NZ POST

NZ Post has been connecting New Zealanders for over 180 years – going that extra mile every day to make sure they are the first choice when it comes to delivering what all New Zealanders care about.

With a reach that is unrivalled, NZ Post is today a vibrant, profitable organisation operating in hundreds of communities, employing thousands of New Zealanders, and working together to achieve great results for NZ Post customers.

Whether delivering essential goods, helping businesses connect with customers, or sending a loved one something special,
NZ Post brings New Zealand closer together – all while putting the world within reach. 

Bell Gully is committed to making meaningful contributions to initiatives that support the well being of our communities, and the positive growth and development of people within them. They have provided Downlights and The Downlights Charitable Trust with pro bono legal work since 2021 and have further supported us by choosing our candles as a corporate gifting option on numerous occasions

Our Downlights crew are the most important part of Downlights and the reason we started the business. Each crew member is onboarded and taught skills at a pace that works for them as a valued individual.

Part of being a great employer is paying our staff well and we do this from the first day of employment for every crew member.

This is why we are so delighted to be recognised as an accredited Living Wage Employer.

A Living Wage Employer is recognised as paying all direct employees (staff) and indirect employees (contractors, suppliers) the NZ living wage or greater under fair working conditions.

We are proud to be fwd: certified. The fwd: certification mark demonstrates our credibility to Buyers.
It means we have gone through fwd:’s certification process and they are confident that we have met their definition of a social enterprise.

A social enterprise is a purpose-driven business that trades to deliver social, cultural and/or environmental impact.

The definition fwd: uses to certify defines a social enterprise as an organisation that:
• Has a primary social, cultural and/or environmental mission;
• Generates the majority of its revenue through trade;
• Spends the majority of its expenditure and/or profit on the fulfilment of its purpose.

The Lindsay Foundation’s main focus is to support individuals and organisations in New Zealand who make a positive impact specifically, but not limited to, the areas of animal welfare, children, disabilities and health.

To learn more about the Lindsay Foundation or to apply for funding, visit:  https://www.lindsayfoundation.co.nz/

LIFE EDUCATION TRUST

Mid 2019 sparked a special collaboration between Downlights and Life Education Trust, born out of mutual passions for caring for the greater community. “Harold” the giraffe is a powerful mascot and part of the brilliance of an iconic NZ charity that began in 1987 with the vision to “enable children to reach their full potential and to educate and inspire generations to embrace positive choices for a healthy mind and body”, states current Chairman, Lance Hutchinson.

Downlights is proud to provide Life Education Trust with a small range of bespoke “Harold” candles made by the Downlights Crew. Proceeds from the sales of these limited edition candles help fund work packs for NZ children after their visit with Harold.

To support this necessary charity you can purchase one of our fabulous candles by visiting the following website https://www.harold.co.nz/downlights or you can make a direct donation to Life Education Trust:
https://www.harold.co.nz/help-harold-help-kids

THE LUCY FOUNDATION

Established in 2014, The Lucy Foundation (TLF) is a Kiwi social enterprise that is transforming the global coffee industry through inclusive, ethical, and environmentally regenerative trade.

TLF's first project is based in Pluma Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Mexico, where they are working with indigenous coffee-farming families and disabled people to regenerate the environment while developing a culture of inclusivity and empowerment through the production of specialty Pluma coffee beans. The coffee is shipped to Aotearoa New Zealand by John Burton Ltd, and lovingly roasted by Able Coffee Collaborative - both organisations who also support disability rights, inclusion and diversity. Together with their partners, TLF have helped to create what is believed to be the world's first entirely inclusive value chain of coffee - from farmer (Mexico) to consumer (Aotearoa). Not only is their coffee delicious (2020 cupping score of 86), but it also cares for people and the environment.

The best way to support TLF is to purchase their coffee for your home and workplace. For every 1kg of coffee sold, $5 is donated back into disability rights projects. And if coffee isn't your thing, TLF also accepts donations through their website: www.thelucyfoundation.com

MOXIE

Recreate NZ launched the MOXIE (Meaningful Opportunities X’ing Into Employment) initiative in 2016. MOXIE is a series of projects that provide skill-based training and meaningful work experience for youth with disabilities who are leaving the schooling system with vastly limited opportunities. The programme aims to equip school leavers with the skills needed to transition into employment and works in collaboration with established businesses to enable practical industry based learning. 


MOXIE is going from strength to strength with the initiatives and opportunities they are offering the young people, one example of this is the collaboration with Downlights NZ. By partnering with Downlights NZ, the programme is empowering young people to develop self-determination, control over their lives and a sense of achievement and purpose. The participants are encouraged to do their own planning and contribute their thoughts to the business, whilst also being supported to master the skills needed to work in this industry. This is hugely beneficial as it gives the young people drive for the work they are doing and encourages a sense of ownership over their work.