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Mazda foundation donates funds

Posted on 07 June, 2017

More than $60,000 has been donated to 29 Kiwis, community groups and charities across New Zealand, thanks to the Mazda Foundation. Each year the Foundation hosts three funding rounds to help Kiwis in need, having gifted over $2.6 million back to the community since its inception in 2005. One of this year's recipients, the Life Education Trust Rodney, received $7,940, which was used to purchase 6,300 workbooks to help children learn about self-esteem, food and nutrition and body knowledge. “Each child takes home a workbook so that they can continue to implement the programme into their everyday lives. It helps them make informed decisions about food and beverage choices, relationships and social behaviour," says Life Education Trust administrator, Philippa Hankin. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Conservation Trust Kiwi Breeding Centre in Christchurch received $3,704 to replace vinyl flooring and purchase an instant hot water unit for its kiwi incubation room. The vinyl floor in the incubation room helps to maintain bio-security in the area and ensures that there are no contaminants passed onto either the kiwi eggs or chicks, while the hot water unit will be a valuable resource to make sure all equipment is sterilised. “We are expecting approximately 60 - 80 chicks through the facility this season and thanks to the Mazda Foundation we’re able to put the best bio-security practices in place to protect the chicks and prevent any unwanted bacteria entering in the kiwi breeding area,” says resource education coordinator Janet Hellyer. Managing director of Mazda New Zealand, David Hodge says there are many organisations doing great work but need funding. "I’m proud that the Mazda Foundation can help make a difference. It’s a fantastic initiative that allows us to reach out and support those that need it the most."