Established in 2004, the PwC Foundation is our community engagement programme and is how our business brings to life the work that we do to help solve important problems in our local communities. Our vision is to leverage our skills, and our relationships with other businesses and the wider community to positively impact children’s wellbeing through quality education, and to advance governance in the NFP sector in Aotearoa.
The PwC Foundation brings together our firm’s activities and community involvement. It allows us to focus our efforts and make a lasting impact in our communities by harnessing the significant talent, enthusiasm and generosity of our staff throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our primary focus is on child wellbeing through a reading literacy programme in ‘high equity index’ (formerly ‘low decile’) schools. To support this, we offer Aho Kōrero - our very own published schools journal with our partnership schools nationally. We send our volunteers in to read with the tamariki in our partnership schools and promote literacy and donate journals to these schools during the reading visits.
Secondly, we focus on encouraging PwC staff to assume Not-for-Profit governance roles through the PwC On Board and Board Shadow programmes to improve governance across the Not-for-Profit sector.
We also support regional PwC offices and staff in their engagement with local charities, fostering a culture of community involvement and support.
Reading Programme
Putting literacy first
The PwC Foundation has created the PwC Schools Journal (Aho Kōrero, to deliver a reading programme in ‘high equity index’ schools (specifically for years 5/6 and 7/8). We provide quarterly journals of writing and art created by New Zealand children. Our staff use volunteer time to go into schools nationally, read the journals, and look at the creative artwork with the children. In 2024, 27 schools across Aotearoa New Zealand are participating in the programme.
We tailor the approach for each classroom to create a relaxed reading experience. When we go into a classroom, each PwC team member takes a small group of children to read and discuss the journals together.
Each term PwC donates the journals to the schools; one for each child in the class to take home and share with their whānau, and 30 to be shared across the school for everyone to enjoy. The children are encouraged to submit writing and artwork to be considered for publication in the journals which generates an additional aspirational element. We also provide teachers with both written and financial resources to encourage reading, writing and creative art work in their classrooms.
PwC On Board
What is it?
PwC On Board supports our people across the firm who want to secure a board or advisory role with a Not-for-Profit (NFP) in Aotearoa New Zealand. As professionals, we have a role to play in driving social change. This innovative programme aims to bridge the gap between corporate Aotearoa New Zealand and the NFP sector, enabling our people and their communities to work together. It is a practical and tangible way of bringing our firm’s purpose to life.
Through PwC On Board, our people use their professional skills to give back to the community, broaden their governance knowledge and networks, and contribute towards building more sustainable organisations. For the NFP’s and bodies they serve, they access the time, talent and networks of a broad range of professionals.
Download our brochurePwC On Board Shadow
What is it?
The PwC On Board Shadow programme is a national initiative, and part of our broader On Board programme, to help grow governance opportunities through shadowing and mentoring. We do this by pairing staff early in their careers to board ‘shadow’ opportunities in the Not-for-Profit sector.
Advantages of the programme include:
developing and fosters talent to help succeed at a governance level in tomorrow’s boardrooms
taping into a range of skills and sector experience to fit board requirements
helping address the experience gap faced by skilled younger professionals seeking to gain governance experience
providing insights into board dynamics
bringing a younger voice and perspective to the table.
Giving back to our communities
Volunteer Time
Reflecting our firm’s global purpose, PwC New Zealand is committed to driving positive social change through applying our skills to volunteering. We encourage our people to offer their time and expertise to our coordinated PwC Foundation skilled volunteering programmes. We also recognise our staff have their own connections with specific Not-for-Profit and community organisations and are supportive of individuals using volunteer time to support these organisations.
Payroll giving
Payroll giving enables all permanent and fixed term PwC employees to donate to the PwC Foundation directly from their monthly salary. It is that simple. Every dollar received goes to the primary schools who have adopted our Aho Kōrero programme, for practical educational needs.
Top up funding
The PwC Foundation supports the charity work of our people by topping up any money they raise by 25%. Whether they are completing a sponsored run or walk, growing a moustache or holding a bake sale, the PwC Foundation will top up their donation to their chosen charity.
PwC Foundation Champions Network
Our champions network helps us drive internal staff engagement and promote our PwC Foundation programmes, so more staff and partners contribute to our local communities.
Contact us
Joint Lead Trustees
Executive Director - Property, Infrastructure & Capital, Trustee - PwC Foundation , Auckland, PwC New Zealand
+64 21 521 974
Foundation Trustees
