In March 2024, the
Mazda Foundation distributed grants totalling over $56,000
to grassroots initiatives throughout New Zealand. A
significant portion, exceeding $15,000, was allocated to
environmental projects.

These initiatives reflect a
growing request for grants from various groups dedicated to
environmental conservation, empowering local communities and
organisations to make meaningful gains in preserving New
Zealand’s natural habitats. Fostering sustainability and
biodiversity, these initiatives aim to safeguard the future
of New Zealand’s ecosystems.

With over 3000 species in
New Zealand classified as threatened or at risk of
extinction* there is a clear need for work in the
biodiversity space. Meanwhile, wetlands, which have declined
90% since human settlement due to drainage and invasive
species, can help provide critical ecosystem
support.

“At Mazda Foundation, we’re committed to
supporting grassroots initiatives that drive change and are
deeply rooted in their communities. We have noticed a shift
in more requests coming from environmental groups compared
to last year,” stated David Hodge, Managing Director of
Mazda New Zealand, and Chairman of the Mazda
Foundation.

There was a significant rise in
organisations requesting funding for expansion of trapping
networks, creating pest control trap lines. Successful
applicants this year includes Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and
The Greenhithe Community Trust Board.

“Greenhithe
Community Trust was delighted to receive funds towards
advanced traps called ATT220s to create a trapline along the
neck of its peninsula, like a fence, to prevent the
re-invasion of possums and rats.”

Restore Rodney
East Incorporated has also received funding that aims to
increase pest control measures.

Sarah Churchouse,
Facilitator, expressed her gratitude. “This grant enables
us to deploy advanced multi-species, automatic resetting and
reluring pest traps. These traps are especially crucial in
areas affected by kauri dieback, where protection from both
human interference and pest animals is necessary. This
significantly enhances our ability to safeguard native
wildlife.”

In the Central Plateau, Kevin Eastwood,
another grant recipient, will use the funds from the Mazda
Foundation to analyse water samples from Tokaanu Stream, a
critical step in ecosystem restoration.

Tasman Bay
Guardians also hope to support water restoration efforts
with the acquisition of an additional Stream Health
Monitoring and Assessment Kit. Gathering critical data to
protect waterways highlights the power of community
collaboration in conservation efforts.

Mountains to
Sea Monitoring Team Lead and Northland Programme
Coordinator, Ceara Wallace said their grant will allow them
to upgrade marine monitoring and surveillance equipment.
Wallace said that with the support of the Mazda Foundation,
effective monitoring of marine ecosystems can be done,
paving the way for sustainable management. “The funds will
be used to upgrade our Go-Pro Hero 4s to buy the latest
model which are critical to our work,” she
said.

David Hodge expressed that grants showcase how
Mazda Foundation has a commitment to grassroots initiatives.
“By empowering local communities and organisations, we can
collectively make an impact on preserving New Zealand’s
natural heritage.”

The Mazda Foundation will
continue to support initiatives that champion environmental
sustainability and community resilience.

The other
successful grants were in the social, disability and
community areas.

For more information about the Mazda
Foundation and its grant programs, visit https://mazdafoundation.org.nz/

*
Ministry for the Environment & Stats NZ (2019). New
Zealand’s Environmental Reporting Series: Environment
Aotearoa 2019. Available from environment.govt.nz
and www.stats.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media