Community groups to receive a funding boost as Z Energy opens Good in the Hood voting

Instore voting for Z's Good in the Hood in the programme is now open.

When the One New Zealand Warriors mascot Tiki made an appearance at Z Energy’s (Z) Highbrook station, there were countless toots of support and chants of “Up the Wahs” from the community. Tiki popped by the station in August to spread the word about the Warriors’ charitable arm, The Warriors Community Foundation, which has been selected to participate in Z’s Good in the Hood campaign at Z Highbrook.

Through Good in the Hood, Z is sharing $1 million with community groups across the country, with each Z service station selecting four local groups to receive a share of the funds. Customers then get to have a say in how the money is shared between the groups, by using an orange token to vote for their favourite organisation. 

“The Warriors Community Foundation focuses community programmes and initiatives aimed at improving mental health, literacy, anti-bullying and overall wellbeing for children, youth, and families,” says the organisation’s CEO Lincoln Jefferson. “Our aim is to connect, educate and inspire our community through the mana of the One New Zealand Warriors.” 

Being part of Good in the Hood helps raise awareness and funds for the organisation and is also a chance to learn about the work of other great community groups. “I think Good in the Hood is not only great for the Warriors Community Foundation, but for other community groups to get recognised and get some much-needed funds as well. I love the fact that it's not just one charity getting funds – everybody gets a little bit of the pie,” Lincoln adds. 

Z Retailer Melanie Kennerley, who operates a number of stations across the Auckland region alongside her husband Wayne, says: “This year has been the hardest year to select the four groups at each site. We received the largest number of applicants yet, with all the groups working so hard to support those in need in our local community. A big part of the initiative is promoting and celebrating the awesome work they do in our neighbourhoods, while also providing the organisations with a funding top-up.  We are really looking forward to working with them all.” 

Z’s Head of Community and Sustainability, Abbie Bull says that Good in the Hood supports a huge number of local groups and charities whose hard mahi is making a significant difference on the front lines of their communities.  

“The spirit of Good in the Hood is to listen to our communities, who can tell us best about where the money should go. It forms part of our commitment to supporting the needs of the diverse communities across the country,” she says. 

Abbie says Z is encouraging people to pop into their local Z store and vote for their favourite community group, before the voting period closes on 22 September.