Canon Oceania awards NZD $5,000 grants to four NZ charities

Canon Oceania has announced the recipients for its 2025 Grants Programme, recognising four grassroots organisations for their impact on social, environmental, educational, and cultural challenges in New Zealand.

Each selected organisation will receive NZD $5,000 in funding and Canon technology, intended to help amplify their community initiatives and expand their positive influence throughout Aotearoa.

Programme history

The Canon Oceania Grants Programme has supported more than 120 not-for-profits, community organisations and schools over the past 19 years, providing more than NZD $600,000 in aid to help groups raise awareness of local issues and strengthen their impact.

Kotaro Fukushima, Managing Director for Canon Oceania, said the company's belief in the importance of community is fundamental to its operations. He stated,

"Canon's belief that community is the fabric of our society is at the heart of everything we do, and technology can play an important role in sharing stories and bringing people together. This year's Grants Programme winners are a powerful example of that belief in action, and we are proud to celebrate the spirit behind their work. We share in their celebrations and look forward to seeing how these grants make a real and lasting difference across New Zealand."

Community Award: Ko Wai Au Trust

The Te Awamutu-based Ko Wai Au Trust has been recognised for its work supporting over 200 rangatahi in the past year. The trust addresses a series of needs for young people, ranging from facilitating access to bank accounts, providing work experience, and offering mental health services. Most of the children currently supported are referred by families and caregivers, a pattern Ko Wai Au Trust identifies as encouraging in terms of outreach and awareness.

Co-Founder and General Manager, Georgina Christie, noted the ongoing need in the local community, emphasising the role of early intervention. Christie explained the intended use of Canon's grant, saying,

"Winning this Grant will help empower our team to capture and share the true impact of our work and create a platform for rangatahi to provide feedback."

Environment Award: Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust

The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust is dedicated to conserving the country's native butterfly and moth species. The organisation supplies resources to schools and gardening groups and empowers the public with research and advice to nurture habitats suitable for these local species.

The Canon Grant will support the trust in examining the country's copper butterflies. Experts believe there may be more species in this group than are currently recognised. Trust Secretary Jacqui Knight pointed out that accurate identification is key to their conservation work, stating,

"We can't save our butterflies if we can't identify the different species, and Canon's technology makes that possible."

Cultural Award: Deaf Way

Deaf Way, a charity established by a husband-and-wife team, advocates for the Deaf community by creating online courses that address subjects such as budgeting, health and self-advocacy. These resources aim to support equal opportunities for Deaf individuals and build a more inclusive society.

The organisation will use the grant to produce a course focusing on financial literacy to support Deaf and Turi Māori communities. Founder David Brown highlighted the barriers to information and support faced by the Deaf community and said,

"This Grant will ensure Deaf Way continues to create awareness about the Deaf community as well as improve the information inequity the Deaf community faces."

Education Award: Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi

Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi provides hands-on environmental education, particularly focusing on food production and reuse strategies for young people. Since 2021, it has provided tamariki with practical skills for climate action on a dedicated campus.

The Canon Grant will enable the team to record educational programmes and community events, with the intention of making these resources available online. Sandi Bobkova, Learning Advisor and Lead Horticulturalist, stated,

"Receiving this Grant means we can capture and share the learning that happens here every day. We'll be able to record our education programmes and community events through high-quality photo and video, creating resources that showcase the mahi on site and inspire even more people to get involved. We're so grateful to our community for their collaboration and support, and to Canon for providing this Grant and equipment."

The four grants aim to help the recipients expand their impact within their communities by supporting technology-driven storytelling, research, and resource creation.