District Project

District 16 Projects

Each biennium District 16 selects a District Project – one which has relevance for all members nationally and which aligns with Zonta International’s vision of empowering women and girls.

The District Project for the 2020 – 2022 and also 2022 – 2024 biennium’s is the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (GRG). 

Details of this project are set out below. The District 16 Project Co-ordinator is Irene McPherson. Contact Irene projectd16@zonta.org.nz

Prior District Projects have included:

2022 – 2024 Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenTM Trust NZ (GRG)
2020 – 2022 Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenTM Trust NZ (GRG)
2018 – 2020 Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa
2016 – 2018 Sophie Elliott Foundation
2014 – 2016 Sophie Elliott Foundation
2012 – 2014 New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation
2010 – 2012  Endometriosis New Zealand
2008 – 2010  Endometriosis New Zealand
2006 – 2008  Teen Parent Units in Schools
2004 – 2006  Teen Parent Units in Schools
2002 – 2004  Teen Parent Units in Schools


Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG)

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ provides support services and caregiver Education programmes to over 5,200 grandparent and whanau care families nationwide, representing over 8,500 caregivers and over 12,000 children in circumstances where they cannot be raised by their parents, and the only alternative is foster care.

In over 90% of these families, the grandmother is the primary caregiver and around a third of them are sole parenting, struggling on an annual household income of less than $30,000.

GRG’s vision and objectives are to empower grandparent care families with the vital support, information, advice, advocacy, and education they need to help them and the children and young people to achieve positive outcomes in their lives. With Zonta’s Support: GRG’s Simply Acquired & Learned Techniques™ for Grandparents (SALT) education programme provides practical insights and understanding of the impact of past trauma on children, who may also have troubling and challenging behaviour. The programme teaches them effective parenting strategies that promote healing and a sense of stability and security, so that these children and young people may have the best chance of achieving positive outcomes in their lives.

Te tautoko i nga tupuna, mokopuna me te whanau

Te awhina ia ratou ki te whakatutuki i nga putanga

Pai iroto i to raatau oranga.

L to R.

Pam White, D16 Governor Phillippa, Tusha Penny, David White, Kate Bundle CEO of GRG and Irene McPherson D16 District Project Chair 

L to R.

Zonta District 16 Governor 2020 – 2022 Desirae Kirby (Zonta Club of Rotorua), Kate Bundle CEO GRG, Family Abuse campaigner David White.


Download Resources

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (GRG)17th November 2020 Download File
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (GRG)11th March 2019 Download File
District Project: The Sophie Elliott Foundation (SEF)11th March 2019 Open Link
SEF Project Update (2016-09)14th October 2016 Download File
D16 SEF Information Sheet (September 2016)8th September 2016 Download File
SEF Project Update (2015-06)21st June 2015 Download File
SEF Project Update (2015-05)12th May 2015 Download File
SEF Project Update (2015-02)15th April 2015 Download File
Loves Me Not ODT Article (2014-11)13th November 2014 Download File
SEF Project Update (2012-11)8th November 2014 Download File
Project Coordinator Memo to Clubs (July 2014)18th August 2014 Download File
Zonta D16 Project Press Release (Jul 2014)3rd August 2014 Download File