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As one of New Zealand's leading employers, we believe that if we celebrate the diversity of our own people, we can empower them to bring their whole selves to work and unlock their potential. This enables us to better understand and meet the diverse needs of our customers and all New Zealanders.
View moreSpark Foundation is the charitable organisation for Spark New Zealand, taking the lead in delivering Spark’s community work. The Foundation’s vision is that no New Zealander is left behind in a digital world. Its mission is to accelerate towards digital equity, including access, skills, capabilities and wellbeing in the digital age.
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Our mission is to accelerate towards digital equity.
About the Spark Foundation
Spark Foundation was established in 2011 and is the charitable organisation for Spark New Zealand. Spark Foundation’s vision is that no New Zealander is left behind in a digital world and its mission is to accelerate towards digital equity. It does this by focussing on three strategic pillars: Digital access, digital skills and pathways and digital wellbeing.
Spark Foundation funds people and community groups that are working on initiatives that align with its strategic priorities and vision. Most, but not all, are youth focused programmes that serve and support the next generation of digital leaders.
The Foundation is a charitable trust with a Board of Trustees, including independent community representatives and members of the Spark team. The Foundation has a values-based community engagement model, based on the values of Tūhuno, Whakamana, Māia, and Matomato.
In the year to June 2021, the Spark Foundation invested $1.18m in partnerships that support digital equity.
The Foundation is also a founding member of the Digital Equity Coalition for Aotearoa (DECA).
Digital Equity
It is estimated that up to 1 in 5 New Zealanders may be experiencing digital exclusion in some way, and we understand approximately 200,000 households do not have access to the internet.
Our digital equity efforts are guided by the Government’s Digital Inclusion Blueprint, which identified four elements of digital inclusion – motivation, access, skills, and trust.
We recognise we cannot solve this challenge alone, and we have developed meaningful partnerships across the community sector and industry to drive long-term change.
To learn more about our commitment to digital equity click here.
Skinny Jump
Skinny Jump is a heavily subsidised wireless broadband service for people who find cost a barrier to getting connected.
We're partnered with the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa (DIAA) to deliver Skinny Jump as part of its national Stepping UP digital literacy programme, and over 300 DIAA community partners provide Jump to the community.
Skinny Jump is a highly flexible prepaid scheme with no contracts or credit checks, plus a free modem. 15GB of data is provided free each month, and costs $5 for 30GB thereafter – up to a maximum of $25 for 150GB a month.
With our partner Ciena we are providing Jump at no cost to low-decile school students during 2021 and 2022.
Go to the Skinny Jump homepage
Partnerships
Spark Foundation has a proactive and strategic philanthropic approach. This means we don’t operate a set funding submission date but proactively work with people and organisations who are creating impact and change in the areas of Digital Access, Digital Skill & Pathways and Digital Wellbeing.
Around 80% of our funding goes towards multi-year partnerships with the remainder offered as smaller grants and seed funding. The majority of our investment is towards youth with focus on supporting the next generation of Māori and Pasifika digital thinkers.
Our current partnerships include:
Digital Access
- Skinny Jump (see above)
- RAD: Recycle a Device
Digital skills and pathways
- Hihiko
- Pūhoro
- Take 2
- Digital Future Aotearoa
Digital wellbeing
We are also funders of PACE: Porirua Access Connectivity and Education.
If you want to chat to the Spark Foundation team about funding, please send an email to sparkfoundation@spark.co.nz and provide a bit of information about you or your organisation and how the work you’re doing supports digital equity.
Meet the Spark Foundation team
Kate Thomas
Spark Foundation Lead
Kate has worked for not for profit and community groups on a voluntary basis since high school and has enjoyed being able to immerse herself into the philanthropic sector through this role. She is particularly interested in sustainable business models, community empowerment and exploring different methods that purposefully disrupt traditional governance, delivery and evaluation.
When not at work, Kate can be found honing her negotiation and debating skills with 9-year-old son Leo. Kate was born in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), studied in Pōneke (Wellington) and now lives in the suburb of Owairaka in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) with husband Andrew, Leo and Scout the whippet.
Heni-Paku Sharp
Community Engagement Lead
“Trust and tūhonotanga (connection) are important to me. Spark Foundation values community voices and leadership. I love being part of a very passionate team who bring a multitude of skills and expertise on this journey together.”
When she’s not in this space she’s indulging in the quiet of her rural sanctuary in Waikato. She's a māmā to her 9 and 10 year old - committed to their Reo Rua (bilingual) learning, their fur babies, and nurturing her creative interests with husband, Andrew.
Mary Churchward
Programme Lead
Within that time away, she delved into different industries but more so, focused in on other parts of her life. Her love for fitness and mental wellbeing and more time spent with her aiga (FOE – Family Over Everything). As a side hustle and hobby, she’s a Coach and one of her favourite lines is “No Rep”.
Mary has 20 years’ experience in Operations, Project and Administration Management. She originally joined the Spark Foundation whānau back in 2014 as the Operations Lead. Mary’s passion is simple: Be kind and be generous. “It’s an honour to be in this role. It has made me the happiest being able to give back to our communities. I believe many hands make light work and that together we can help everyone in Aotearoa unleash their full potential."
Ania Kopanicka
Treasurer, Spark Foundation Board
“I am lucky enough to have this opportunity to be part of Spark Foundation and see and hear first-hand all the great work that’s being done in our communities”.
Ania has 10 years’ experience in the Financial Industry and is a qualified Chartered Accountant and part of the CA ANZ Institute. Prior to joining Spark Ania held Finance Business Partner roles at Sovereign, ASB Bank and BNZ.
When not at work, Ania can be found enjoying the outdoors with her 2-year-old daughter, husband Brendon and labradoodle Lexi. Ania was born in Poland and has been in New Zealand (Auckland) since she was 9 years old.
The Spark Foundation Board
Andrew Pirie
Chair
Andrew is one of New Zealand's most experienced communications professionals with an extensive international background. He returned to New Zealand in 2008 after more than a decade overseas as Asia Pacific head for Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s biggest PR consulting firms.
In recent years Andrew has acted as an advisor for significant New Zealand companies including Fonterra and Auckland Airport. His industry experience spans a wide range of sectors including financial services, aerospace, technology, property, healthcare, energy and tourism.
Stacey Morrison
Trustee
She's also been extensively involved in the charitable sector. Supporting learning is where Stacey's passions and the Spark Foundation's objectives converge. Stacey works to champion Te Reo and active learning inside the home; alongside her husband Scotty, has co-authored a book 'Māori at Home: a guide for everyday families'.
Stacey draws on her extensive experience in the charitable sector as an Ambassador for several organisations including the children's charity Variety, NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, Water Safety New Zealand and formerly as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.
Lotu Fuli
Trustee
She is proud of the many initiatives she and her board members have championed, including the establishment of the Youth Council, waste management programmes such as Neat Streets, building community connectedness and inclusion through the Diversity Forums and Festival and providing facilities that her community can thrive in. These include Te Puke Ō Tara Community Centre, OMAC, the Clover Park Community House the local libraries and swimming pools.
Vanisa Dhiru
Trustee
During her career Vanisa has held various leadership roles including CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, Executive Director of 20/20 Trust and President of the National Council of Women NZ. Based in Wellington, she is a member of the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Global Network, and the Manawatū regional Te Aho Tāmaka Leadership Programme.
Vanisa's key achievements include being listed on the "50 Women of Achievement 2016"; supporting a NGO delegation to the United Nations in 2019; and being a finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year in 2010. She has been an Executive Judge for the NZ Awards since 2011
Leela Gantman
Trustee
Prior to joining Spark Leela was Head of Communications at Fletcher Building, and before this External Relations Director at beverages group Lion in Australia. As Spark’s Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director Leela is responsible for reputation management, internal communications, government, industry, and community engagement, sustainability strategy, and the charitable activities of the Spark Foundation.
Leela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Technology Sydney.
Kelly Baxter
Trustee
Prior to joining Spark in 2017, Kelly worked with global retailer Tesco in the UK, where she also completed post-graduate study at the University of Oxford. Kelly has been active in the pro-bono legal space, including spearheading Tesco’s Community Law Centre partnership.
Zelda Yates
Trustee
She has worked within high-risk youth facilities and more recently local community work. She is a very proud Spark Foundation ambassador and has been able to contribute over the years, through combining her professional skills with her love for the community through projects like Givealittle, The Electric Garden and the Jump subsidised broadband programme.
Zelda uses her time away from the office being immersed in her community through her role on a school Board of Trustees, getting involved in local fundraisers and being an active part of our community wherever the need is.
Martin La'a
Trustee
Currently an Agile Coach, Martin partners with business units across Spark to help them realise excellence in ways of working and delivering outcomes.
Martin is a proud son of South Auckland and was raised by a solo mother who he credits as ‘Superwoman.’ His purpose is founded on the Samoan value of tautua – service to others. He is passionate about equity and meaningful opportunities for our Māori and Pasifika rangatahi, supporting initiatives like Hatch, First Foundation, and working with his old high school Mangere College.
