It’s Save the Kiwi Week — our national awareness campaign to shine a spotlight on kiwi conservation, and the many people and organisations who make it possible.
I often joke with the team that I want to fill a picnic hamper with products from our wonderful sponsor whānau: chocolate (Whittaker’s — check!), wine, cheese… we’re working on it.
But behind the humour is a serious truth: our sponsors play a vital role in kiwi conservation. And while they genuinely believe in the cause, we know partnerships have to make business sense, too. Whether it’s brand alignment, employee engagement, or long-term visibility, corporate sponsorship must contribute to a company’s success, just as it contributes to ours.
At Save the Kiwi, we’re lucky to have a loyal group of corporate partners who truly invest in our mission. And, personally, I believe in supporting those who support us. So, I thought I’d use this blog to share how that shows up in my own day-to-day life. Some of these partnerships are current, some are past, but they’ve all earned my loyalty. And while I can’t support ALL of our sponsors (I don’t have space or need for a Royal Wolf container at home), I know that many of the Save the Kiwi team are also supporting our range of partners.
Brands I Choose Because They Back Kiwi
- Gallagher – Our home, contents, life, and income protection insurance is all with Gallagher.
- Millennium Hotels – My go-to when I travel and need a roof over my head. Great supporters.
- Withers Tsang (PKF) – My personal accountant, and the original connection to our broader PKF partnership.
- Whittaker’s – I don’t need much convincing to choose their chocolate, but their decade-plus of support (including the return of the iconic chocolate kiwi in 2026) means I’ll always reach for their block first.
- Trade Me – I’ve sold and bought plenty via Trade Me, rounding up success fees as a donation to Save the Kiwi.
- Kuwi the Kiwi – These delightful children’s books have become a staple gift for the little people in my life.
- Comvita Honey – The sweetener of choice in our household.
Although the following organisations don’t directly support Save the Kiwi any longer, they have inspired my support and loyalty.
- TSB – Our mortgage is with TSB. They came on board as a sponsor right as my partner and I were buying our home. I’m confident they’ve more than recouped their sponsorship investment via interest payments on our Auckland-sized loan!
- Pet Direct – We’ve been on auto delivery with Pet Direct for pet food and supplies since their time as a sponsor.
- Simplicity – Both my partner and I have our KiwiSaver with Simplicity. I love that they invest in NZ and that their support helped fund our kiwi crèche.
- Mazda – I still drive a Mazda, a legacy of the Mazda Foundation providing us with two vehicles during their sponsorship.
And finally…
- Save the Kiwi – I’ve been incredibly lucky to make a living doing work I care deeply about. I’m so committed to this cause that I’ve included a gift to Save the Kiwi in my Will — a final way to give back to the organisation that’s given me so much.
Why This Matters
I wanted to share this as a heartfelt thank you to the businesses who support us — and to show that your sponsorship makes a real-world impact beyond conservation. You’ve earned a customer for life.
And to anyone reading: if you support a brand because of the causes they back, let them know! It matters more than you think.
Michelle Impey, CEO
