Major Sponsors for the 2012 Top Energy Northern Crossing Multi-sport Challenge

Top Energy

Far North electricity generation and lines distribution company, Top Energy has entered into a 3-year Major Sponsor arrangement with Kerikeri Rotary Club to support a high-profile fundraising event called the Northern Crossing Multi-sport Challenge. Money raised is to be split equally between Northland's Electricity Rescue Helicopter (which is also directly sponsored by Top Energy) and the Rotary Club's local youth programmes.

Funds in support of Electricity Rescue Helicopter will go to Northland Emergency Service Trust, (which operates the independent rescue helicopter service) to help fund standing costs, including helicopter pilots' wages, flight crew training, insurance, and interest on loans.

According to Top Energy CEO, Russell Shaw, the Northern Crossing will be an event involving a broad swathe of the Far North community - as it traverses Northland from the West Coast to the East Coast and all places in between. "Starting at Hokianga's South Head and finishing at the historic Stone Store landing in Kerikeri, the event will involve communities across the district. This will include bringing people together right across the course, as organisers involve schools, scout troops and other community groups in running refreshment stands, barbeques and other support services", he says.

Top Energy believes the Northern Crossing fits well with other community and fundraising sponsorships it supports. Says Shaw, "We've been Official Sponsor of the Electricity Rescue Helicopter since 1988. In that 20 years or so, we've helped Northlanders raise more than $3.5 million in support of Northland Emergency Services Trust, which runs the emergency rescue service. So, we see sponsoring this event as a natural extension to our community fundraising efforts for the Electricity Rescue Helicopter.

According to Shaw, added benefits from the Northern Crossing Multi-sport Challenge are; that a large cross section of the Far North community will have hands-on involvement in fundraising; participation in the event itself will encourage health benefits as competitors train and compete and the Far North's spectacular scenery and places to visit will attract media exposure and consequently new people to the region.

The Top Energy Group also supports a number of other community, fundraising and educational sponsorships. These include:

Watersafe - which teaches primary school children graduated learn to swim and personal water survival skills.

In 2005, Top Energy's WaterSafe Programme was officially recognised by New Zealand's national water safety body, Watersafety New Zealand, as creating the benchmark for teaching children how to swim and keep safe around water. The following year, the programme received the New Zealand Recreation Association's Outstanding Programme Award.

This year, entering its 12thconsecutive season, the WaterSafe Programme looks set to commemorate yet another unique milestone – celebrating its 100,000th lesson contact with Far North primary school children!

Young Enterprise Scheme, Northland - Partnering with The Lion Foundation in 2009, Top Energy is sponsoring the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) for Northland secondary schools.

YES is part of the broader Enterprise for Education Programme supported by Enterprise Northland, to foster an enterprise culture in secondary schools, by focusing the curriculum in a way where students can see the relevance of their learning – and to help them develop into enterprising people.

Top Energy has long been a sponsor of various E4E Programme elements in the Far North region, but this is the first time the Company has sponsored an educational programme reaching the whole Northland region.

YES Northland is a year-long, experiential business learning programme, where year 11 through 13 students form start-up companies, become directors and follow their own business plans to develop products/services which they market and sell. The students, as YES Company Directors, create real products and services, earn real money, pay real tax and hopefully make profits.

The Far North Science & Technology Fair – believing the Fair to be an effective, hands-on way to promote science and technology to Far North secondary school students, Top Energy has now sponsored this annual event for 8 successive years.

Open to Years 7 through 13 students and covering any area of science or technology, students are encouraged to choose an exhibit topic which challenges their imagination and encourages development of investigative and problem-solving life skills.

The Fair is well supported by the region's secondary schools, with high levels of student interest and participation. The standard of the exhibits is also high. So much so that, from time to time, students have gone on to represent the Far North at the Royal Society's national science and technology event, "Realise the Dream". Over the years, several senior prize-winning students have also taken their interest in science and technology through in to their tertiary studies.

Electricity Rescue Helicopter - Every year since 1988, Official Electricity Rescue Helicopter Sponsor Top Energy has jointly underwritten and funded high-profile annual fundraising appeals, in support of the Northland Emergency Services Trust's (NEST) Electricity Rescue Helicopter service.

In 2006, Top Energy and joint Official Sponsor, Northpower agreed to further match the publics' Appeal donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum $150,000 each year.

100% of all funds raised in the annual Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeals go to NEST, to help fund the standing costs of operating the rescue service, including helicopter pilots' wages, flight crew training, insurance, and interest on loans.

In the 20 or so years the annual Appeals have run, Top Energy has helped the Northland community raise more than $3.5 million, to help keep this vital emergency rescue service in the air.

Tall Poppy Business Awards – Since 2003, Top Energy has committed to fostering business excellence throughout the Far North region, by sponsoring the annual Tall Poppy Business Awards.

Designed to encourage, recognise and celebrate outstanding business achievement across the Far North region, the Awards are highly regarded and well supported by the business community.

Awards entry categories included Trusts / Charities & Not-for-profit Organisations, Emerging Business, Tourism & Hospitality, Service Industry, Retail, Manufacturing & Primary and Building, Construction & Development.

The Awards entries are judged by an independent Judging Panel, under strict business criteria including, business development, marketing, systems & processes, growth and leadership. The critical business analysis, which is a key part of the Top Energy Tall Poppy Business Awards entry process, helps entrants to take a disciplined look at their business and to focus on developing their core strengths and competitive advantage.

To find out more about the Top Energy Group, visit their website.

BP Kerikeri

BP Kerikeri is pleased to support the Rotary Club of Kerikeri and their many helpers in staging this event. We’re very keen to encourage non-competitive teams to accept the challenge. For this reason we’re pleased to see the inclusion of the 'Four Fun' teams division for 2012 in this important regional sporting challenge. Come on 'have a go!'

Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands

The Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands is honoured and proud to be involved as a sponsor of this fantastic Northland event. Part of our mission statement is the support of Northland businesses and communities in the development of our region as a prime destination, and this event is and will become a pivotal part of this process. We look forward to working with Kerikeri Rotary Club in the years to come in being a sponsor for this amazing opportunity to promote Northland

Offering a superb waterfront location in the heart of the Bay of Islands, with uninterrupted views across the bay to Russell, surrounded by 60 acres of lush subtropical gardens and part of the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Featuring a spectacular free form lagoon style swimming and spa pool, this 4 Star Enviro Gold Qualmark Hotel, Resort and Conference centre offers the ideal Northland Escape.

With 180 guests rooms, including 4 suites all featuring individual patio or balcony. Rooms provide a serene escape, with designs inspired by nature. Offering a choice of bay, estuary or garden views, the Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands provides the standard of accommodation expected from an international hotel and resort. Onsite facilities include: Re:condition massage studio, tennis court, mountain bike hire and courtesy shuttle to downtown Paihia.

Apart from those wishing to visit the scenic golf course, participate in some of the best big game fishing in the world, experience the wonder of native bush walks, the Bay of Islands is a thrilling aquatic playground for all ages.

The Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Bay of Islands is proud to be a member of the Activate Northland working to assist Northland businesses and communities to maximize and manage the sustainable economic benefits of increased visitor numbers through partnership. And a founding corporate member of Project Island Song - an initiative to rid the island of vermin, the planting of native trees and bush to encourage the return of native birds to the islands

Downer EDi Works

Far North District Council

The Far North District Council is pleased to be a supporter of this exciting new Northland event, which is very consistent with our plans to promote the district’s economic development and encourage people to live, work and invest in the fabulous Far North. To this end, the council has recently supported a national provincial rugby match at Kerikeri Domain and sponsored the Ocean Swim Series inaugural Paihia to Russell swim. Both of these events were highly successful and we are confident that this first Northern Crossing Multisport Challenge and supporting Duathlon will quickly grow into a “must do” event on the national triathlon/duathlon circuit. The council congratulates the volunteers who have organised this inaugural event and will do what it can to help them ensure the participants and supporters receive a warm welcome to the Far North.

Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands

Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands is one of the founding tourism operators in the Bay of Islands. We trace our roots back to 1886, where the first island deliveries took place. By 1927 the first tourism cruise was established which still operates today as the original Cream Trip. Today we operate the most comprehensive range of tours and cruises in Northland. With the largest fleet of modern vessels and coaches, customer comfort and safety are paramount. With some of the warmest waters in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is a natural wonderland where you can encounter bottlenose and common dolphins, whales, seals, penguins and a diverse range of birdlife.

Experience it to the full with a visit to the awe-inspiring Hole in the Rock, swim with dolphins, take an exhilarating fast boat adventure ride on the Excitor or journey to the culturally and historically rich Hokianga. Travel further north and experience the thrill of driving along Ninety Mile Beach, sandboarding down the giant sand dunes and standing on the windswept tip of New Zealand, while watching the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide. Northland’s subtropical climate makes it the perfect destination to explore throughout the year. With plenty to do, great local wine, exquisite food, warm hospitality and outstanding scenery, it is a region rich in history and culture, one that is not to be missed.

We are delighted to support the Rotary/Top Energy Northern Crossing multisport event and wish all the participants a fantastic experience!

Hunter Cycles

McFadziens Pharmacy

McFadziens

We are very happy to be one of the sponsors this inaugural event. The Kerikeri Rotary Club work hard within the community and money raised from this event will support many of their projects, particularly those involving youth. We commend them for their hard work and dedication to providing such service.
McFadziens Pharmacy and Kodak Express.

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New World Kerikeri

As a locally owned and operated supermarket we take pride in our community and enjoy supporting events that promote the Far North district. The Top Energy Northern Crossing is particular deserving of sponsorship as it is an event which encourages people to enjoy the outdoors whilst achieving their personal goals. It is great to see an event like this in the Bay of Islands and Kerikeri New World is proud to be a part of it.