Community Support Programme

Holcim supported schools in the Otorohanga, Westport, Waitaki, Christchurch, Franklin and Papakura regions, through the Paper4trees Carbon Reduction programme. Schools are supplied with a native tree or plant for every two cubic metres of paper and cardboard they recycle or keep from landfill. The group provide all the resources required for recycling including recycling bins for every classroom in participating schools.
In 2012 Holcim staff delivered trees to some of the schools in the Christchurch and Waitaki areas.

Construction of Westport's recreation & events complex at McDonald Park was supported by a significant contribution from Holcim New Zealand. The complex includes an aquatic centre, dry court facility, fitness centre, hockey turf, two squash courts and seminar and meeting rooms.

The U-Turn Trust provides an important link in helping their community in Flaxmere (Hastings) become stronger. They are involved in many local initiatives including the support of local sports clubs, health and exercise programmes, a community garden, and academies for helping the youth develop life skills and confidence. Holcim are proud to be associated with the U-Turn Trust, providing some sponsorship for their endeavours and volunteer labour from the Holcim Hastings Quarry.

The creation of a wetland and bird sanctuary on eight hectares of Holcim land at Cape Foulwind was announced in 2008 as a community project to mark the 50th anniversary of operations commencing at Westport Works. The wetland site, used for quarrying up until the 1960s, is being turned into a unique wetland habitat complementing existing conservation projects at Cape Foulwind. Features will include a series of small lakes, a walkway around the wetland, a bird hide, and interpretative panels explaining the wetland eco-system. Local school children and other community members are being given the opportunity to be involved in planting.

Holcim New Zealand has, since 2003, sponsored a part-time teaching and research position at the University of Canterbury School of Engineering. Professor Des Bull, who holds the position, is working with the building industry on concrete construction technologies.