Telecom ends sponsorship

Telecom is terminating its popular School Connection programme, which allows residential customers to "sponsor" a favourite school or preschool and boost their spending on technology.

Telecom chief operating officer Kevin Kenrick said by 2008 Telecom would have been involved with the sponsorship programme for 15 years.

The programme had raised $120 million from the monthly spend of Telecom residential customers.

New points could continue to be collected until January 31, with schools and preschools given until July 31 next year to spend their accrued points.