyle Village Conservation Group received a grant of $2,987 to aid in its mission of ecological restoration in the South Island sub-alpine beech forest. The grant will go towards phase 17 of the initiative and help to continue running the Predator Control Project to protect the work already achieved in the area. Phase 17 will further protect the forest and birdlife, enhancing the ecological restoration of the area.
June 2021 Recipients
Central North Island Kindergarten Trust
Central North Island Kindergarten Trust’s mission is to create an inclusive and diverse learning environment for children, allowing them to explore and appreciate both their peers and their own cultures. Part of this diverse learning environment is the focus on outdoor education. The trust received a grant of $1,100 towards purchasing 15 sets of rainwear and gumboots for the outdoor education programme. This will help the students to stay dry and warm whilst still receiving a well-rounded early childhood education.
June 2021 Recipients
Christchurch Group N. Z. Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporated
Christchurch Riding for the Disabled provides therapeutic riding sessions for people with disabilities. It received a grant of $3,465 to purchase an arena groomer which will aid the association in looking after up to 75 riders per week. The riding sessions aim to improve physical well-being and communication, social skills, and self-esteem for the attendees.
June 2021 Recipients
House of Science Horowhenua Charitable Trust
House of Science Horowhenua Charitable Trust’s vision is for every child in New Zealand to be scientifically literate. The trust received a grant of $10,000 towards purchasing science kits and consumables, which will increase the availability of resources for the 27 schools and over 4,000 children who utilise the kits throughout the Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast regions.
June 2021 Recipients
Howick Sea Scouts
Howick Sea Scouts encourages the physical, mental, and spiritual development of youth by providing a progressive and enjoyable ocean-based training as well as land activities. They received a grant of $1,750 to purchase waterproof sport helmets for sailing and kayaking, ensuring their students are safe and protected on the water.
June 2021 Recipients
Josie Ward
Vinnie Ward is a 10-year-old boy who is on the Autism Spectrum and has severe Type 1 Diabetes. Since being diagnosed with diabetes, Vinnie has been presenting signs of anxiety and depression due to his fear of living with diabetes. This has caused him to request testing his blood glucose levels 10+ times a day for reassurance. Vinnie received a grant of $4,012 towards a Dexcom G6 Glucose Sensor, Transmitter and Pump which will constantly track his blood glucose levels, reducing his stress and allowing him to increase his cognitive function at school and overall wellbeing.
June 2021 Recipients
Kairos Trust
Kairos Trust is a food bank who offer a helping hand to people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. The trust works with each requestor to ensure the parcel provided best meets the needs of the family, with enough food to help feed them across three-days. The trust received a grant of $1,754, which will enable the staff and key volunteers to be trained in both first aid and forklift operation.
June 2021 Recipients
Louise Perkins Foundation
The Louise Perkins Foundation’s mission is to help improve the quality of life for those living with incurable breast cancer. The foundation received a grant of $3,502 towards the purchase of ‘Sweet Louise’ branded merchandise to help increase awareness around the cause and organisation. Sweet Louise currently supports over 750 women and their families throughout New Zealand.
June 2021 Recipients
Manta Watch New Zealand Charitable Trust
Manta Watch New Zealand Charitable Trust aims to increase the knowledge and advocacy for the marine environment through research, conservation and education and engaging with communities. The trust received a grant of $4,255 for an aerial drone, an essential item of field equipment which will enable them to continue researching New Zealand’s oceanic ecosystems.
June 2021 Recipients
9 Lives Orphanage
9 Lives Orphanage is an organisation dedicated to rehabilitating and caring for injured, sick, and abandoned kittens and cats until they can be rehomed. Part of this care is to desex stray cats and to create healthy and controlled cat colonies, ensuring the colonies do not expand or harm native wildlife. The 9 Lives Orphanage received a grant of $5,589 which will enable them to continue to provide food and medical care and assist in trapping the kittens and cats.
June 2021 Recipients
PVI NZ
Hugo Simmons is a six-year-old boy who was born with Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, Cortical Visual Impairment, and Global Development Delay. PVI NZ, who applied for funding on behalf of Hugo, received a grant of $4,500 towards purchasing an adaptive trike for him. PVI’s mission is to provide a community of support and to empower parents and whanau of vision impaired persons.
June 2021 Recipients
Raglan Community Arts Council
Raglan Community Arts Council maintain and operate the Raglan Old School Arts Centre which includes the community rooms, gallery, community kitchen, theatre workshop and clay shed. Part of this responsibility is to develop and implement the arts strategies and events for the Raglan community. The organisation received a grant of $3,000 towards the construction of a high staging unit, improving the performance facilities and increasing visibility for the audiences.
June 2021 Recipients
Special Olympics Auckland
Special Olympics Auckland is a community organisation providing a caring and supportive network for athletes living with an intellectual disability. Its services include sports training, competitions, and social interaction with peers. The organisation received a grant of $3,676 towards the purchase of a team kit for their athletes to wear at the 2021 National Summer Games being held in Hamilton, allowing them to feel a sense of pride and belonging in their team.
June 2021 Recipients
Spirit of Adventure Trust
Spirit of Adventure Trust has been empowering young New Zealanders to reach their full potential through its ocean-based youth development voyages for almost 50 years. The Spirit of Adventure Trust embarks on up to 25 voyages and hosts over 1,200 14-18-year-olds every year. The trust received a grant of $6,086 to provide two full scholarships to deserving Rangatahi, enabling them to embark on one of their voyages.
June 2021 Recipients
Te Wairua O Te Moananui- Ocean Spirit
Te Wairua O Te Moananui &endash; Ocean Spirit is an organisation with the goal of promoting respectful and sustainable relationships between the ocean, its coastal environment and the communities who reside in those areas. Te Wairua O Te Moananui &endash; Ocean Spirit received a grant of $9,200 towards its pilot project, Wairepo Moemoeaa. The grant will enable them to rehabilitate a degraded wetland, helping to create a healthy coastal ecosystem.
June 2021 Recipients
The Scout Association of NZ – Marlborough District Venturer Unit
The Scout Association of New Zealand – Marlborough District Venturer Unit received a grant of $1,034 towards replacing worn out adventure gear including camping and health and safety equipment. The association fosters the physical, mental, and spiritual development of youth by providing a progressive and nurturing environment encouraging the members to be their bet selves.
June 2021 Recipients
The Toy Library Howick and Pakuranga Incorporated
The Toy Library Howick and Pakuranga Incorporated provide educational toys for tamariki and their whanau on a loaning basis. Its objective is to positively influence how young children see the world by ensuring the toys available accurately represent the diverse and multicultural community in New Zealand. The library received a grant of $1,838 towards purchasing Te Reo Māori related games, Chinese sign language blocks, and puzzles that will help increase the diversity of the toys.
June 2021 Recipients
Whanganui Musicians Club Incorporated
Whanganui Musicians Club Incorporated provides mentorship and a venue for aspiring musicians in the region to develop their skills, confidence, and musical knowledge. The club received a grant of $1,910 towards the purchase of a variety of musical instruments, allowing the trust to have quality instruments available for students who cannot afford their own.
June 2021 Recipients
YSAR Trust
YSAR Trust is a search and rescue (S.A.R.) training programme for 13-18-year-olds. The trusts focus is to educate New Zealand youth on search and rescue techniques, enabling them to volunteer as leaders across various S.A.R. organisations. YSAR Trust received a grant of $3,790 towards the purchase of two defibrillators, one for each of its Tauranga and Auckland branches, enabling them to offer immediate assistance for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergencies.
March 2021 Recipients
Jaxon Hill
Jaxon Hill is an 8-year-old boy who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness from a young age. Jaxon received a grant of $5,000 towards modifying an electric trike which will allow him to increase his participation in recreational activities both in school and the community – such as P.E., getting to the community pool and library, and biking the local cycle trails.
March 2021 Recipients
Mirren Callaghan
Mirren Callaghan has Ehlers Danlos syndrome, which causes a wide variety of problems including hyper-mobility of the joints, spontaneous dislocations, muscular spasms and chronic pain inhibiting her from physically attending university. Mirren received a grant of $3,112 towards a massage chair which will help provide pain relief and injury prevention, making life a little easier for her.
March 2021 Recipients
Adventure Specialties Trust
Adventure Specialties Trust provides adventure therapy through outdoor education and youth development programmes such as leadership camps, strengthening families’ programmes, camps for people with disabilities, youth offender programmes, school camps and technical outdoor tuition. They received a grant of $2,728 to purchase 4x double sit on top kayaks allowing their family camp programmes to be more inclusive.
March 2021 Recipients
Port Ahuriri Playcentre
Port Ahuriri Playcentre recognise parents and whanau as the first and best educators of children. Their aim is to enrich their community by strengthening parent engagement and providing the children with access to resources, materials, and opportunities. They received a grant of $990 which will go towards a first aid course for six volunteer parents helping them meet the Ministry of Educations licensing and funding requirements.
March 2021 Recipients
Waikato River Trails Trust
The Waikato River Trails Trust is a community led organisation that constructed and now maintains over 107km of walking and cycling trails. They received a grant of $5,000 towards purchasing a chainsaw and hand compactor to assist with trail surfacing. The chainsaw is an essential tool for cutting down privet trees and wilding pines, while the hand compactor will greatly assist with trail surfacing. Both items will ensure the trails are accessible and in good order for the community to enjoy.
March 2021 Recipients
Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington
The Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington delivers three core programmes: Kiwi Can, Stars and Career Navigator. These programmes enable youth to build key life skills, become confident and resilient, and ultimately realise their full potential by focusing on the long-term benefits. They received a grant of $813 to provide First Aid training for their leaders and to purchase First Aid Kits.
March 2021 Recipients
Crystal Bennett
Crystal Bennett suffers from anxiety and depression. She received a grant of $700 enabling her to participate in the Mind, Body, Soul course at Outward Bound in Anakiwa, Picton. This course will allow her to learn and develop the skills she will need to build resilience in adulthood. Outward Bound is an organisation which runs a variety of programmes that provide New Zealanders with fresh perspective and insight through a 21-day course where there is no contact from the outside world or technology, allowing participants to turn off and focus on ‘real’ things.
March 2021 Recipients
STEM Wana Trust
STEM Wana Trust increases awareness and promotes opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to young New Zealanders and their families. They received a grant of $3,482 to purchase a semi-industrial sewing and overlocking machine for their Tinked Makerspace – a Textiles Technology zone which provides all the tools and resources to allow and encourage inter-generational knowledge and skills sharing.
March 2021 Recipients
Liz van Welie Aquatics Swim Club
Liz van Welie Aquatics Swim Club aims to support and inspire a life-long love and respect of water whilst offering swim teaching and coaching to people of all levels and ages. They also participate in various community Open Water events on both beaches and lake fronts. They received a grant of $1,785 to purchase a shade tent for their community and members – with this tent they will now be able to provide a hub for the club, a safe place to keep belongings and shade from the sun during their outdoor events.
March 2021 Recipients
Manchester House Social Services Society Incorporated
Manchester House Social Services Society Incorporated’s mission is to provide non-discriminatory compassionate and caring support for those in need. They provide a variety of services including social work, counselling and family support services, budgeting and financial mentoring, parenting support, an emergency food service, methamphetamine addiction support and a Senior Hub. Manchester House received a grant of $1,523 to plant and maintain fruit trees and a vegetable garden to aid with their on-demand foodbank, which distributes 400 – 500 food parcels every year.
March 2021 Recipients
Birthright Hutt Valley Trust
Birthright Hutt Valley Trust received a grant of $1,126 enabling them to provide comprehensive First Aid training for five team members. The trust’s mission is to reduce the inequities children raised in single-parent homes experience with a focus on reducing poverty. The trust provides several initiatives which includes advocating for whanau, assisting with work readiness, contributing towards school uniforms, assisting with sports fees and other extracurricular activity fees, holding family-focused events, providing food parcels and giving access to donated items from the community.
March 2021 Recipients
Kim-Marie McAlpine
Kim-Marie McAlpine’s daughter has Fibrodysplasia Ossification Progressiva – an extremely rare disorder affecting 1 in 2million people, with only two people diagnosed with it in New Zealand. Fibrodysplasia gradually ossifies skeletal and connective tissue causing a deterioration of joint movement and extreme pain and discomfort, and with no cure, pain and joint movement management is key. Kim-Marie received a grant of $11,788 to install a heated spa pool, a tool which will help alleviate the pain and side effects whilst also attempting to limit the advancement and impact of the disease on her daughter.
March 2021 Recipients
Simone Burkhalter
Simone Burkhalter’s son Eli has Cerebral Palsy and relies on a wheelchair for mobility throughout the day. The family enjoys going on adventures to the beach and on bush walks, however these locations are not accessible for wheelchairs. Simone received a grant of $5,000 toward the purchase of a Delta buggy which will enable Eli to participate in more outdoor family and community-based activities through its easy manoeuvrability.
March 2021 Recipients
Stepping Stone Trust
Stepping Stone Trust is an independent mental health provider who received a grant of $6,000 towards the purchase of kayaks and mountain bikes. The trust’s purpose is to encourage life, purpose, hope, and a future by providing a wide range of community and residential-based services across Canterbury. These services include adult and youth residential services, residential respite services, community support visiting programmes, mobile medication delivery service and support for children whose parents suffer from significant mental illness.
March 2021 Recipients
Tauranga Environment Centre Charitable Trust
Tauranga Environment Centre Charitable Trust’s mission is to become the hub of sustainability, environmental education and advocacy for the Bay of Plenty with a goal of advocating for and creating a sustainable future. They received a grant of $6,982 towards their Predator Free project to purchase supplies for making pest chew cards, tracking tunnels, monitoring tools and traps to target a variety of mammalian predators. This grant will enable the trust to have the resources to further their project and increase education throughout New Zealand schools.
March 2021 Recipients
Susie Nyika
Susie Nyika is a social worker who works closely with Oranga Tamariki. Through her work at Oranga Tamariki she connected with Ryan, a disadvantaged boy living with Spina Bifida who is wheelchair bound and living in a dysfunctional family home. Susie received a grant of $2,227 to purchase interchangeable mountain bike wheels for Ryan’s wheelchair creating a more accessible world for him and enabling him to participate in outdoor activities with his peers, reducing the impact of one of the many hardships he faces daily.
March 2021 Recipients
Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation Charitable Trust
The Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation Charitable Trust received a grant of $3,600 enabling them to continue to provide HELP, Auckland’s ‘We Can Keep Safe’ sexual abuse prevention programmes. These programmes are integrated with police, medical, and justice services and include a 24/7 crisis line, and face-to-face counselling for children and families, teenagers and adult women. The trust’s therapists provide therapy for approximately 350 clients across 5,500 therapy sessions per year.
March 2021 Recipients
The Helping Paws Charitable Trust
The Helping Paws Charitable Trust is an Animal Rescue Centre and Sanctuary for the Northern Auckland and Kaipara region. Before the trust was established, the closest SPCA & Rescue centre was over an hour away. They received a grant of $4,000 to further the assistance of the Mazda Foundation towards pet food which will enable them to continue their mission to provide food for over 500 cats and kittens in their care.
March 2021 Recipients
Matuku Reserve Trust Board
The Matuku Reserve Trust Board is an NGO who works towards continued care of the wetlands in the Waitakare to ensure easy accessibility for the public whilst protecting the native bush and trees. The trust received a grant of $1,095 towards the purchase of a chainsaw and the FoxPro – a playback tool which enables the monitoring of trapping and baiting to aid in the removal of possums, rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets.
March 2021 Recipients
Wadestown Toy Library Incorporated
Wadestown Toy Library Incorporated’s mission is to aid in the mental, physical, and social development of children by providing educational toys for tamariki and their whanau on a loaning basis. They received a grant of $1,060 towards the purchase of a wooden marae toy set to loan to increase their Te Reo Māori based toys, enabling them to educate tamariki and increase their inclusiveness and respect for tāngata whenua.
March 2021 Recipients
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust represents the mana whenua, landowners, surrounding Maungatautari, and their wider community with their ecological restoration of Maungatautari. They received a grant of $399 towards a Weather Station enabling them to record temperature, rainfall data, and relative humidity helping them to further develop their findings and give research scientists and students access.
March 2021 Recipients
Jamie Stewart
Jamie Stewart’s son, Mahi, suffers from autism. His condition inhibits him from participating in many day-to-day tasks including, talking, developmental learning and play, sleeping unaccompanied and normal social interaction which has left him anxious and missing out on key opportunities. The Stewarts received a grant of $10,000 enabling them to receive a therapy dog from ‘Therapy Dogs New Zealand’. With the therapy dog, Mahi’s anxiety should slowly reduce, helping him to become more independent and improve his quality of life.
March 2021 Recipients
Community Projects Charitable Trust
Community Projects Charitable Trust is focusing on creating ‘Our Place’ – a creative hub, in downtown Tauranga. Through the repurposing of 15 shipping containers and coming together with various organisations and individuals, ‘Our Place’ aims to deliver workshops and programmes around sustainability and upskilling. The trust received a grant of $4,809 which will allow them to install marque walls enabling them to weatherproof the event space.