Congratulations -- and a cheque
ASB has congratulated Jason Witehira, owner/operator of Auckland’s Victoria Park New World supermarket, for his contribution to Northland organisation Tu Tangata Roopu, which supports former prisoners, and has gifted $5000 to the organisation.
Mr Witehira featured in ASB’s latest business banking campaign, celebrating the success of local companies, and received $5000 from the bank for a charitable organisation.
ASB Northland regional manager Glen Hardham says it was a special day, knowing the donation would make a difference.
“Our focus at ASB is on progress for all New Zealanders, which is why we featured some of our successful businesses, like Jason at New World, in our latest campaign,” he said.
“We wanted to say thanks to them for their contribution in a way that would also help give back to the community. Donating money to a charity or organisation of their choice was a great way for us to do that. We’re really proud to be able to help Jason pay it forward.”
Mr Witehira said Tu Tangata Roopu, which focused on changing the lives of men and women who had been in prison and supporting their families, was already making a difference in the wider Northland community.
“I chose this group to receive the funding because in the short time they have been going here in Kaikohe they have provided a paradigm shift amongst individuals and their families,” he said. “This out-reach goes beyond Kaikohe, and into surrounding towns in the Mid and Far North.
The group would soon be hosting a Christmas event for families and the donation would help make the day fun. Mr Witehira said he had had a “pretty good journey,” thanks to hard work and discipline.
He had been unemployed, and when a job came up through his uncle Grant, at New World in Kaikohe a week after he was married he told his family he was moving north.
“We moved to Kaikohe as 18 year olds and started our new journey with Colin Wilkinson,” he said. “I started cutting cabbages. We were here in Kaikohe for a few years before moving over to New World Kerikeri, where I started work for Russ Wilkinson. It was actually Russ who pulled me aside one day and said to get my hair cut, get rid of that gang chip on my shoulder and stop feeling sorry for myself. He said I could actually do quite well for myself if I thought about it. Over those 30 years I have had a supportive wife and family, and have had an amazing journey through the business world.”
He bought his first New World store in 1998, and with four children and seven grandchildren, he understood why it was important to teach them about who they were and where they had come from.