Providing meaningful support across the Z station network

Z Energy’s (Z) Regional Boost is an initiative which aims to provide meaningful support to the local communities where Z has a presence through its service station network.   

Z Energy’s (Z) Regional Boost is an initiative which aims to provide meaningful support to the local communities where Z has a presence through its service station network.  

After a successful pilot in 2023, Z has grown its Regional Boost initiative to better support communities that need it most across the motu. The initiative employs a unique and proactive funding approach that utilises data from the NZ deprivation index to identify areas with high levels of socio-economic need across Aotearoa New Zealand.

“With Z being ‘for Aotearoa New Zealand’ and a nationwide retail network across the country, the initiative has grown in 2024 to better reflect our social impact commitment,” says Abbie Bull, Head of Sustainability and Community at Z.  

In addition to analysing deprivation, the initiative focuses on empowering and engaging local Z retailers to guide which not-for-profit groups they believe are undertaking important and meaningful work within their communities. 

“Our retailers who have a presence within these communities are best placed to guide us on where we can provide the most meaningful support, and it means we can do this in a way that removes common barriers to accessing funds, such as lengthy applications,” says Abbie.

This year, 11 community groups have been selected across the country to receive a share of the $150,000 fund. Key groups include foodbanks; te ao Māori informed support for at-risk rangatahi; community spaces that offer a place of maanakitanga; awa restoration; and flood recovery support.   

“In addition to supporting all the important mahi each community group is undertaking, we hope that this initiative will enable us to continue to create meaningful and enduring relationships within the communities in which we operate,” says Abbie.