In the Community

NZ Bus believes it plays a key role in all the communities we serve. Public transport, by its very nature, ensures people have a safe, easy and convenient way of getting about the places where they live, work and play.

One of the most important features of public transport is that it is affordable. This also means that NZ Bus does not have a large or limitless budget for sponsorships. However, we do help organisations in the community where we can.

Community partnerships

Gillies McIndoe Research Institute

Valley Flyer has joined with the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in a new community partnership. The Gillies McIndoe Research Institute will conduct research into reconstructive plastic surgery, which will help change the lives of those living with disfiguring and sometimes life threatening medical conditions. The Institute is to be based at the Hutt Valley Hospital and Valley Flyer is delighted to help contribute to the establishment of such a worthwhile organisation.

Kidz First Children's Hospital

Waka Pacific is proud to support Kidz First Children's Hospital. Kidz First Children's Hospital delivers family-centered health care to the children of Counties Manukau. Their focus on the medical, emotional and social needs of young people helps grow healthy communities for everyone. Waka Pacific's distinctive Kidz First bus has become a familiar sight to many Waka Pacific passengers.

Starship Children’s Health

NZ Bus, through its North Star community brand, is proud to be in a community partnership with the Starship Foundation. North Star supports the Starship Foundation by helping to grow awareness of the important services provided by Starship Children’s Health to children from all over New Zealand and the Pacific. North Star’s distinctive ‘Starbus’ can be seen cruising the streets and has become a familiar sight to many North Star and Orewa passengers.

Island Bay Marine Education Centre

GO Wellington celebrates its new community partnership with the Island Bay Marine Education Centre. The Marine Education Centre encourages the protection, enhancement, and enjoyment of local, national, and global marine environments through public education programmes, live displays, and community initiated research and service projects.

Neonatal Trust

GO Wellington is proud to be a supporter of the Neonatal Trust and its work with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. GO Wellington endeavours to bring awareness to the Trust with its Neonatal bus that has become a familiar sight around the streets of Wellington.

Zealandia - The Karori Sanctuary Experience

GO Wellington is pleased to support ZEALANDIA: the Karori Sanctuary Experience. This celebrated mainland conservation 'island' provides a safe haven for some of New Zealand's most iconic and endangered native birds, insects and reptiles.

Wellington Zoo

Established in 1906, Wellington Zoo was New Zealand's first zoo. Previously operated by the Wellington City Council, it became a charitable trust in 2003. GO Wellington is proud to play its part in supporting the Zoo's endeavours in Wellington.

Wellington Museums Trust:

The Wellington Museums Trust is a uniquely diverse group of arts and heritage experiences located within the heart of New Zealand's 'cultural capital'. GO Wellington is pleased to help support the Wellington Museums Trust which sees around 700,000 people come to visit, see a show, go to an exhibition or attend a school programme at the WMT facilities each year.

Sponsorships

Auckland Festival

Metrolink is proud to sponsor the Auckland Festival. The festival is a celebration of cultures and presents a range of ticketed and free events featuring New Zealand and international performers. The Artbus, designed by well known artist Sara Hughes, took to the streets of Auckland during the Auckland Festival 2009 and took part in the Artlink ‘tour of galleries’.

ASB Polyfest

Waka Pacific is proud to sponsor the ASB Polyfest, an event that continues to celebrate the cultural diversity of the Auckland region by showcasing the very best of Maori and Pacific Island secondary school cultural performance talent. In March 2009 the ASB Polyfest is in its 34th year.

Wellington Free Ambulance

GO Wellington continues its support of the Wellington Free Ambulance and was proud to be a major sponsor of the first Ride of Your Life event.

Wellington Round the Bays

GO Wellington is proud to help Wellingtonians 'Push Play' by supporting the Wellington Round the Bays. This annual event, held on Wellington’s waterfront attracts around 10,000 participants.

Cuba Street Carnival

As the streets of inner-city Wellington transform into New Zealand's largest street party, GO Wellington celebrates its involvement as a sponsor of the Cuba Street Carnival. During the 2009 carnival, German street artist, via Grafik and Auckland’s Cut Collective transformed a GO Wellington bus in to a moving piece of art. It can be seen on the streets of Wellington until the end of May.

Community Support

Wattie’s Cans Film Festival:

Metrolink continues to support the annual Wattie’s Cans Film Festival.

Pack the Bus:

Each year THE BREEZE Wellington and GO Wellington assist the Wellington City Mission in collecting non perishable food items and toys for underprivileged families. We visit local businesses, schools and suburbs all around Wellington. 2008 was another hugely successful year, and thanks to the wonderful people of Wellington we managed to collect two GO Wellington bus loads of goods for the Wellington City Mission.

in2it:

Youth Destination Project (in2it) is a SPARC funded project that operates out of North Shore City Council. North Star is proud to be associated with In2it who provide a wide variety of opportunities for young people aged 10-15 years. This year in2it has delivered a number of activities including a 50 metre slip ‘n’ slide, skateboarding workshops, BMX competitions, wakeboarding, beach cricket, hip hop dance workshops, and has plenty more planned. Keep an eye out for the in2it Amazing Race, where teams of four ‘race’, using the North Star bus service, to complete challenges around the North Shore and get to the finish line first.

View Auckland

NZ Bus is proud to work with View Auckland - the essential guide to the Auckland Region.