TVNZ & New Zealand Post make a big splash for water safety
6 July 2011
TVNZ & New Zealand Post make a big splash for water safety
Two of New Zealand's highest profile crown companies have joined forces in a major sponsorship deal aimed at making a dent in the country's disastrous record for death by drowning.
TVNZ and New Zealand Post today announced sponsorship of a Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) campaign which will deliver practical resources and televised water safety messages to the country in a package worth up to $1.3 million dollars per annum.
TVNZ is providing free air time for WSNZ, using television
personalities and the
company's promotional expertise, under its Community Support
Foundation scheme.
New Zealand Post will be using its extensive community networks and
outreach to spread water safety messages and distribute swimming
aids like kickboards, rash tops and goggles to encourage children
to safely enjoy one of New Zealand's most valued lifestyle
resources - the water.
Last year in New Zealand 87 people drowned, according to official numbers released today in WSNZ's annual Drowning Report.
Alan Muir, Executive Director of WSNZ says TVNZ and New Zealand Post's generosity will save lives. "New Zealand has one of the worst drowning tolls in the developed world. Our partnership with TVNZ and New Zealand Post will enable us to reach so many more people and increase the importance of water safety as a vital issue for all New Zealand communities."
TVNZ Chief Executive, Rick Ellis, says: "As the country's national broadcaster, TVNZ is proud to support an organisation that does so much good in the lives of New Zealanders. We're throwing our full weight behind the efforts to improve New Zealand's water safety statistics. This year, Water Safety New Zealand will receive up to $100,000 free air time each month to raise the profile of their work. It is the largest grant TVNZ has made to a single charity. Our partnership with New Zealand Post will take the campaign to a new level and make an even bigger impact within the community."
New Zealand Post Chair, Hon Dr Michael Cullen, says the campaign will appeal to New Zealanders from all walks of life, encouraging them to get active and enjoy the water, but to do so in safe and sensible ways. "As an organisation we're launching a number of initiatives this year which encourage people to get involved in healthy activities, which are rewarding on so many levels. Our support of Water Safety New Zealand aligns perfectly with that message, encouraging young and old alike to enjoy some of New Zealand's most abundant natural resources in ways which keep them and their families safe."
An event to launch the partnership will be held at Parliament on 6 July emceed by TV ONE Breakfast presenter Petra Bagust.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Alan Muir, Water Safety New Zealand, phone 027 4725 028
Georgie Hills, TVNZ Corporate Affairs, phone 021 415 293
Michael Tull, New Zealand Post, phone 027 837 6179
Notes to the editor
About Water Safety New Zealand
Formed in 1949, Water Safety New Zealand is the national
organisation responsible for water safety education in New Zealand.
WSNZ is a composite organisation of various members, and has a
vision to ensure that all people in New Zealand will have the water
safe attitudes, skills and behaviour necessary to use and enjoy the
environment. The organisation achieves its objectives by its own
establishment/entity being able to provide a wide range of services
and support to its members and the wider public, and by its member
organisations taking responsibility for specific aspects of water
safety. Each member organisation has its own objectives and sphere
of interest, including aspects of water safety and the prevention
of drowning. Collectively, WSNZ represents the wide focus of water
safety and drowning prevention in New Zealand.
About TVNZ
For over 20 years TVNZ has provided millions of dollars of airtime
to help charitable organisations and community groups. Past
recipients include the National Heart Foundation, Surf Life Saving
New Zealand and the SPCA. TVNZ is New Zealand's leading television
and digital media company. TVNZ has two commercial free-to-air
channels TV ONE and TV2, and two digital commercial channels U and
TVNZ Heartland and one digital non-commercial channel TVNZ 7. TVNZ
also has a significant online presence with tvnz.co.nz, providing
up-to-the-minute news, and entertainment. TVNZ Ondemand is TVNZ's
online television catch up site, where New Zealanders can watch
their favourite shows whenever they want to.
About New Zealand Post
New Zealand Post has a strong tradition of sponsoring community
programmes, and has recently focused on a set of initiatives which
encourage people to improve their health and wellbeing by including
more physical activity in their lives. This new focus, dubbed
'Active Post', includes the current water safety partnership
alongside other major programmes which will encourage healthy
activity - including a new approach to teaching children basic
sports skills. An active supporter of community initiatives, New
Zealand Post is 100 percent public owned, and assists government,
commercial and personal customers with postal services, banking,
courier services, logistics and customer communications.
