Supporting the New Zealand Team

PlaceMakers is delighted to announce its support for the New Zealand Team as it prepares to take on the world at The Olympic Games in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024

PlaceMakers, which has a proud history of supporting the communities within which it operates, will work closely with the New Zealand Olympic Committee to roll out a plan of initiatives to bring the partnership to life, said Bruce McEwen, PlaceMakers Chief Executive – Distribution.

“It’ll include things like co-branded merchandise for our builders, local activation events, a new PlaceMakers Pathway programme and local sports club clean-ups through the PlaceMakers Foundation. All this will culminate in a major activation just before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

With values and culture that includes whakakoha (respect), ngākau pono (integrity), kairangatira (excellence), hautūtanga (leadership) and pohonui (pride), the New Zealand Team is committed to athlete engagement and representation.

Those are values that resonate with PlaceMakers, said McEwen.

“Over the past 12 months, we’ve been looking for a new national partnership opportunity which would resonate with our people and customers alike, no matter what age, gender or sporting preference; make us feel proud to be Kiwis and support a worthy cause and align with our values.

“We believe this sponsorship epitomises these desires, and we look forward to PlaceMakers playing an important role in empowering Kiwi athletes to represent our country and compete on the world stage, including the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Around 40% of athletes selected for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games were unfunded, including multiple medal winners, so external sponsorship is a crucial driver of the New Zealand Team’s success.

National representation

The New Zealand Team says that around 96% of New Zealanders are interested in following its athletes, with more than 30 sports represented including winter, summer, para-sports, teams and individuals. The competitors come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those with Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands, Fijian, Filipino, Chinese, Australian, European and African heritage.

PlaceMakers customers of all ages, races and genders can get behind the athletes, of which over 50% are women and 20% of Māori descent.

“Whilst customers’ needs will always be our primary focus, how we support the communities we operate in to build New Zealand is also an important part of who we are,“ added McEwen.

Regional heroes

With athletes from every part of the country, branches and customers from each corner of New Zealand can proudly root for a hometown hero, whether they’re on the West Coast (four athletes), in Southland (27 athletes) or Gisborne (10 athletes). Every area in New Zealand has played its part in contributing to the New Zealand Team’s complement of representatives.