THE WAKA PACIFIC TRUST REVEALS NEW NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER AND MAJOR SUPPORTER OF ITS COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS PROGRAMME IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU

From Monday 15th August, The Vodafone Event Centre will be known as the Due Drop Event Centre.

The newly established ten year partnership sees Due Drop Foundation become the anchor sponsor of the Waka Pacific Trust (who owns and operates the venue on behalf of the community) and its community and schools programme. The largest of its kind in New Zealand, the programme delivers world-class creative and performing arts courses to more than 204 schools and 51,000 engaged students from around Tāmaki Makaurau each year.

It’s a significant milestone for Due Drop Foundation which was founded in 2020 by philanthropist Fran Wyborn to assist those in need and create meaningful impact via intelligent giving. Over the past two years, the Foundation has invested in over 17 local initiatives that accelerate the most effective intervention and wrap-around programmes for disadvantaged New Zealanders.

The Waka Pacific Trust developed, owns and operates on behalf of the community the Events Centre which has established itself as the heart of the South Auckland community. For more than a decade, The Events Centre has hosted, welcomed and entertained more than 2.2 million guests from across the country and local communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new partner Due Drop Foundation and look forward to a successful future together providing high quality educational and arts experiences and ultimately better outcomes for local tamariki and rangatahi”, said David Comery, Chief Executive Waka Pacific Trust.

“We are delighted to give back to the community and work with Waka Pacific Trust to direct important funds that contribute to lifting Māori and Pasifika students’ educational and artistic achievement and performance,” said Richard Jeffery, Trustee & Chairman Due Drop Foundation.

“We have been impressed by the impact the Waka Pacific Trust schools programme has had in the local community to date and look forward to accelerating those positive outcomes for the tamariki and rangitahi of South Auckland”, concludes Richard Jeffery.