Z Energy partners with Dave Letele to continue making a positive community impact
Community March 19, 2024
Z Energy (Z) and Dave Letele’s charity organisation Buttabean Motivation (BBM), have signed a three-year funding agreement – working collectively to support communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The partnership is the first of its kind for Z says the company’s Head of Community and Sustainability, Abbie Bull, representing their long-term commitment to doing good across the motu.
“Z proudly stands for a resilient and healthy Aotearoa New Zealand that empowers both communities and the wider Z whānau. Our partnership with Dave and his charity BBM, helps us connect to communities in a way Z cannot do on its own.”
BBM was founded by Dave Letele in 2014, with the aim of reducing obesity amongst Māori and Pacific People in New Zealand through education thereby enabling them to choose a healthy and active lifestyle for the duration of their lives, their children, their wider family, and the community.
“This partnership with Z is a testament to the power of collaboration between community and business. It's been tough for us and many community groups and we are so grateful”, says Dave.
This new partnership follows a successful collaboration between Z and BBM last year, where Dave took on a role as Z’s Good in the Hood ambassador.
Good in the Hood is Z’s community initiative that sees $1 million shared between local charity and community groups across Aotearoa New Zealand. Last year, Z set out to better represent and reflect the communities it serves and set a target to have 17 percent of support from Good in the Hood go towards Māori‐led organisations – aligned to the percentage of Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand’s population.
“We realised to grow participation from these organisations, we needed some help from an expert in on‑the‑ground Māori engagement. Dave’s support last year helped us triple support to Māori‐led organisations, to around 10 percent,” says Abbie.
Reaching Z’s 17 percent target will continue to be a focus for this new partnership, in addition to helping Z and their local retailers better engage with the communities in which they operate.
Abbie continues, “We’re always looking at ways to maximise the positive impact we have on our communities. Our mahi with Dave and his organisation will help us do this in a meaningful way and allow us to make a difference for the communities and customers we serve.”