Mazda donates EV to driver training programme

Mazda Motors of New Zealand has donated an MX-30 electric vehicle to the Outwest Youth Community Trust to support its driver training programme, which has helped more than 1150 people gain their licences over the past decade.

The donation replaces the trust’s well-used Mazda Demio training car and addresses growing demand for driver education services in the South Kaipara region around Helensville.

“When we heard about the circumstances around Outwest’s Mazda Demio training car, straight away our team started thinking of ways to assist,” Mazda NZ managing director David Hodge says.

“For us it has been about ensuring the Drive Outwest programme can continue operating in a way that most supports both the trust and community.”

The Drive Outwest programme, operated by Te Awaroa Helensville’s Outwest Youth Community Trust, has established itself as a vital community service over its 10-year history. When the trust’s existing training vehicle needed replacement, community support prompted the creation of a Give-a-Little fundraising page.

Growing demand 

Hodge says discussions with the trust revealed the extent of demand for licence support in the region, leading Mazda to recognise that a simple replacement would not be sufficient.

“Once we started talking with Naomi and the team, we learnt just what a role Outwest Youth plays in the South Kaipara region. We also realised the extent of the demand for licence support, and that Outwest Youth didn’t just need a replacement car, they needed an additional one.”

The MX-30 will primarily support more advanced lessons within the Drive Outwest programme and will also be used by key staff for trust activities. The successful Give-a-Little campaign will enable the trust to purchase an additional training car to meet growing demand.

Naomi Bartley, Outwest Youth general manager, says the donation exceeded expectations while providing students with exposure to modern automotive technology.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of Mazda with the MX-30,” Bartley says. “We are also so grateful for the response to our fundraising efforts, especially from our local community of Te Awaroa Helensville who see what we do every day.”

The electric vehicle will serve multiple purposes for the trust, which covers a wide area of South Kaipara in its operations. Bartley says the MX-30 may provide many students with their first electric vehicle experience.

“Sustainability is such a key focus for everyone. The Mazda might be the first electric vehicle experience our students have ever had, so that’s exciting,” she says. “But during other times, we will also use the MX-30 for general operations as we cover a wide area of South Kaipara, so having an EV really lowers our emissions and vehicle running costs.”

Mazda will supply the MX-30 as a permanent addition to the driver training programme and Outwest Youth’s wider community activities, ensuring the programme can continue supporting licence seekers in the region.