Annual report 2008-2009 online

Read the Annual Report 2008-2009. It contains a summary of our performance and achievements. 

The links below will take you to the respective section.

• Vision and values
• Innovation and leadership
• Highlights of 2008–2009
• Our people
• Supporting our work
• Our achievements
• Summary statement of service performance
• Audit Report
• Summary financial statement 
• Major supporters to the RNZFB 
• Get involved
  

Vision and values

Our vision

Empowering and supporting blind and partially sighted New Zealanders to ensure they have the same opportunities and choices as everyone else

Our values

Respect

• People are individuals and we value their unique needs and strengths
• We respect and enable the individual's right to choose
• We give members the tools to fulfil their goals
• We treat people with dignity

Integrity

• We are responsible, accountable and honest
• We are professional at all times
• We stay true to our purpose, by ensuring members and clients are at the centre of everything we do

Teamwork

• We value the contribution of everyone in the RNZFB team: members, Board, staff, volunteers, supporters and consumer organisations
• We make best use of internal skills and expertise
• We believe in collaborating and sharing information
• We celebrate and recognise success

Excellence

• We strive for excellence and quality in everything we do
• We focus our efforts on dealing with the effects of sight loss
• We promote continuous improvements and innovation across all services and activities
• Our actions and decisions ensure that the Foundation is viable now and in the future

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Innovation and leadership

Building a strong and enduring Foundation

For over a hundred years the Foundation has connected members to expert staff and their peers to gain the training, tools and tips they need to deal with blindness and achieve their potential.

Even in a year of uncertainty and economic recession, it is our history and the achievements and contributions of our people that lay the groundwork for the way forward. This past year has been one of planning for historic change in the Foundation, as the recession accelerated our need to adapt and chart a sustainable future.

The Foundation has not been alone in the need to focus our efforts and adapt the way we work in order to be financially sustainable. Worldwide, the voluntary sector has been profoundly affected by a sharp decrease in public donations and a loss on investment assets. This year the Foundation faced a decline of 27% in income from discretionary giving, in addition to reduced income from investments. We acted quickly to reduce expenditure, without reducing services to members, reducing staff levels or undermining our long-term investments for future generations. A number of operational efficiency initiatives were put in place in addition to a new streamlined marketing and fundraising strategy to position us for financial sustainability now and growth into the future.

We were fortunate to develop a new strategic plan for 2009-2015 after a year of robust consultation with our members, staff, volunteers, supporters, consumer organisations and our Board. The strategic plan will guide and inspire the courageous change needed to take us forward. Our core business will stay the same: we will continue to provide services and training for essential blindness skills to help blind and partially sighted people overcome barriers and play a full and active part in society. At the same time we set a clear priority to redesign the way we deliver our services and partner with others to ensure blind and partially sighted people get the services they need and we are financially sustainable.

The Strategic Plan sets out five strategic priorities. Alongside delivering essential blindness skills are priorities of building partnerships, supporting an accessible and equitable society, empowering members, and building a strong, enduring, outcomes-oriented Foundation. The heart of these priorities is clear, that we put the client at the centre of everything we do, providing essential blindness services which let our members and other blind and partially sighted New Zealanders:

• have access to information, literacy, adaptive equipment and technology;
• manage everyday tasks independently at home;
• move safely and confidently in the community;
• contribute as part of the paid or unpaid workforce; 
• gain peer support, social interaction, recreation and assurance as blind or partially sighted people.

The service remodelling project; the biggest piece of work the Foundation will undertake in 2009-2010 is already well underway. We are reviewing the way we do things and will be creating a new model of service delivery that truly puts the client at the centre of everything we do and ensures we have the finances to do so.

The past year also brought some promising interest from key stakeholders in the community, corporate and government sectors. In April, John Key became the first Prime Minister to visit the Foundation's Awhina House offices in Auckland in nearly 20 years. We were also visited by the Minister for Social Development, Paula Bennett and in contact with a number of other key government officials and MPs. In April, we co-hosted a very well attended Parliamentary event with the Minister of Education Hon. Anne Tolley in celebration of the bicentenary of Louis Braille's birth. We also had great progress with our vital digital talking books project in its move from the near obsolete cassettes to accessible digital technology, and growing international best practice software called DAISY. Given that less than 5% of literature is available in forms which blind and partially sighted people can access, it is so important that this project progresses. We completed a successful feasibility study to investigate the potential in raising the $5.5 million dollars required to ensure the digitisation of our library service can go ahead confidently.

Thanks to a few generous supporters, in November last year we celebrated the official opening of our new Guide Dog breeding centre. By then, the centre had already delivered its first litter of puppies gearing up to grow and train into their roles as guide dogs to meet the needs of our members.

The cycle of life goes on. The resignation of myself (Don) and Geoff Gibbs from the Board of Directors signals time for the emergence of a new generation of leaders from within the blind community. Let the tall trees topple so the seedlings push up towards the light. A light that shines on the full citizenship rights of all blind people.

Signed: Don McKenzie, RNZFB Chair
Signed: Sandra Budd, RNZFB Chief Executive

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Highlights of 2008 – 2009

New strategic direction for the Foundation

The Foundation's new Strategic Plan (2009 – 2015) was given the Board's seal of approval in June 2009, after months of robust consultation with members, staff, volunteers, consumers, supporters and other key stakeholders.

The Strategic Plan sets the Foundation's direction for the next six years, and in combination with the new Business Plan (2009-2012), it will help us build an ever stronger, more sustainable organisation. This new direction is supported by five overarching strategic priorities for the Foundation, which include developing blindness skills, partnership building, accessibility and equity, empowerment, and building a strong organisation focused on outcomes.

The Strategic Plan forms the framework as to how the Foundation will redesign the delivery of its services and also seek to build partnerships which help it become more financially viable.

The service remodelling project – the biggest piece of work the Foundation will undertake in 2009-2010 – is well underway. The overall aim is for the Foundation to redesign its current service delivery model, to put our clients at the centre of everything we do and truly be financially sustainable into the future.

Chairman's Award

Following the 2008 Annual General Meeting in Wellington, the Chairman's Award was presented to Robyn Hunt. Robyn was recognised with the award as an acknowledgement and celebration of her many achievements. Robyn was a key player in ensuring the Government's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities earlier in the year.

Foundation goes green

This year, we took some important steps towards becoming a more environmentally sustainable organisation. We joined the Sustainable Business Network, underwent their Get Sustainable Challenge Assessment to identify areas where we could improve, and launched guidelines to help staff make more environmentally aware decisions. In June, we started our nationwide ‘Switch Off' campaign for staff to help reduce our energy use, and soon we aim to start a similar campaign for waste minimisation.

Foundation opens new Guide Dog breeding centre

Almost one year on since the opening, Guide Dog Services have well and truly settled into their new facilities in Homai.

In November 2008, Manukau City Councillor Alf Filipaina opened the new Guide Dog breeding centre on behalf of Manukau Mayor, Len Brown. Prime Minister John Key has also taken time out of his busy schedule this year, checking out the new facilities when he visited the Foundation in May.

The breeding centre is custom designed with closed circuit televisions, which allow close monitoring of births without staff having to be present in the room. This allows a more natural process, with staff only stepping in if absolutely necessary.

It's been a big year for Guide Dogs, all round. In June, Paul Metcalf was appointed as the new National Manager of Guide Dog Services. With over 20 years experience working with the British equivalent of Guide Dogs and the Blind Society in the UK, Paul is well equipped to take up his new position with the Guide Dogs team in Homai.

Digital Talking Books Update

In June the Foundation's Board approved the start of the Digital Talking Books pilot phase.

The pilot begins in November 2009 and will be rolled out to around 500 members. This work has been made possible thanks to support from a number of generous supporters, including $300,000 from the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund.

The first orders for the new talking book players have since been placed with manufacturers Plextor; a Japanese company who also provide players to Vision Australia. The Foundation currently has ten of the Plextor players, which are being trialled by members to ensure ease of use.

Building partnerships

In April, Prime Minister John Key met with Foundation staff at Awhina House to show his support for the 2009 Red Puppy Appeal.

Back for more in May, the Prime Minister visited Guide Dog Services staff and the new premises in Homai, Manurewa.

Both visits have provided a platform to build important relationships with the Prime Minister and his parliamentary staff, while also demonstrating the essential work the Foundation undertakes.

The Foundation has made the most of other relationship building opportunities with government this year. In May, the Foundation, in association with Minister of Education, Hon. Anne Tolley, hosted a special event at Parliament to celebrate the bicentenary of Louis Braille's birth. Attended by Ministers, MPs, members, volunteers and other supporters, the aim of the event was to raise awareness of accessible information for blind and partially sighted New Zealanders, while encouraging further funding.

Also in honour of Louis Braille's 200th anniversary, the Sensation Walk Braille Trail was opened in the Wellington Regional Botanical Gardens in May. The trail, which was developed by Wellington City Council, the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand and the Foundation celebrates senses other than sight and provides a multi sensory way of learning about Louis Braille.

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Our people

Man of the land

John McPeak is a salt of the earth type of guy. With a love of the land and the great outdoors, the fact he is deafblind doesn't hold him back.

John, who helps to manage two South Auckland farms, suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Ushers Syndrome which has resulted in a gradual loss of both vision and hearing.

"I just get on with life," he says. "I'm not going to let a disability stop me from doing the things I want to."

Farming is engrained in the family blood. As a child John learnt the ropes helping out on his uncle's dairy farm in Otaki; now he manages a farm in Takanini and his father's 16 hectare block near Clarkes Beach. John also works in Manukau making stock feed.

Over ten years ago, John's sight deteriorated to a point where he was forced to stop driving. But rather than this slowing him down, he found an alternative set of wheels and now cycles regularly from his home in Papakura to his father's farm.

A less than leisurely ride for most; in 2007 John embarked upon a 1300km ride around New Zealand on 14 foot tandem bike with disabled athlete Rob Creagh. John says the expedition was a great way to experience New Zealand and meet some interesting kiwis along the way.

"New Zealanders are pretty good with people who have disabilities. They are usually understanding and willing to help."

As a man of the land, John is not the sort of person who could be tied down to a desk job. And when he has the spare time, John also prefers to spend it at one with the great outdoors, either tramping, cycling, gardening or on his latest DIY project - building a deck and patio.

DIY is not the only means where John is good with his hands; an enthusiastic wood-turner he enjoys using kauri and gum to make bowls and ornaments.

Prior to cataract removal in both eyes in 2006, John was assisted by his former guide dog Jassel. Jassel, who John calls a multi-skilled canine, helped him get around town and also proved a helping hand getting stock in on the farm.

Following the surgery his vision improved and Jassel was retired as a guide dog, and like John, Jassel has since returned to her roots working on the farm.

Mirabile Dictu – wonderful to relate

Poet and member, Michele Leggott explores the moment when light and darkness define themselves through the human eye in her new collection Mirabile Dictu.

Michele is an award winning poet and scholar who has now published seven collections. She is an Associate Professor of English at The University of Auckland, was the Inaugural NZ Poet Laureate, and is the founder of the NZ Electronic Poetry Centre (NZEPC).

She wrote Mirabile Dictu, meaning ‘wonderful to relate', during the course of her laureateship from early 2008 – June 2009, as she walked into darkness and found new ways of returning.

The book was published at the same time as a CD with selections from Michele's poetry, Michele Leggott / The Laureate Series.

Her passion for poetry began at a young age when her parents read her stories and she learned to read and write. Soon after, she was writing her own poems.

"It's just amazing to realise you have language at your disposal. Poetry is very rule bound, but it is also one of the softest, freest forms for creativity. It's glorious to have this playground where I can do absolutely anything I want."

As Michele's eye sight increasingly failed due to Retinitis Pigmentosa she has moved more and more into the digital world, exploring the relationship between poetry, performance and new technologies through her work.

In 2001 she co-founded the NZ Electronic Poetry Centre website at the University of Auckland – something she may not have considered doing if she still had perfect sight.

"I think NZEPC is a major contribution to New Zealand and Pacific poetry. It makes poetry and poetry information accessible to anyone in New Zealand and the whole world. Everyone benefits."

Michele explores all aspects of life through her poetry because blindness is part but not all of what she is about: "Like everyone else I have multiple roles. I am blind, but I am also a poet and an academic. My lack of sight doesn't stop me from being the person I want to be."

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Supporting our work

New Zealanders making a difference

The Foundation's 2008 Blind Week appeal centred around the extraordinary difference that New Zealander's generosity makes to the lives of our members.

The "See the Difference You Make" campaign ran from 28 October – 3 November 2008, and as a result of the street appeal and direct marketing efforts, a gross income of around $950,000 was raised for the Foundation's essential services.

Thanks to everyone who supported Blind Week 2008; whether it was money or time donated, every effort helps to make a difference.

A general regular giving initiative - See the Difference Programme - was launched at the end of May telling member Sarndra Tamepo's, story.

The programme aimed to recruit new supporters through a television advertising campaign, a direct mail and email campaign and focused on providing funding across all of the Foundation's essential services. To date, 180 of the 200 new supporters have been achieved. The aim of the programme is to secure regular donations now that will sustain the future of the Foundation going forward.

Power to the Puppies!

The Puppy Sponsorship programme is going from strength to strength, with a total of 12,393 puppy sponsors currently on the programme. The programme provides a gross income of approximately $3 million per annum.

Into its third year as one of the Foundation's key fundraising initiatives, the 2009 Red Puppy Appeal – which ran from April 3-5 - was a paw-stomping success, raising almost $1 million.

Guide dogs mean freedom, independence and confidence for around 240 blind and partially sighted Foundation members across the country. Each one is a life-changing lifeline, becoming a friend, companion and a world class mobility aid for blind and partially sighted New Zealanders.

There is a constant demand for guide dogs, and the Puppy Sponsorship programme and Red Puppy Appeal play a vital part in providing funds for the training of dogs. The Foundation provides guide dogs to our members for free, however each one costs over $22,500 to breed, raise, train and match to a member without any government support.

A big thank you to everyone involved in the Puppy Sponsorship programme and the 2009 Red Puppy Appeal. We couldn't do it without you.

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Our achievements

This page gives a brief report on the services and activities within the 2008-2009 Business Plan, and how we measured up to our goals.

The goals were grouped under ten strategic drivers, such as adapting to sight loss and forming strategic alliances. These drivers have been a touchstone for the organisation during the 2020 Sustainability Project, which informed a new strategic plan to guide future business planning.

The economic recession slowed progress on or deferred a number of projects. We needed instead to prioritise other activities aimed at greater efficiencies and reduced costs.

Highlights of the year:

• The new breeding centre for guide dogs was officially opened in November 2008.
• The pilot project to distribute full-text DAISY textbooks to Manurewa High School students was completed.
• The move from a cassette to digital oriented library service continues at pace. Plans for an initial roll-out of CDs and book players have been approved, as a staged move towards internet delivery. Collaborative work on digital books with other blindness agencies continued, including sale of almost 400 Foundation library titles to Australian agencies.
• 503 clients were supported vocationally while 309 members signed up for adaptive technology classes in seven regional centres.
• Seeing the Possibilities programmes were delivered in ten regional centres. Besides teaching adaptive daily living skills, members and volunteer hosts report reduced social isolation.
• A client journey pilot project was initiated in July 2008 to gain information on members' life journeys. The project continues to address improvements in efficiency and quality of services delivered to members.
• The Foundation has developed collaborative relationships with other disability service providers, particularly through active participation in establishing a new NZ Disability Support Network.
• The consultancy service on accessible websites expanded to around ten organisations.
• Four submissions were made across a range of issues, from broadband provision to review of the Health & Disability Commissioner Act. The Foundation was also involved in the successful launch of Braille signage in taxis, following joint lobbying with the Association of Blind Citizens.
• A range of employment initiatives were advanced. These included recruiting a dedicated IT trainer, putting an ICT procurement process in place to ensure all software purchases are accessible, a new performance appraisal framework, process mapping of all HR systems and development of a set of guiding principles for the workforce plan.

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Summary statement of service performance

The following are excerpts from the audited statement of service performance of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind for the year ended 30 June 2009 which was authorised for issue on 28 August 2009. An unqualified audit opinion was issued on the full statement of service performance on 28 August 2009. This summary statement of service performance was authorised for issue on 28 August 2009 by the Board of Directors.

The full statement of service performance has been prepared in accordance with the constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and the New Zealand Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (NZ GAAP). The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is a public benefit entity.

This summary statement of service performance is in compliance with FRS 43 Summary Financial Statements. For a complete understanding of information presented in the summary statement of service performance, members can obtain a full set of audited statement of service performance from the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. Summary statement of service performance cannot be expected to provide as complete and understanding as provided by the full statement of service performance. A copy of the full statement of sevice performance is available form the Board Secretary, Awhina House, 4 Maunsell Road, Parnell, Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland.

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Audit Report to the members of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and Group

We have audited the summary statement of service performance and summary financial statements of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and group for the year ended 30 June 2009 as set out on pages 11 to 12 and 14 to 16.

This report is made solely to the Members, as a body, in accordance with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act 2002 and the Constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to the Members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Board of Directors' Responsibilities

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance in accordance with New Zealand law and generally accepted accounting practice.

Auditors' Responsibilities

It is our responsibility to express to you an independent opinion on the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance.

Basis of Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with New Zealand Auditing Standards. We planned and performed procedures to ensure the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance are consistent with the full financial statements and statement of service performance on which the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance are based. We also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the summary statement of service performance and summary financial statements against the requirements of FRS-43: Summary Financial Statements.

Other than in our capacity as auditor, we have no relationship with or interests in the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and group.

Unqualified Opinion

In our opinion the information reported in the summary statement of service performance and summary financial statements on pages 11 to 12 and 14 to 16 complies with FRS-43: Summary Financial Statements and is consistent with the full financial statements and full statement of service performance from which they are derived and upon which we expressed an unqualified audit opinion in our report to the members dated 28 August 2009.

For a better understanding of the scope of our audit of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and group's financial statements and statement of service performance and of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and group's financial position, financial performance, cash flows and statement of service performance for the year ended 30 June 2009, this report should be read in conjunction with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and group's audited financial statements and statement of service performance for that period.

Our examination of the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance were completed on 28 August 2009 and our unqualified audit opinion is expressed as at that date.

Signed: Deloitte, Chartered Accountants, Auckland, New Zealand

Footnote

This audit report relates to the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and group for the year ended 30 June 2009 included on the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's website. The Board of Directors is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's website. We have not been engaged to report on the integrity of Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's website. We accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance since they were initially presented on the website. The audit report refers only to the summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance named above. It does not provide an opinion on any other information which may have been hyperlinked to/from these summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance. If readers of this report are concerned with the inherent risks arising from electronic data communication they should refer to the published hard copy of the audited summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance and related audit report dated 28 August 2009 to confirm the information included in the audited summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance presented on this website. Legislation in New Zealand governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, statement of service performance, summary financial statements and summary statement of service performance may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Summary Financial Statements

The following are excerpts from the audited financial statements of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind for the year ended 30 June 2009 which were authorised for issue on 28 August 2009. An unqualified audit opinion was issued on the full financial statements on 28 August 2009. These summary financial statements were authorised for issue on 28 August 2009 by the Board of Directors.

The full financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and New Zealand generally accepted accounting practice (NZ GAAP). The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is a public benefit entity.

These summary financial statements are in compliance with FRS 43: Summary Financial Statements, and the functional and presentation currency is New Zealand dollars. For a complete understanding of information presented in the summary financial statements below, members can obtain a full set of audited financial statements from the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's Board Secretary, Awhina House, 4 Maunsell Road, Parnell, Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland. Summary financial statements cannot be expected to provide as complete an understanding as provided by the full financial statements.

Summary Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2009

Summary Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2009

Summary Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2009

Summary Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2009

Notes on the Summary Financial Statements

Revenue recognition

Revenue from donations without specific conditions and without an obligation to repay is recognised at the time of receipt. Legacies are recognised as a receivable/asset when the entity establishes the undisputed right to receive the contribution.

Cash and cash equivalents

At 30 June 2009, cash and cash equivalents included $6,519,000 (2008: $6,416,000) held by the Parent, which was not available for use by the Parent. These amounts relate to cash administered by the Parent on behalf of other trusts and a corresponding liability has been recognised.

Investment properties

The investment properties are at 545 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland, at 18 Epuni Street, Lower Hutt and a half share interest in land to the south of the A505 and north of York Way, Royston, Hertfordshire, England. The property at 18 Epuni Street, Lower Hutt, with a carrying value of $410,000, has restrictions on realisability and may not be sold. The freehold land at Royston, with a carrying value of $1,500,000, is agricultural and lying fallow. This carrying value reflects the half share and the provisions in the co-ownership agreement regarding its realisability.

Prior period adjustment

After consideration during 2009, management has determined that certain trusts fall under the effective control of the Group and should be consolidated. As a result, the funds are restated as equity in the Group Statement of financial position rather than liabilities as previously reported. The impact is an increase in equity of $5,537,000 and $4,451,000 at 30 June 2008 and 30 June 2007 respectively with a corresponding decrease in liabilities. The impact in the 2008 Group Statement of comprehensive income is $154,000 increase in finance income and a reduction of $932,000 in grants.

Reporting entity

The Parent financial statements are for the separate entity the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, while the Group financial statements are for the Parent and its subsidiaries.

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Major supporters to the RNZFB

• A & S Flavell Charitable Trust
• Air New Zealand National Cargo
• Allan G Gould
• Auckland Airport Community Trust
• AXA Hearts In Action
• B R Thorp Trust
• Barbara and David Picot
• Bayleys Realty Group Limited
• Bendigo Valley Sports & Charity Foundation
• Beverley Ethne Pearson Trust
• Caversham Foundation
• Child Health Services
• Community Trust Of Southland
• D B Laxon
• Danesmead Charitable Trust
• De Spa Cosmetics
• Diagnostic Medlab Services Limited
• Dove Electronics Limited
• Dowdall Trust
• Dr Mike Bebb
• Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust
• Eclipse Fund Limited
• Endeavour Community Trust
• EW & BD Wright
• First Sovereign Trust
• Florence C. E. Howland, MBE
• Four Winds Foundation Limited
• G A Waddel Charitable Trust
• Gordon Roberts Charitable Trust
• H R Leslie & Son Limited
• Horowhenua Community Trust
• Hospitality Association of New Zealand - Wellington Branch
• Huckleberry's Sports & Charitable Society Incorporated
• Hutter Charitable Trust
• Hyman Marks Trust
• Infinity Foundation Limited
• J D S Roberts Trust
• Jack Jeffs Charitable Trust
• Joan Dutton
• John Beresford Swan Dudding Trust
• Jones Foundation
• Kelliher Charitable Trust
• Kimberly-Clark New Zealand
• Kingston Sedgfield (NZ) Charitable Trust
• Lions Club Of Johnsonville Inc.
• Lorna Wilkinson
• Mainland Foundation
• Manukau City Council - Dog Registrations
• Miss J Hawken
• Mr & Mrs Richard Johnstone
• Mr H MacDiarmid
• Mrs Jocelyn Hill
• Mrs Olwyn Purvis
• Mt Wellington Foundation Limited
• Murray Carlisle & Philippa Schaab
• N & R Thomson Charitable Trust
• N H Taylor Charitable Trust
• Nestlé Purina PetCare
• New Zealand Community Trust
• Otago Community Trust
• Oxford Sports Trust
• P H Vickery Charitable Trust
• Paul Newman's Own Foundation
• Paymark Co
• Pelorus Trust
• Rangiora High School - Lydiard House
• Rona Palmer Charitable Trust
• Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust
• Roy & Jan Mace Charitable Trust
• Selwyn Robinson Foundation
• SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust
• Specsavers New Zealand Limited
• Taumarunui Opportunity Shop
• Ted & Mollie Carr Endowment Trust
• The Canterbury Community Trust
• The Featherston Bar & Grill
• The Lion Foundation
• The New Zealand Navy
• The Peter Vela Family Trust
• The Ron Ball Charitable Trust
• The Ruth Petty Trust
• The Trusts Charitable Foundation
• Thomas George Macarthy Trust
• Timaru Construction
• Toll Tranzlink
• Toni Swan MEM QSM
• Trust House Charitable Trust
• Trust Waikato
• W Duncan Bickley Trust Fund
• WEL Energy Trust
• William Downie Stewart Charitable Trust
• Win Skellerup Library Trust

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Get involved with the Foundation

Every year nearly 1200 New Zealanders become RNZFB members after experiencing sight loss.

With about 11,700 members we have an annual operating budget of $26 million, but only one third of this comes from government sources. We rely on generous public support for the other $17.3 million.

With the help of the public, we can continue to give blind and partially sighted New Zealanders the skills and support to do everyday things, like getting from home to work, cooking dinner or surfing the net.

People help in all kinds of ways, whether they donate time or money. They become volunteers, make one-off or regular donations, sponsor guide dog puppies or talking books, or leave lasting gifts in bequests or wills.

To support the Foundation call 0800 DONATE (366 283) or visit our website

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