Charity fundraising key to successful support of New Zealand Open

A successful first-year partnership between Craigs Investment Partners and the New Zealand Open Charitable Trust (NZOCT) at the recent New Zealand Open bodes well for ongoing charity support.

Craigs is a longstanding major sponsor of the New Zealand Open, presented by Millbrook Resort, and returned to the tournament for the third time with new initiative the Long Putt Challenge and crowd favourite Birdies for Charity.

Both events are designed to raise funds for local and regional charities in keeping with Craigs’ goals to create positive change through sport.

The Long Putt Challenge encouraged visitors to ‘have a go’ at making a Long Putt hole-in-one with two attempts available after making a donation to support the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART). All successful contestants over the four days of the tournament went into a daily draw to win $1,000 prize money from Craigs and a Canon PowerShot GOLF laser rangefinder donated by Canon.

The initiative supported LDART’s current fundraising campaign aimed to raise $210,000 for equipment to fit out a new rescue helicopter. The Craigs Long Putt Challenge raised $7,000 throughout the tournament which the NZOCT topped up to $23,000 to meet that goal.

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LDART chairman Jules Tapper says he is extremely grateful to Craigs and NZOCT for their continued help in raising vital funds towards emergency helicopter services in the Southern area.

“The primary use of funds raised is for essential aero medical equipment and mandatory paramedic recurrence training, a service that has never been fully funded by the Government agencies which call it out. The support of Craigs, NZOCT and members of the public is very welcome.”

Craigs has long been a proud supporter of Cure Kids and was delighted to contribute $11,000, representing 50% of the funds raised through Craigs Birdies for Charity with the remaining funds supporting NZOCT in their charitable endeavours.

Cure Kids is the largest non‑government funder of child health research in New Zealand.

Cure Kids CEO Frances Soutter says they are “incredibly grateful” to Craigs and everyone who took part in the tournament. “It’s a wonderful result that will directly support research into major health issues affecting the lives of our Tamariki.

“Our ongoing partnership with Craigs is built on shared values and a genuine commitment to creating long-term impact, and it’s fantastic this is continuing to drive meaningful change for child health in Aotearoa.”

NZOCT chair Brian Cadzow says they had a very successful first-year partnership with the event and associated sponsors.

“We know we’re on the right path to achieve our goals of being able to make meaningful donations to charities, projects and sport in the region by building a sizable endowment fund and having regular income from New Zealand Open activities.

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“We want to thank all sponsors and partners which supported activations and provided equipment, and we’re delighted that the Craigs Birdies for Charity and Long Putt together raised close to $30,000.”

Jeremy Williamson, Head of Private Wealth and Markets for Craigs Investment Partners is thrilled with the result.

“We’re delighted to see the skills of those on the course and the generosity of spectators helping us make meaningful charity contributions while bringing people together for fun and competition through ‘golf for good’.”

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