Zespri is to contribute a total of $30,000 to the Good Neighbour Trust as a gold sponsor, helping its work in delivering food and firewood for people in need and creating community gardens in Tauranga and the wider area.

Zespri will contribute $10,000 a year for three years to Good Neighbour, adding to its annual funding for community projects.

The partnership was formalised at a low-key event in Good Neighbour's Tauranga headquarters last week.

Zespri general manager for grower and external relations Dave Courtney says Zespri is proud to support Good Neighbour in their valuable work.

'Good Neighbour is a wonderful local organisation, involving many volunteers who dedicate their time to help people and transform communities. Zespri's success as a business is intertwined with the strength of our local communities, which makes this partnership an excellent fit.”

The Good Neighbour Trust opened in February 2013 and today supports around 45 local charities and community centres, such as Tauranga Foodbank, Women's Refuge and Maketu Health and Social Services.

Trust Manager and co-founder of the organisation Campbell Hill says Zespri's support is hugely appreciated.

'This sponsorship will help us bring together people in our own communities to make our local neighbourhoods a better place to be, support those who are struggling, share resources and build relationships.”