Support blooming brilliant

Bridget Abernethy, left, Andrew Clearwater and Project Crimson trustee Ruud Kleinpaste admire the new utes Mazda has given the trust. Photo / Supplied

Mazda helps trust get tree message to the masses

Mazda New Zealand has reaffirmed its ongoing support of one of New Zealand's best-known charities, donating two BT-50 utes to the Project Crimson Trust.

Project Crimson is one of New Zealand's leading conservation organisations, working to renew and restore native flora, including one of our national symbols - the pohutukawa, known as the Kiwi Christmas tree. Mazda has been a partner of the project for more than eight years.

The new BT-50 utes provide the trust with strong, reliable work vehicles for transporting the thousands of native trees and saplings they plant around the country each year. The utes also allow the trees to be planted in areas where the decline of native species is at its greatest.

Bridget Abernethy, executive director of the Project Crimson Trust, believes the support the trust receives from Mazda is an invaluable part of its work.

"Mazda continues to be a highly valued partner," she said. "The beautifully decorated BT-50s are becoming icons of Project Crimson wherever we go.

"The trust not only works to renew populations of native trees such as the pohutukawa and rata, it also coordinates maintenance activities, conducts research, undertakes pest-control programmes and engages in public education.

"By allowing us to take our message to the communities and, of course, to deliver such a large number of plants to even the most remote locations, Mazda has become an important part of the Trust's mission."

The two BT-50s will replace two older Mazda models the trust now uses, and are wrapped in an eye-catching pohutukawa design which will make them instantly recognisable.

Mazda's partnership between the Project Crimson Trust not only helps renew native trees, but also delivers environmental education through its Treemendous School Makeovers.

Four Treemendous School Makeovers are given each year to primary or intermediate schools as part of the joint initiative between the Mazda Foundation and Project Crimson. Schools are invited to submit their vision for transforming their grounds and bringing together the environment and education.

Andrew Clearwater, managing director of Mazda New Zealand, was pleased to continue supporting Project Crimson.

"Through our vehicle sponsorship and initiatives like Treemendous, Mazda is proud to be associated with such a worthwhile charity," he said.

"It is because of the great work the Project Crimson Trust does that New Zealanders will be able to enjoy our native trees for generations to come."