September 2012 Recipients
Windsor School

Windsor School, based in Christchurch, has also received $1,200 from the Mazda Foundation to makeover an area of the school field. The money will go towards building a walkway which will have native trees, herbs and flaxes planted alongside it. Mosaic stepping stones will also be created by year four pupils and laid in the newly created play area. The garden will allow students to learn more about the environment and the school hopes to put up birdhouses and, in time, create an outdoor classroom when the garden is more established.

September 2012 Recipients
Richmond Playcentre

Nelson based Richmond Playcentre has received $500 from the Mazda Foundation to complete an outdoor play area. The old playground will be replaced with a new one for the children to enjoy. The funding provided by the Mazda Foundation will allow the centre to finish improvements by putting down new soil and bark, making it a safe area for the children to play in. Richmond Playcentre hopes to have the work completed in time for summer, so the children can enjoy playing in the sunshine.

September 2012 Recipients
Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Patrol Inc

Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Patrol has received $6,176 from the Mazda Foundation to purchase a new Mercury motor for one of its Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB). The motors are invaluable to the protection of the community both at Ruakaka and Uretiti beaches and at events in other locations across Northland. The organisation is currently training eight new IRB drivers to increase the skill set within the club and provide Northland with more IRB-ready crews. The motor will allow the patrol to cater for the busy summer months, by increasing the speed of the boat and the response time in emergency situations, which is critical for any rescue attempt.

September 2012 Recipients
New Zealand Conservation Trust

The New Zealand Conservation Trust received $6,355 in the latest Mazda Foundation funding round, for its Great Spotted Kiwi breeding programme, based in Christchurch. The Trust operates various conservation projects and 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.

September 2012 Recipients
Arts Access Aotearoa

Arts Access Aotearoa, based in Wellington, has received $1,258 from the Mazda Foundation to buy a new computer and software. The organisation supports those with physical and mental disabilities alongside those with language barriers to ensure that art remains accessible. Arts Access Aotearoa works in partnership with Creative Spaces to provide its members with an opportunity to create their own art and work together to produce exhibitions showcasing their talents. Its national exhibition, Make/Believe, featured 35 different works and received high praise from critics. The funding from the Mazda Foundation will assist the organisation in continuing to communicate effectively with communities across the country.

September 2012 Recipients
Manuka Community House Inc

Manuka Community House, an early learning centre and family support service based in Nelson, has been granted $1,360 in the latest Mazda Foundation funding round. The donation will be used to purchase new safety mats for the children to use during play time. The centre provides childcare for up to 24 children from a variety of different areas and backgrounds, including those from refugee families. It is working towards achieving the Gold Healthy Heart by promoting a high standard of healthy eating and physical activity. While applying for the award, the centre became aware that the safety mats were not at the required safety level for the children. The grant from the Mazda Foundation will not only provide the children with safe mats, it will also offer them an active lifestyle and bring the playcentre one step closer to achieving the Gold Healthy Heart award.

June 2012 Recipients
Hibiscus Coast Schools Waterwise Society Inc

Hibiscus Coast Schools Waterwise Society has received $798 from the Mazda Foundation to purchase a new beach trolley for their patrol boat. The society educates local school children on the basics of water safety in a supervised environment. The beach trolley will allow the patrol boat to be easily manoeuvred at the start and end of each session. “The new beach trolley will enable Waterwise instructors and parent helpers to quickly prepare the patrol boat, making the lessons more efficient,” says, Susan Lott, Hibiscus Coast Schools Waterwise Society committee member. “We are aiming to introduce the trailer before the spring term begins as this is when the Waterwise programme will start to get busy.” The beach trolley will help to transport the waterwise patrol boat which the Mazda Foundation funded in 2009.

June 2012 Recipients
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) has received $5,213 to purchase new clothing for staff and volunteers to wear as part of the visit of Sirocco the Kᾱkᾱpo in partnership with the Kᾱkᾱpo Recovery programme. Maungatautari is a 3, 400 hectare forested mountain in the Waikato Basin. It is an internationally significant restoration site, protected by a 47km predator-proof fence. The Trust is tasked with preserving native plants and species that are under threat, whilst also reintroducing species that are endangered across New Zealand. As part of the Trust’s work, a programme of reintroductions has already seen the return of many threatened species such as Kaka, Hihi, Giant Weta, North Island Robin and the Kiwi. Kᾱkᾱpo, the world’s rarest species of parrot and possibly the oldest living bird, is part of a reintroduction programme that the Trust is planning for the region. Sirocco is the champion bird for the Kᾱkᾱpo Recovery Programme and it is hoped that his visit help to raise awareness for the Kᾱkᾱpo. With only 126 left in the wild the species is critically endangered and it has become vital to increase public awareness for New Zealand’s conservation plight. “We are delighted with the assistance from the Mazda Foundation for the funding of the uniforms. The weather at Maungatautari is varied and staff often host our interactive guided walks through the forest at night, so it’s really important that they have the right clothing to stay warm and dry,” says, Malcolm Anderson, General Manager of Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. A purpose-built professionally designed outdoor enclosure is being constructed in Maungatautari which will replicate Sirocco’s natural, mountainous bush surroundings.

June 2012 Recipients
Waikouaiti School

Waikouaiti School has received a $750 grant from the Mazda Foundation to purchase a class set of ukuleles for students to learn to play during their music lessons. The school has hired ukuleles in the past and it proved to be such a success with the students that the school decided to provide each student in the music class with an instrument to practice with. “We’re thrilled to receive this donation from the Mazda Foundation. The students are so passionate about learning to play the ukulele, they love to sing and play music,” says Trudy Pankhurst, Principal of Waikouaiti School. “Many of our students live 45 minutes drive from Dunedin so they don’t have the opportunity to attend music lessons offered in the city. School ukulele lessons allow them to practice a lot closer to home.” The school hopes that the ukulele lessons will encourage students to learn more about music, rhythm, tune and culture.

June 2012 Recipients
Save the Otago Peninsula

The environmental group, Save the Otago Peninsula Inc (STOP) received a grant of $1,375 to provide plants to enhance the habitat of the Jewelled gecko which is currently in decline, and encourage population growth. Over the last few years the population of Jewelled geckos, a species native to the South Island of New Zealand, is known to have declined by at least 200 geckos. The need to enhance their natural environment and encourage food sources to flourish is urgent to help increase their numbers. The decline of the Jewelled gecko population is due to a combination of impacts on their environment. Predation by rodents, poaching for the animal black market, and isolation of suitable remnants containing food plants have all contributed to the Jewelled gecko being listed as in decline. To combat these threats predator-proof fencing was erected in 1993 and habitats undergo constant protection, but environmental enhancement is still necessary. “We are delighted with the funding provided by the Mazda Foundation, it will allow us to improve the Jewelled gecko’s natural environment and hopefully cause numbers to increase. They are a native species to New Zealand and so it is important we work hard to protect them,” says, Lala Frazer, spokesperson for Save the Otago Peninsula. The donation from the Mazda Foundation will be used by volunteers from Save the Otago Peninsula group to plant Kanuka, Corokia and Coprosma plants both within a reserve and to join isolated remnants. Kanuka in particular provides a good habitat as it shades over grass, reducing mice numbers, and geckos become less accessible to poachers.

June 2012 Recipients
Hammersley Park School

Hammersley Park School in Christchurch, has received $7,200 of funding from the Mazda Foundation to take a class of students on a camping trip. The school is planning to take a class of year five and six children to the Golden Bay area on a camping trip at the end of the school year. The trip will expose the students to a new rural environment and a range of activities which they can get involved in and enjoy. Staff hope the trip will bring the students some relief after a stressful year. After the Canterbury earthquakes, some of the students are still living in affected homes or temporary accommodation in increasingly frustrating circumstances. Many have lost family members and friends through relocation and migration to other parts of New Zealand. “We are delighted to be taking the students on a camping trip after a turbulent year. Only two of our 20 students have been further than 30 kilometres from the Christchurch area so it will be great to show them somewhere new and give them a break away,” Says, Brent Egerton, Principal of Hammersley Park School. The students will camp in a rural environment and get involved in a range of activities which will educate them on nature and the environment.

June 2012 Recipients
The Bradburn Family

The Bradburn family have received $7,995 to purchase a spa pool, for their 19-month-old son, Caleb, who suffers from Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro – genetic disorder. The disorder is caused when a section of chromosome 15 is missing. Although it is only a small part of the gene that is lost, it causes delays in development, including problems with walking and balance and a lack of speech ability. “Caleb developed severe reflux at three weeks old and he had trouble feeding and sleeping. By 11 months old we were concerned because he was unable to sit unsupported, lie on his stomach for long periods of time and was not babbling. When he was 13 months old he was diagnosed with the rare condition, Angelman syndrome,” says, Gemma Bradburn, Caleb’s mother. “Since his diagnosis Caleb sees a speech therapist and a physiotherapist regularly, who help him to improve his speech and language development. “Recently we stayed in a hotel which had a spa pool, Caleb had so much fun in the bath and he appeared more relaxed afterwards. It prompted me to start looking at hydrotherapy as another form of support for Caleb.” Caleb’s new spa pool will help him to relax his muscles and improve muscle tone and circulation. It is hoped that the warm water and hydrotherapy will create an enjoyable experience for Caleb and encourage his development. Angelman syndrome occurs in approximately one in 15,000 births and there is currently no cure available, but some of the symptoms can be alleviated through hydrotherapy.

March 2012 Recipients
Assistance Dogs New Zealand

Assistance Dogs New Zealand provides suitably trained service dogs primarily to assist children disabled through autism. The not-for-profit organisation received a $1,035 grant from the Mazda Foundation to purchase equipment for the training and maintenance of the dogs, including harnesses, leads, brushes and toys. Julie Hancox, Assistance Dogs New Zealand’s trainer, says, “Assistance dogs enrich the lives of people with disabilities by helping them to live independently, enabling mobility, and providing companionship. In many cases, the addition of an assistance dog to these children’s lives has encouraged benefits beyond the expected, including improved verbal skills and an increased capacity for empathy and love.” Each assistance dog goes through a comprehensive training programme, which takes approximately six months. The training includes a temperament assessment, basic obedience, social behaviour, home behaviour and specific task training. The equipment needed for the dogs during this training is essential – having adequate equipment supports the dogs in their training and helps to enable positive outcomes for the children and their families.

March 2012 Recipients
The Fong Family

A $7,500 grant has been donated to Tanya and Paul Fong to enable them to purchase an insulin pump for their son Kambell, thanks to the Mazda Foundation. Kambell, aged eight, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 19 months old. Kambell needs constant monitoring as his blood sugar levels are very unstable and fluctuate frequently. These blood sugar fluctuations can cause Kambell to suffer from mood swings and outbursts which make it hard for him to maintain friends. “As a mum, I am always watching the clock making sure he is eating on time and receiving his 5-6 insulin injections each day,” says Tanya Fong. “The insulin pump will help Kambell live a more normal life and participate in activities with friends, such as camping and playing sports. We will no longer have to keep Kambell on a strict routine or wake him up in the middle of the night or early in the morning to give him an injection.” In 2007, Tanya and Paul Fong used their savings to start a charitable organisation called Youth Quest: a character mentoring programme-based organisation, designed to practically and effectively work with young people and their families within their communities. As a result of this commitment, they are unable to afford the full cost of the insulin pump, as well as the considerable ongoing costs to purchase consumables for the pump.

March 2012 Recipients
The Photoplayer Restoration Trust

The Mazda Foundation has donated $4,150 to The Photoplayer Restoration Trust, to begin the restoration of New Zealand’s only known photoplayer. A photoplayer is a musical instrument built between 1913 and 1927, specifically for playing during silent movies. The instrument consists of a piano, tambourine, drums and organ pipes, and also includes sound effects needed to accompany any silent movie. The Mazda Foundation grant will go towards the purchase and transportation, from America to New Zealand, of original Wurlitzer photoplayer plans. These plans will be used to help restore New Zealand’s only remaining photoplayer. Don Paynter of the Photoplayer Restoration Trust, says, “We believe that the history, uniqueness, and ties to the cinema in New Zealand make this photoplayer an instrument of national importance and a treasure that needs to be preserved for future generations.” When the restoration work is complete, the photoplayer will be stored in the Deluxe Theatre, Opotiki, and will sing again during the Opotiki Silent Film Festival and other civic occasions. The photoplayer has been registered with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage as an Object of Significant National Importance.

March 2012 Recipients
Napier Group Riding for the Disabled

Napier Group Riding for the Disabled has received $6,269 from the Mazda Foundation to cover the not-for-profit organisation’s ACC levy charge. Napier Group Riding for the Disabled was established in 1981 and currently has over 100 riders every week making the organisation one of the largest Riding for the Disabled groups in New Zealand. Carolyn Cox, Napier Group Riding for the Disabled’s Fundraiser, says, “Riding for the Disabled is so much more than ‘pony rides’ – which is a common misconception that the organisation faces. Equine therapy can provide so many physical and intellectual improvements. “Riding can improve a person’s walking ability; The movement of the horse causes the rider’s pelvis, trunk and shoulder girdle to react in ways very similar to those produced when a person walks. The horse is also invaluable in providing the feeling of proper stride length. “There is also a fantastic therapeutic effect from horses that calms people with intellectual disabilities who may not otherwise have any social interaction, not to mention the feeling of elation and pride that our riders, big and small, get from interacting with such magnificent animals.” The organisation relies totally on the goodwill and generosity of others for all their costs, so the Mazda Foundation grant will provide much needed help.

March 2012 Recipients
Henderson Intermediate School

Henderson Intermediate School has received a $2,500 grant from the Mazda Foundation to purchase new musical instruments for the student members of the West City Junior Band Programme. The West City Junior Band Programme is a government funded initiative, but the purchasing and maintenance of musical instruments is covered by the schools involved. The students in this programme perform with the West City Senior Band at special events throughout the year and also play for the RSA Christmas Parade in Henderson. Henderson Intermediate School is well renowned for the students’ musical talents and the emphasis placed on developing students’ abilities in the Arts. Principal Dale, of Henderson Intermediate School, says, “I firmly believe the new instruments will provide a tremendous boost for the students and will take them to new standards of performance. We have the opportunity and potential to create a band of ‘excellence’ if we have the full complement of instruments. “With the injection of these new musical resources, our students will have greater opportunities to participate in inter-school music competitions, workshops, festivals and exchanges, providing a great platform for the students to share their musical talents with the community.”

March 2012 Recipients
Arohanui Special School

The Mazda Foundation has donated $8307 to Arohanui Special School to purchase new sensory equipment for its students. Arohanui Special School caters for students aged 5 – 21 years who have intellectual disabilities, including those with profound and multiple disabilities. Trudi Brocas, Assistant Principal at Arohanui Special School, says, “Our students require very high levels of support to access learning, which involves developmentally appropriate programmes, encouraging sensory exploration, problem solving, and communication.” Students at Arohanui Special School learn about the environment and themselves through the senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch and movement. The school aims to provide a stimulating multi-sensory curriculum for all its students.