The Telecom Foundation represents a move away from the style of philanthropy Telecom has practiced in the past, but it certainly is not out of step with the sheer amount of community giving the company has previously undertaken.

There are many initiatives that Telecom has been involved with on a long term basis that have made real, measurable improvements to the lives of people in the community. Some of these include:

• IHC Telecom Art awards: another long-term relationship which celebrated and supported the work of the best “outsider” artists in the country.
• Starship Children’s Hospital: Starship is able to keep its air ambulance service alive largely thanks to a programme it runs recycling old mobile phones. All phones returned to Telecom – over 106,000 phones and counting – have been recycled for charity. The Starship Foundation and the hospital earns income from the refurbishment and reselling of the devices.
• First Foundation – a unique, four year scholarship that provides talented students from low-decile backgrounds with tertiary fee assistance, paid work experience and one-on-one mentoring.
• Red Cross: trainied and equipped NZ Red Cross to assist Kiwis in times of disaster.
• St John Youth Programme: fostering the development of socially responsible and caring young people, aged six to 18.
• Whats Up: a helpline providing a friendly sounding board – and sound advice – to the more than one million young callers each year.
• Richmond NZ: a national provider of community mental health and support services.

As well as these initiatives, Telecom also supported such as Women’s Refuge, Springboard Trust, Cancer Society, Spectrum Care, Barnardos, the Hearing House, city missions and the Salvation Army throughout the year.

As an organisation we respond quickly and comprehensively to help rebuild communities affected by natural disasters (such as the Christchurch earthquake) or provide technology solutions where there is an urgent need. We also play a role in channeling the concerns of our people and facilitating generosity in times of crisis (like the tragedy of Pike River, after the coal mine disaster).