NZ Post is supporting charitable organisations and social enterprises in local communities with a free courier service.
The Delivering for Good programme is in its second year and will soon be helping around 10 community organisations to supply up to 34,000 free domestic courier services for one year. One organisation will also get to win an extra year of free courier services.
“For us, delivering for New Zealand also means supporting the neighbourhoods and communities where we live and work,” NZ Post sustainability manager Dawn Baggaley says.
“We’re proud to be running our Delivering for Good programme for the second year and to be able to facilitate free courier services for deserving local organisations.”
Baggaley encouraged organisations to apply now.
“We’re looking for a range of deserving programmes which help people connect and feel included; whether that be delivering goods to people without access or sending products for companies who employ people from marginalised groups.
“We want to hear from you and encourage all social enterprises and charities to enter.”
Last year’s Delivering for Good’s overall winner was Downlights, a New Zealand owned and operated fragranced soy candle company based in Auckland.
Their candles are hand poured and the entire manufacturing process supports the development of a variety of workplace skills and offers employment opportunities for young adults with Down syndrome and cognitive disabilities.
Downlights managing director Jennifer Del Bel says winning the free courier products allowed the organisation to grow and employ another permanent crew member (Taylor).
“Taylor was part of our 2021-22 work experience programme and while we were keen to offer her a role following completion of the programme, due to the challenges that we faced from the impact of Covid-19 on our business, this possibility was becoming less and less likely.
“The business growth that the NZ Post Delivering for Good has contributed to us has allowed us to offer Taylor a role which will pay her a fair living wage that recognises her contribution to Downlights.”
Del Bel says the initiative has helped Downlights to continue to challenge the commonly held perception that the disabled workforce is only suitable for low-paid unskilled, repetitive work.
“We have worked with our crew, including Taylor, to develop their skills and confidence, to a point where we are confident to compare their work head-to-head against the work of the most skilled, non-disabled artisans.”
*Applications are now open for organisations and community groups until April 11. Email community@nzpost.co.nz or go to deliveringforgood.co.nz for more information.
