Kupe Gas Project supports South Taranaki through Community Grants

Eleven South Taranaki community groups have benefited from the 2007 Kupe Community Grants.


The grants will this year support Bishop’s Action Foundation($3,200), Cape Egmont Lighthouse Trust ($2,000), Hawera Intermediate School ($7,500), Hawera Volunteer Ambulance Group ($7,500), Kiwi Clubhouse Learning Centre($5,200), Manaia and Districts Lions Club ($700), Manaia Volunteer Fire Brigade ($7,500), Ngaruahine iwi Maatua Whangai ($5,000), Rangitaawhi o te Taihauauru ($1,600), South Taranaki District Museum Trust ($2,300) and Surf Life Saving Taranaki ($7,500).


The Kupe Gas Project is now well on track and is poised to play an important role in New Zealand’s future energy supply.

Kupe Gas Project Director Peter Ashford said at today’s presentation that the Project had had exceptional community support. It wanted to give back by supporting projects that provide as much benefit as possible to people in South Taranaki.

“The awards are one of the ways that the Kupe Gas Project aims to support the South Taranaki region. We are grateful for the way the community has embraced us and it is important to us to reciprocate that support.”


The Kupe Gas Project received 50 applications for funding, which were assessed by a panel of judges in August. Panel members included local residents, local council representatives and Origin Energy.


Once on-line in 2009, the South Taranaki field is expected to produce 15% of New Zealand’s current annual gas demand, as well as producing LPG and light oil (condensate).


ENDS


Participants in the Kupe Gas Project are:

Origin Energy Resources (Kupe) Limited* 50% (Operator)

Genesis Energy 31%

New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited 15%

Mitsui E&P (New Zealand) Limited 4%

*a wholly owned subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited







About Origin Energy: With a history dating back 140 years, Origin Energy is a major Australian integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and production, energy retailing and power generation. Origin seeks to find, develop and produce gas and oil reserves strategically located close to energy markets and existing infrastructure. Its exploration portfolio in New Zealand includes both offshore and onshore acreage in the Taranaki Basin. Origin’s interest and operatorship of the Kupe Field is an example of the company’s efforts to secure and develop new producing assets in the region.



2007 Kupe Gas Project Community Grants Programme recipients


Recipient: Bishop’s Action Foundation, New Plymouth

Amount: $3,200.

Purpose: Funding will be used for their “critical friends initiative” which links not-for-profit groups. The initiative includes a training programme, peer mentoring and one-on-one support for community organisations.


Recipient: Cape Egmont Lighthouse Trust

Amount: $2,000.

Purpose: The Trust was formed to display the original prismatic light from the Cape Egmont Lighthouse. Funding will be used to design and install main highway signage, and for promotional and educational materials.


Recipient: Hawera Intermediate School

Amount: $7,500.

Purpose: Funding will be used to build an outdoor classroom to teach horticulture and biotechnology at the school.


Recipient: Hawera Volunteer Ambulance Group

Amount: $7,500.

Purpose: Funding will be used to purchase training equipment, books and CDs for study and research. Regular training and ongoing study will enable the ambulance service to provide the best possible first response care to the people of Hawera.


Recipient Kiwi Clubhouse Learning Centre

Amount: $5,200.

Purpose: Funding will be used to provide and install a sunshade for the Childcare Centre, so that children can play safely outdoors in summer.









Recipient: Manaia & Districts Lions Club

Amount: $700.

Purpose: Funding will be used to erect safety sides on a bridge on Manaia walkway.


Recipient: Manaia Volunteer Fire Brigade

Amount: $7,500.

Purpose: Funds will be put towards a new van for the Fire Police Unit, which supports fire fighters at incidents by, for example, managing traffic and bystanders, providing lighting, and salvage.


Recipient: Ngaruahine iwi Maatua Whangai

Amount: $5,000.

Purpose: Funding will be used for a youth holiday programme and youth development workshops for children and young people within the Ngaruahine iwi boundary. It will assist to keep costs down for families and improve the activities that can be offered.


Recipient: Rangitaawhi o te Taihauauru

Amount: $1,600.

Purpose: Funding will be used to purchase costumes for Kapahaka (Maori cultural) performances.


Recipient: South Taranaki District Museum Trust

Amount: $2,300.

Purpose: Funding will be used to purchase archival materials to conserve and protect historical collections for future generations.


Recipient: Surf Life Saving Taranaki

Amount: $7,500.

Purpose: Funding will allow 1,500 children from the Hawera/Manaia area to attend a beach education programme to keep them safe in the surf. The funding will enable the programme to be provided for free to children who have not previously attended because of the cost.